Why Ohio State's Cotton Bowl loss has unprecedented College Football Playoff history

The Ohio State Buckeyes were defeated by the Miami Hurricanes 24-14 in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, ending their season and their pursuit of a national title. This loss marks the first time since the College Football Playoff (CFP) began that the semifinals will not feature Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, or Clemson. The defeat has sparked discussions about the implications for Ohio State and its coach, Ryan Day, who acknowledged the need for depth and performance in critical moments. Day expressed responsibility for the loss, noting that the 25-day break after their Big Ten title game loss to Indiana impacted their rhythm. The Buckeyes will need to address these challenges to avoid similar outcomes in future seasons.