Defending Champ Ohio State Stunned in CFP Opener
All year long, it seemed inevitable that Ohio State would repeat as College Football Playoff champions. They were ranked number one and literally did not lose that ranking until a tight loss to Indiana, the number two team, in the Big Ten Championship. They were still the defending champs and ranked number two, but now, they're going home.
Miami upsets Ohio State in CFP shocker
Miami is one of the 12 teams that many felt did not belong in the field. For the entire season, they were ranked below Notre Dame by the committee. On the final reveal, after neither team competed in a conference title game, the Hurricanes jumped the Irish.
That was a shock, and it left Notre Dame very unhappy. But it put the Hurricanes in the field, and they eked out a win over Texas A&M in the first round. Their prize? A matchup with the defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes. No one envied them.
But now, the Hurricanes are moving on after a dominant defensive effort. They held the vaunted Buckeyes to nine yards in the first quarter, their lowest quarter total since 2017. The Hurricanes also intercepted Julian Sayin and returned it for a touchdown.
Keionte Scott scored and said via ESPN, "I shot my shot, and the ball went in my hands. I was full of emotions. I think I took a little moment to peek at the [Ohio State] sideline and look at everybody and let them know what was going on. So that was a pretty cool moment. ... Just having fun. At the end of the day, that's what this team relies on -- just going out there, playing free and just having fun."
That put the Hurricanes up 14-0, but the game was far from over.
OSU nearly comes back
If anyone expected the Buckeyes to roll over, they were wrong. Jeremiah Smith had himself a fantastic day, and his fourth-down touchdown cut the lead to 17-14. The Buckeyes eventually got the ball back with a chance to tie or take the lead, but they couldn't.
After punting, Miami drove down the field and scored with less than a minute remaining on the clock. That put them up 24-14, and that lead proved to be insurmountable. The Buckeyes would not score again. Two plays later, Sayin was intercepted again.
Coach, QB open up on win
It is a monumental upset for head coach Mario Cristobal. Despite losing the NFL's top pick in Cam Ward, he has guided this team into the playoffs and to within a game of playing in the national championship.
"Our players kept responding," the head coach said. "Our players kept coming with their counterpunch. The touchdown drive at the end and then to finish it off with an interception ... those are great counterpunches. Those are just really left hooks to the body and to the head. Those are great, great counterpunches by our team."
The player who replaced Ward had a hand in getting the Hurricanes to this point. Gunnar Stockton took over at Georgia, a team still in the CFP as well, so Carson Beck transferred out and joined the Hurricanes. Even having played for Georgia, this CFP run for Miami is a first.
"Shoot, I've never been on this stage before," the QB said. "I've obviously played at Georgia and played in big games, but I've never had the opportunity to be a starting quarterback in the playoffs. I've been able to be a part of national championship teams and championship teams, but I've never had this opportunity."
Beck said he's taking it all one play at a time, but it's hard not to consider what this must mean for him. If the Hurricanes can get one more win, they'll be able to shock the world and play in their home stadium for a title.
