On December 31, 2026, the Ohio State Buckeyes will face off against the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl, part of the College Football Playoffs quarterfinals. As excitement builds for this anticipated clash, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has made a notable coaching adjustment that could impact the game.
Coaching Changes Announced
Head coach Ryan Day revealed that Brian Hartline will be on the field while Keenan Bailey will take on the role of play caller from the press box during the Cotton Bowl. This strategic shift indicates Day may be considering promoting Bailey to offensive coordinator at the end of the season.
In his comments, Day expressed confidence in the new arrangement: “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.” This approach aims to enhance communication and organization for the team during the high-stakes matchup.
Expert Opinions on the Matchup
The anticipation surrounding the game has attracted attention from notable figures, including former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban. Ahead of the competition, Saban offered insights into Miami’s strategy, stating, “I think Miami is going to have to do more on offense to beat Ohio State.” He emphasized that Miami’s previous performance against Texas A&M may not suffice in this upcoming challenge.
Saban elaborated on the need for Miami to adjust their offensive tactics: “They really played in the bag against Texas A&M. They played really good defense, and they just ran the ball.” He noted that against Ohio State, Miami will need to score more points and create explosive plays to secure a victory.
As both teams prepare for this pivotal encounter, emotions are running high. The Cotton Bowl promises to deliver an exhilarating spectacle as the Ohio State Buckeyes and Miami Hurricanes vie for a place in the next round of the College Football Playoffs. Football fans around the world are eager to see how these strategic adjustments will unfold on the field. With the stakes this high, the excitement surrounding this matchup could rival that of a New Year’s Eve celebration.