The Rundown Take
Cotton Bowl Instant Reaction: Miami 24, Ohio State 14 — 23 Years of Trauma, Healed
Nobody planned a postgame show. Then the Canes dethroned the defending national champions on New Year's Eve, and Devin and Larry Frank Jr. threw the doors open for an impromptu family celebration — complete with a rule that every caller had to be on camera and dance their way in.
Key Takeaways
- Miami 24, Ohio State 14 — avenging the title game from 23 years ago. As Devin put it: every time we heard the words Ohio State, we got disgusted. Tonight, we're healed.
- The Italian Stallion called the exact score on the hype show — 24-14, Miami by 10 — and came back to collect his flowers from Finebaum, Herbstreit and Galloway on principle.
- The defensive line lived in the backfield: five sacks, Bain and Mesidor unblockable early, and Ohio State's celebrated trenches exposed on national TV.
- Carson Beck played poised, mistake-free football — using his legs, extending drives, and shutting down the interception narrative for a night.
- Next up: the semifinal the following Thursday, January 8, against the Georgia–Ole Miss winner — with the championship waiting at Hard Rock.
The Message to Jeremiah Smith
Devin opened with the shot heard round the 305. Smith had said that if Miami had been winning, he would have signed with the Canes. The response wrote itself:
"Jump in the portal and come to Miami — cuz guess what? You at home, and we still playing."
Caller Jay piled on from the trenches perspective: all season it was Ohio State's number one defense this, Caleb Downs that — and the Jim Thorpe winner was invisible while Miami's committee of receivers, tight ends and backs took turns closing the door.
How the Game Actually Turned
Between celebrations, the hosts got analytical. Miami jumped out 14-0, weathered the third-quarter push everyone knew was coming, and finished when Shamar Brown came in late and made the catch that mattered — the by-committee approach the show has preached all season. Larry Frank's key from the night before held up: mistake-free football. Miami went essentially penalty-free while the hosts side-eyed officiating that let holds and pass interference go the other way. The concerns going forward: ball security for Malachi Toney after two fumbles, and injury watch on Mouton.
The Family Sounds Off
Rocky reminded everyone he'd defended Carson Beck for nine straight days. Chris Cane invoked history — they stopped Miami's repeat; Miami just stopped theirs. Even Matt, the resident Alabama fan, threw it up and conceded Miami by 10, exactly as he'd predicted. Lakers All Day landed the wisest line of the night: forget the revenge-tour narratives — the only get-back that matters is holding up the trophy in our house. And Uncle Fishman announced he'd be strolling into his post office shift in full Miami gear with a pimp cane, Dolemite style.
Nick Saban had warned them all: Miami would be the most dangerous team in the playoff. Recap Sunday at 11 Eastern, semifinal Thursday. Happy New Year — it's all about The U, baby.