Story perspectives

Miami Hurricanes Advance to Fiesta Bowl After Cotton Bowl Win

1/2/2026

Center

Hurricanes Triumph Again

The Miami Hurricanes, ranked 10th, defeated Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl and are one win from the title.
Miami quarterback Carson Beck emphasized resilience after an earlier loss to SMU.
Miami earned a first-round playoff win against Texas A&M University.
They will face Georgia or Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8.

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CFP Expansion Considered

The College Football Playoff (CFP) committee is considering expanding the playoff to 16 teams, with a decision due by January 23.
Big 12 Conference Commissioner Brett Yormark discussed potential on-campus CFP games, noting that such arrangements must be operationally feasible.
He also urged a stable, forward-looking playoff format to avoid disruption.
Separately, the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Big 12 struggle to gain recognition against the Big Ten and SEC.

History

Historical Context

The College Football Playoff (CFP) system, established in 2014, replaced the controversial Bowl Championship Series (BCS) that had been in place since 1998. The CFP allows four teams to compete for the national title, generating over $600 million in revenue for conferences. Ongoing discussions about expanding to 16 teams highlight the evolving landscape of college football, emphasizing fairness and inclusivity among conferences like the ACC and Big 12.

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Hurricanes Triumph Again

The Miami Hurricanes, ranked 10th, defeated Ohio State 24-14 in the Cotton Bowl and are one win from the title.
Miami quarterback Carson Beck emphasized resilience after an earlier loss to SMU.
Miami earned a first-round playoff win against Texas A&M University.
They will face Georgia or Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8.

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