Ohio State and Miami (Fla.) have met before in the postseason before with a national championship at stake. That meeting was during the 2002 season in the Bowl Championship Series title game. It ended with the Buckeyes winning after a controversial pass interference call extended the game in overtime.

Things have changed greatly for both programs since. Ohio State has been a consistent presence at the top of college football, winning two more national championships. Miami hasn’t been anywhere title contention, making just one ACC title game appearance and their first College Football Playoff this year.

But that means little come Wednesday night in the Cotton Bowl when both teams will be playing for a berth in the semifinals. Who will be the winner that moves on to the Fiesta Bowl. Our experts offer their predictions for the New Year’s Eve showdown.

Ohio State vs Miami predictions in Cotton Bowl

Matt Hayes

A line of scrimmage game. Two of the best offensive and defensive lines in the nation. More important: two quarterbacks who must figure out how to adjust. Ohio State’s Julian Sayin is accurate when escaping the rush, Miami’s Carson Beck has struggled against pressure. Ohio State 27, Miami 17.

Jordan Mendoza

We saw how Ryan Day responded after a loss right before the playoff last season, can he and the Buckeyes do it again? Miami’s offense struggled mightily against Texas A&M and it doesn’t get any easier in the Cotton Bowl. This one stays close in the early stages before the Buckeyes pull away and put the game on cruise control in the second half. Ohio State 27, Miami 13.

Paul Myerberg

Miami is capable of making things tough on Ohio State on both lines. Ideally, the Hurricanes’ defense will win on first down and pin its ears back on third down. But OSU has so many weapons that Miami will have to play something close to an A-level game, especially with the Buckeyes’ own defense leading the nation in yards per game and per play. Ohio State 27, Miami 17.

Erick Smith

This looks to be a walkover for Ohio State given its advantage in offensive talent. It might take a while to get there with Miami’s strength at the line of scrimmage mucking things up. However, look for a strong fourth quarter to allow the Buckeyes to pull away unless Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck has a memorable night. Ohio State 28, Miami 10.

Eddie Timanus

The defenses will set the tone in this one with just a few big throws mixed in. The Buckeyes will force a key miscue late and come away with the win. Ohio State 24, Miami 17.

Blake Toppmeyer

Miami’s defense is excellent. It showed that against Texas A&M. That unit gives the Hurricanes a chance, but Ohio State enjoys the quarterback advantage. Ohio State 17, Miami 13.

Two New England Patriots players have been charged with assault in the last 36 hours.

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing felony strangulation or suffocation charge as well as misdemeanor assault as of Dec. 30. Defensive lineman Christian Barmore is facing assault and battery charges as of Dec. 31.

Coach Mike Vrabel has the team at 13-3 and fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC in his first year in New England. He was asked today about the charges against Diggs and Barmore as the team prepares for Week 18.

‘We’ve been aware of these allegations,’ Vrabel said. ‘Yesterday and today isn’t the first that we’ve heard about them. [We] try to do everything in accordance with the league policy and making sure that the league, that we’re in compliance with the league.’

Vrabel shot down any fears that Diggs and Barmore’s legal proceedings would be a distraction for the other players.

‘I’m 50 years old, going to be 51, I’m not afraid,’ Vrabel said. ‘I love coaching this football team.’

The team put out a statement about both players and said the franchise is aware of reports regarding both Diggs and Barmore. The statements did not include comments because both are ‘ongoing legal matters,’ a stance Vrabel reiterated through much of his news conference today.

‘There’s ongoing legal matters,’ he said. ‘We’ve made a statement, we take these allegations seriously and what comes of that, then we’ll have another discussion. I don’t think we have to jump to any sort of conclusions right now and let the process take its toll.’

Vrabel said Barmore likely will not be at practice today due to an illness. As of today, he considers both players available to play against the Miami Dolphins in Week 18.

‘I haven’t heard anything that would keep either player from the game,’ Vrabel said. ‘The NFL hasn’t told me anything… I haven’t had a call with the NFL.’

New England is playing for the No. 1 seed in the AFC with one game to go in the regular season. They’ll face Miami at home on Sunday.

The Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve saw a brutal injury, with Duke defensive end Kobe Smith colliding with a teammate and suffering a gruesome bend of his leg.

The injury was such that CBS play-by-play analyst Brad Nessler immediately said they would not show it again after showing the replay once. Smith’s shin collided with his teammate’s and his leg immediately went limp after.

Smith’s left leg was put in an air cast and he was carted off as Duke’s players took a knee on the field in support of their teammate.

Smith, a freshman, had 10 tackles and a forced fumble in 2025. He entered the Sun Bowl vs. Arizona State having played 24 snaps in four games. It’s the second straight year Duke has seen a serious injury in a bowl game. The Blue Devils lost star safety Terry Moore to a torn ACL against Mississippi in the Gator Bowl last season.

Kobe Smith injury update

Smith was carted off with a significant left leg injury. He was put in an air cast. The extent of the injury is undetermined, but at the very least he appeared to suffer broken bones after his shin collided with his teammate’s.

This section will be updated.

The No. 1 ranked UConn women’s basketball team had little trouble with Providence, jumping out to a 21-point lead after the first quarter and finishing with a 90-53 victory in Big East play on Wednesday.

Azzi Fudd had 18 points to lead the Huskies, who improved 14-0 and 5-0 in the Big East. Sarah Strong had five 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 17 points. She added seven rebounds and three assists but had an uncharacteristic five turnovers.

The Huskies, who have won 30 games in a row dating back to 2024, had 16 steals, 41 points off turnovers and 38 points in the paint. They also committed 21 turnovers, eight more than their average.

UConn’s sloppiness on offense may have been because of the absence of starting point guard KK Arnold, who sat out with a nasal fracture. Forward Ayanna Patterson did not play because of a concussion. Both injuries happened in practice Tuesday.

Sabou Gueye scored 12 points and Payton Dunbar and Princess Moody added 11 points each for Providence (8-7, 1-3 Big East).

The Huskies have 39 straight victories over the Friars and 53 in a row against Big East opponents.

Third quarter: UConn 70, Providence 35

The Huskies have doubled up the Friars by outscoring them 22-16 in the quarter. Azzi Fudd now leads UConn in scoring with 18. Sarah Strong has 17 points, seven rebounds and five turnovers.

Providence has 27 turnovers with UConn scoring 39 points off of them.

The Huskies’ lead has been as large as 38 points.

Halftime: UConn 48, Providence 19

The Huskies only outscored the Friars 18-12 in the second quarter. UConn is shooting 60% from the field compared to 26% for Providence.

The Friars have 20 turnovers. The Huskies have cashed in with 28 points off turnovers. They also have 18 points in the paint compared to four for Providence.

Sarah Strong has 15 points and Azzi Fudd 11 points for UConn. Payton Dunbar has 11 points for Providence.

Sarah Strong from 3!!!

UConn forward Sarah Strong has tied her career high with five 3-pointers and it’s only the second quarter.

First quarter: UConn 30, Providence 7

The Huskies went on a 21-0 run to end the first quarter, dominating the Friars. Sarah Strong has 12 points for UConn on 4-of-5 shooting from the 3-point line. Blanca Quiñonez added seven points.

The Huskies have scored 19 points off turnovers and are shooting 65% from the field.

We are underway in Providence

Sarah Strong has six points in the early going as the Huskies have jumped out to an 11-6 lead.

What time is UConn vs Providence?

The UConn Huskies play the Providence Friars on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 3 p.m. ET at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.

UConn vs Providence: Streaming

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31
Time: 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT)
Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion (Providence, Rhode Island)
Stream: Peacock

UConn Huskies starting lineup

Providence Friars starting lineup

UConn without starting point guard KK Arnold

Starting point guard KK Arnold sustained a nasal fracture in practice Tuesday and will not be available on Wednesday. She’s averaging 6.9 points, 4.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds for the Huskies.

Forward Ayanna Patterson will miss the game after suffering a concussion Tuesday.

Providence getting amped

UConn in Providence

The Huskies have started their warmups.