Caleb Downs and No. 2-seeded Ohio State (12-1) are set to take on No. 10-seeded Miami (11-2) in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Wednesday. It is part of the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This marks the third straight year the Buckeyes are appearing in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Ohio State holds a 3-1 record in Cotton Bowl games and a 4-1 record at AT&T Stadium. Downs and his squad will be aiming to improve that mark in their game against Miami.
Caleb Downs Breaks Down Rueben Bain Before Cotton Bowl Clash with Miami
In the 12th episode of the “Downs 2 Business” podcast on Wednesday, Caleb, along with his brother and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs, discussed Ohio State’s upcoming College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Miami.
Josh praised Miami, saying that their defensive line is a key strength. He also asked Caleb whether he had studied the Hurricanes or if the Ohio State offense had been talking about them.
“I mean, yeah, you definitely hear about it around the facility,” Caleb said. “I know a couple of the guys there. I was with Reuben Bain a couple of weeks ago, and it was cool to see him. He’s a great player. He’s done a lot in college football, so it’ll be cool to see that match-up going against him. But I mean, I got to take our goals, our guys on the O, to make it happen. So I mean, we got to make it shake.”
Ohio State will enter the playoff as the defending national champion, having won two CFP titles and four consecutive playoff games. The Buckeyes are making their seventh playoff appearance in 12 years, and their fifth in the last seven seasons.
No program has reached more CFPs than Ryan Day’s program since 2019. Caleb’s performance will be crucial in the Cotton Bowl, with the winner advancing to the Fiesta Bowl to face the victor of the No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Ole Miss game on Jan. 8.
Caleb is regarded as one of the best defensive players in college football history and a top prospect for the 2026 NFL draft. He will look to cap off his magnificent season in the playoffs. He recorded 60 total tackles (40 solo), five tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and two passes defended in 13 games this season.
Caleb holds an 84.1 PFSN Safety Impact Score and has already earned the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. He was also named a unanimous All-American for the second consecutive year, joining fellow Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald in achieving the honor.
