The 2025-26 College Football Playoff continues on Wednesday with the much-anticipated quarterfinal matchup between the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes and No. 10 Miami Hurricanes.
Our experts from the Big Bets On Campus podcast have plenty of takes for NYE's CFP game.
Let's take a look at our College Football Playoff picks and NCAAF predictions for Ohio State vs. Miami in the second round of the CFP below.
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Ohio State vs. Miami Odds
| Miami Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 40.5 -110o / -110u | +280 |
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 40.5 -110o / -110u | -360 |
Collin Wilson's Pick: Miami +7 or Better
I project Ohio State as a five-point favorite in this game. The number opening up around 11 was a joke. I have no problem betting the Hurricanes at +7 or better.
The single biggest reason I think Miami covers against Ohio State is that the Hurricanes’ pass rush will dominate Ohio State’s offensive line.
Miami has the nation’s best pass rush, while Ohio State ranks 31st nationally in pass protection.
Let’s put that into real-life terms.
Indiana sacked Julian Sayin five times on 12 total pressures, a 41% pressure-to-sack ratio. That is extremely high — you should not have a pressure-to-sack ratio over 20%.
Indiana only ranks 12th nationally in pass rush.
I’m worried about Miami’s offense, which isn’t explosive — the key will be Mark Fletcher Jr. running the ball.
But the Hurricanes’ pass rush can keep this game low scoring and keep them within the number for 60 minutes.
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Stuckey's Pick: Max Klare Props
I’m going to look at Max Klare props for this game.
Miami will get pressure on Sayin, and the Hurricanes will likely show mostly two-high looks trying to prevent explosives against the nation’s best receiver duo.
So, I think that’s going to open up some things for Klare underneath, and I expect him to get a high target share in this game.
I also don’t think Ohio State will run the ball well against Miami, meaning the passing volume should be high.
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Duck's Pick: 1H Under 20 or Better
Miami can hang in this game by leaning on its talented front seven. That front seven should get home against Sayin.
On the other side of the ball, Ohio State has allowed 47 total points in the first half of games this season.
The pace of play should be slow, as Miami ranks 129th nationally in tempo while Ohio State ranks 136th. How many total possessions will we see from each team in the first half? Three?
The Buckeyes can create explosive plays, but they typically come in the second halves of games after wearing their opponents down in the first half with the run. I expect that trend to continue in this game.
This should be a slow-burning grinder in the first half — a war in the trenches.
Finally, these are two elite red-zone defenses. This game could be a field goal fest, especially early.
