Pinnacle  +9.5  -110   BET365   +9.5  -110    Sportsinteraction  +9.5 -110  888port  +9.5  -110  

Posted at 9:00 AM ET. Odds are subject to change

Miami +9.5 over Ohio State

AT&T Stadium – Arlington, TX

College Football Playoff at the Cotton Bowl

7:30 PM ET. Ohio State enters the playoff as the defending national champion, and everyone is ready to crown them as back-to-back champs. By default that inflates the price next to the Buckeyes because of their demand alone. The Buckeyes were also one of the most profitable teams against the spread for most of the season, and when a team consistently rewards bettors, oddsmakers know they can shade numbers upward and still attract money. Combine that with Miami entering as the lowest seed in the field, and you get a line that tilts more on reputation than competitive reality. That’s exactly why the Hurricanes are the right side.

The narrative surrounding Miami’s win in College Station has been framed as “Texas A&M beat itself,” but that’s a lazy interpretation that ignores how Miami forced the results of that game. The Hurricanes controlled the line of scrimmage, rode a breakout rushing performance from Mark Fletcher that nearly exceeded 200 yards, and leaned into a defensive identity that created disruption instead of sitting back and absorbing punishment. That formula — run the ball, win the trenches, shorten the game — is precisely the blueprint needed to hang inside this number and potentially do far more than that against the Ohio State University.

This matchup isn’t just about whether Ohio State’s offense can find rhythm. It’s about whether their offensive line can handle a relentless Miami front led by Reuben Bain. If that unit struggles, Julian Sayin will be under constant duress, and the Buckeyes will be forced into uncomfortable downs and distances. Miami has already shown it can take a game into the mud and thrive in it.

From a market standpoint, the timing also matters. Ohio State’s public aura is at full saturation — defending champs, high-profile wins, elite brand. Miami, meanwhile, carries skepticism because their victories haven’t always been aesthetically pleasing. But style points don’t cash tickets; execution does. And execution for Miami means controlling tempo, bleeding clock, limiting possessions and letting their defense dictate the terms of engagement. The Hurricanes have a pathway to not only come in under the number but win outright. With inflated points, we can’t help but dig in on the price The U is offered at. We advise you do too.   

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