With Miami and Ohio State set to meet in the CFP quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday night, Dec. 31, the prediction machine is rolling. And, at least so far, most national analysts are taking the Buckeyes to advance.
Miami is fresh off a 10-3 win at Texas A&M in the first round, while Ohio State has been off since the Big Ten championship game. The spread has hovered around Buckeyes -9.5.
Experts picking Ohio State to beat Miami
- Adam Rittenberg, ESPN: Ohio State 27, Miami 20
- Chris Hummer, 247Sports: Ohio State 27, Miami 20
- Brad Crawford, 247Sports: Ohio State 20, Miami 14
- Robby Kalland, CBS Sports: Ohio State 24, Miami 13
- David Pollack, "See Ball Get Ball" podcast: Ohio State
- Greg McElroy, "Always College Football" podcast: Ohio State (24-17)
- Michael Cohen, Fox Sports: Ohio State
- Iain MacMillan, Sports Illustrated: Ohio State (-9.5)
- Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus: Ohio State 21, Miami 14
- Dalton Wasserman, Pro Football Focus: Ohio State 27, Miami 10
- Shehan Jeyarajah, CBS Sports: Ohio State (-9.5)
Experts picking Miami to beat Ohio State
- Aaron Murray, "Mac & Murray" CFB show: Miami
- Danny Kanell, CBS Sports analyst: Miami
There is respect for Miami's defensive front and physicality, but skepticism that Miami's offense can score enough against the Buckeyes defense.
Experts picking Ohio State to win, but Miami to cover
A handful of analysts are leaning into the idea that Miami can drag this into the kind of low-scoring fight it just won at Texas A&M, even if they still pick Ohio State to advance. Plenty of analysts are picking Miami to cover, but these are the ones the specifically stated it.
- Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports: Miami +9.5
- Josh Pate, "Josh Pate College Football Show": Ohio State wins, Miami +9.5
Miami will get the chance to flip the script Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.