Off-Script Ohio: first-round chaos, Miami looming, and questions that will define Ohio State’s playoff run

Ohio State had the week off, but the college football world didn’t slow down. The opening round of the expanded College Football Playoff delivered a mix of chaos, confirmation, and warning signs, while the Buckeyes used the pause to regroup, absorb new information, and turn their attention to a New Year’s Eve showdown with Miami. With the bracket narrowing and margins shrinking, the conversation now centers on matchups, health, and whether Ohio State can clean up the areas that still linger as postseason concerns. The CFP’s first round quickly reminded everyone that point spreads and reputations mean little in December. Alabama became the first road team to win a first-round playoff game, rallying from a 17–0 deficit to beat Oklahoma 34–24 despite averaging just 1.1 yards per carry. The Sooners outgained Alabama by more than 100 yards, but turnovers and missed opportunities flipped the outcome, reinforcing a familiar postseason truth. Efficiency matters more than dominance. Alabama now advances to face Indiana, a matchup that raises serious questions about whether the Crimson Tide can function offensively if they’re forced into a pass-heavy script. Ole Miss made the strongest statement of the round, overwhelming Tulane 41–10 in Oxford. The game was effectively decided early, as the Rebels controlled both lines of scrimmage and cruised into a New Year’s Day meeting with Georgia. Oregon’s win over James Madison came with an asterisk of concern. The Ducks led 34–6 at halftime, then allowed 34 points and more than 500 yards, an alarming defensive performance even with backups involved. Oregon now heads into a coin-flip matchup with Texas Tech, a team built to punish defensive slippage. Miami’s 10–3 win over Texas A&M was the opposite of fireworks. It was a game defined by wind, missed field goals, and defensive pressure. The Hurricanes leaned on explosive runs and a dominant pass rush, recording seven sacks and sealing the game with a late interception at the goal line. It wasn’t pretty, but it was also telling that Miami is comfortable winning ugly, a trait that travels well into December. For Ohio State, Miami represents a very real stress test. The Hurricanes’ defensive front, led by Reuben Bain, is capable of wrecking games, and that reality looms larger with right guard Tegra Tshabola likely sidelined for the Cotton Bowl. Ohio State will need a steady combination of Gabe VanSickle and Josh Padilla to hold up against one of the most disruptive defensive lines left in the country. Protecting Julian Sayin and sustaining drives will be a must. At the same time, Miami’s offensive limitations present opportunity. Their struggles finishing drives, combined with reliance on explosive runs, mirror issues Ohio State’s defense has handled well for most of the season. If the Buckeyes control early downs and limit chunk plays, the matchup tilts toward a game Ohio State can dictate. For Ohio State, the formula remains unchanged. The Buckeyes have the talent, depth, and postseason experience to win it all. But the same themes keep resurfacing, red-zone execution, offensive line consistency under pressure, and maximizing possessions against elite defensive fronts. Those issues haven’t ended Ohio State’s season, yet, but the margin for error is now razor thin. With Miami ahead and a potential semifinal beyond that, Ohio State’s bye week has functioned less as a break and more as a final preparation. The answers will come quickly on New Year’s Eve, when preparation gives way to execution and the Buckeyes’ championship ambitions are tested under the brightest lights of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices