Miami is on its way to the College Football Playoff Semifinal.
The No. 10 Hurricanes advanced in the CFP after downing No. 2 Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday.
Miami will now face the winner of No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss in the semifinal. Here’s a look at the updated bracket after Wednesday’s game.
No. 9 Alabama def. No. 8 Oklahoma, 34-24
No. 10 Miami def. No. 7 Texas A&M, 10-7
No. 6 Ole Miss def. No. 11 Tulane, 41-10
No. 5 Oregon def. No. 12 James Madison, 51-34
No. 10 Miami def. No. 2 Ohio State, 24-14
No. 5 Oregon vs. No. 4 Texas Tech (Noon ET, ESPN)
No. 9 Alabama vs. No. 1 Indiana (4 p.m. ET, ESPN)
No. 6 Ole Miss winner vs. No. 3 Georgia (8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Thursday, January 8 and Friday, January 9 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Monday, January 19 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
It was a defensive battle through the early going in Dallas, but two quick touchdowns from Miami made it 14-0 in the second quarter. The Hurricanes mounted a scoring drive to start the quarter and then took back a pick-six to get the momentum on their side.
After a lifeless first half, the Buckeyes finally got on the board to start the third quarter. Miami made it a 10-point lead later in the third, but Ohio State responded early in the fourth quarter when Julian Sayin found Jeremiah Smith in the endzone.
Both teams had empty possessions, but Miami conducted a methodical drive in the final five minutes to kill some clock and eventually put the game away with a touchdown pass from Carson Beck to Mark Fletcher. An interception on Ohio State’s following drive sealed the win for Miami.
Whether the Canes get Georgia or Ole Miss in the semifinal, they will have their work cut out for them. The Bulldogs have been one of the hottest teams in college football as of late, winning their last nine games, including a dominant victory over Alabama in the SEC championship.
Meanwhile, the Rebels are coming off a first-round rout against Tulane, so they have plenty of momentum. Not to mention, Ole Miss is as motivated as ever to win after former head coach Lane Kiffin’s departure for LSU.
Miami will learn its semifinal opponent on Thursday evening.
