The Miami Hurricanes have a huge task ahead of them this week: stop No. 2 Ohio State. Only one team, No. 1 Indiana, has done that this season.
If Miami is going to achieve that, too, there are several key players the Hurricanes will have to slow down or stop.
Here is a look at some of the key Buckeyes who may have a huge role in Wednesday night’s game:
Julian Sayin, quarterback
The Buckeyes’ star quarterback had an excellent debut season. The former five-star prospect had 3,323 passing yards with 31 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Sayin completed 78.4 percent of his passes, and Pro Football Focus gave him a 92.6 passing grade, which was best in the nation. His season was good enough to earn a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist, but he missed out on the award as Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza took home the award.
Sayin has few weaknesses in his game. Aided by star wide receivers, he has done well throwing the ball both deep and short. When Sayin was kept clean in the pocket, he was deadly accurate, completing 83.1 percent of his passes. Even when under pressure, his 61.5 completion percentage was still third-best nationally.
Bo Jackson, running back
No, there is no relation to the other Bo Jackson. Bo is a nickname; the Ohio State running back’s given name is Lamar Jackson (but he is not related to the former Boynton Beach High and current Baltimore Ravens quarterback, either).
But like the other Bo and Lamar Jackson, this Bo Jackson is a playmaker. The freshman running back ran for 1,035 yards and five touchdowns. He became the fifth Ohio State true freshman to cross the 1,000-yard mark. Jackson had an 85.7 rushing grade, which was 35th nationally (and fifth among all true freshmen) and seventh in the Big 10.
At 6 feet tall and about 215 pounds, Jackson is tough to take down. He averaged over 4 yards after contact, ranking 15th nationally.
Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, wide receivers
Smith needs no introduction. He was the No. 1 player in his recruiting class when he was starring at Hollywood’s Chaminade-Madonna. He has lived up to that billing, and he is widely considered the best wide receiver (if not the best player) in the nation. He finished second in the voting for the Biletnikoff Award this season.
Smith has 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns with an 89.8 receiving grade. But he is not the only big-time receiving threat on the Buckeyes.
Tate, who was a five-star prospect at Bradenton’s IMG Academy, had 838 yards and nine touchdowns this season despite missing nearly a month with an injury.
Both receivers are 6-3 and excel at short, intermediate and deep routes. Smith has only two drops, and Tate has none. Together, they make the nation’s top receiving duo.
Kayden McDonald, defensive tackle
McDonald is the quintessential defensive tackle. At 6-3 and 326 pounds, he is difficult to move.
Miami excelled at running the ball between the tackles and through the A gap (the spaces in the offensive line between the center and guards) against Texas A&M. With McDonald manning the middle for Ohio State, that will be much more difficult.
McDonald, an AP All-American, has 57 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three sacks. His 89 grade was tops among defensive tackles with 100 or more snaps, and his 92.2 run-defense grade also led the nation. McDonald is not the most dominant pass-rusher, but Ohio State has other playmakers who can do that.
Caleb Downs, safety
Downs may be the nation’s top safety. The two-time unanimous All-American has 60 tackles and two interceptions this season.
Pro Football Focus gives the star safety, who ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranks as the top safety in the 2026 draft, an 83.8 defensive grade, which is 19th nationally. But Downs excels in every aspect of his game. The safety is always roaming in the secondary, preparing to make a game-changing play.
