The quarterfinals of the 2025-26 college football playoffs kicked off on Wednesday night with, arguably, the most anticipated game of the week when Ohio State took on the Miami Hurricanes. The legendary programs faced off in a bowl game for the first time since 2003, and they delivered an exciting battle that came down to the final minutes.
In the end, the 10-seed Hurricanes pulled off a huge upset over the 2-seed Buckeyes by the score of 24-14. Ending Ohio State’s dreams of joining the immortals in college football history by winning back-to-back championships. Let’s look at some of the biggest winners and losers from The U’s victory over OSU.
Loser: Ryan Day
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day remains a made man in Columbus after bringing the school a championship last season. However, he is sure to take a lot of criticism in the days ahead after his team’s loss. While they were able to overcome a shocking defeat to rivals Michigan late last year and win it all, they did not recover from their Big Ten Championship setback to Indiana a few weeks ago.
If they had lost in the semis or championship game, it would have been easier to stomach. However, after an absolutely dominant season where they were the best team in the nation all year, losing two straight to elite teams is sure to bring renewed — and likely unfair — heat on Day.
Winner: Mario Cristobal & Shannon Dawson
Mario Cristobal and his team received a lot of hate for getting a spot in the college football playoffs over Notre Dame. However, they continue to prove the CFP voting committee right. They went on the road and upset Texas A&M in the opening round of the playoffs. Then followed that up with one of the biggest victories in program history by upsetting, arguably, the best team in the nation.
Along with the Hurricanes’ head coach, Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson deserves a lot of love. The OSU defense was viewed as the best in the nation. An unstoppable force, you would be lucky to get points again. However, with the help of veteran QB Carson Beck, he was able to overcome the crimson and gray wall and lead the offense to 24 points in the win.
Loser: Julian Sayin
Julian Sayin has been outstanding all year for the Buckeyes. Fairly earning a spot among the Heisman Trophy finalists. However, in the biggest game of his career, he was just okay. And on a night where his defense wasn’t perfect, Ohio State needed the young quarterback to be the player he was all year.
The offense looked like it was coming back to life and regained all the momentum in the second half after being shut out in the first. However, with all the pressure on, he could not guide his team to victory like his predecessor, Will Howard, did last season. Fortunately for Sayin, he is just in the beginning of his college football journey and will get a chance to redeem himself the next two years.
Winner: Carson Beck
Was Carson Beck amazing on Wednesday night? No. But he played well when it mattered most and guided his team down the field in the final minutes to seal a massive victory. And that is why Miami gave him a record NIL deal earlier this year. He proved his big game chops twice over by helping to lead Georgia to a pair of championships. After two playoff games, he is proving worth every dollar the Hurricanes spent.
Loser: Ohio State’s Defense
Ohio State’s defense was one of the most dominant forces in college football this year. They were well coached and featured several players sure to go in the first couple of rounds of April’s NFL Draft. Yet, against the Hurricanes, in a huge game, they were human.
The most demoralizing part of the Buckeyes’ loss on Wednesday night is that they still had a chance late to get one more stop and give their offense another chance to win or tie the game. Yet, the uber-talented OSU defense completely folded and seemed to give up late in the fourth.
Winner: Miami Hurricanes Defense
OSU’s offense featured a Heisman Trophy candidate (Sayin), the best receiver in the game (Jeremiah Smith), and a potential first-rounder (Carnell Tate). Yet, despite the elite talent, Miami’s defense somehow shut them out over the first two quarters.
Then, with the momentum firmly behind OSU in the fourth quarter, the Hurricanes’ defense dug their fingers in the dirt, got ten toes down, and made massive stops when it seemed like a crimson and gray wave would overwhelm them. For all the talk about the Buckeyes defense, Miami’s D was the better unit on Wednesday night.
