The Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up for a pivotal match against the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl, a quarterfinal game in the College Football Playoffs (CFP) scheduled for December 31, 2026. Head coach Ryan Day is making a significant coaching adjustment by announcing that Brian Hartline will be positioned on the field while Keenan Bailey will oversee play calls from the box. This strategic move is seen by many as a potential step towards promoting Bailey to offensive coordinator at the end of the season.
In addressing the coaching change, Day explained, “It looks like Brian and I will be down on the field. We will have Keenan go upstairs, and then Brian can really help — he’ll still be involved with everything we do. Everybody is involved with the play calling, and ultimately I’ll have the last say.” These remarks were reported by Chase Brown of Eleven Warriors, highlighting Day’s collaborative approach in preparing for the high-stakes game.
On the eve of the matchup, former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban weighed in on the contest. He emphasized that the Miami Hurricanes must enhance their offensive strategy to compete effectively against Ohio State. Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Saban stated, “I think Miami is going to have to do more on offense to beat Ohio State. They really played in the bag against Texas A&M. They played really good defense, and they just ran the ball and ran the ball.”
Saban continued by outlining what Miami needs to do to succeed: “But I think against Ohio State, it’s going to be a little different story in terms of how they’re going to have to score more points, make some explosive plays, sort of run the ball, but then have play-action passes and attack down the field some to try to create some explosive plays. They’ve got the quarterback to do it.”
As anticipation builds for this exciting New Year’s Eve clash, emotions are running high among players and fans alike. The Ohio State and Miami showdown promises to deliver a thrilling spectacle, as both teams aim to secure their place in the next round of the CFP. With both strategic adjustments and high-profile insights from notable coaches like Saban, the Cotton Bowl is set to be more than just a game; it’s an event that could define the season for both programs.
