Can Miami Restart a Dynasty With a Win Over Ohio State

On a humid night in Tempe, Arizona, on January 3, 2003, the tectonic plates of college football shifted. At the time, we didn’t realize we were witnessing the end of an era; we thought we were just watching a classic game. But more than two decades later, it’s clear: the 2003 Fiesta Bowl wasn’t just a victory for Ohio State, it was the moment the Miami dynasty died, and the Buckeye empire was born.

The Flag That Changed Everything

Heading into that game, Miami was the undisputed king of the sport. They were on a 34-game winning streak, defending national champions, and arguably the greatest collection of raw talent ever assembled on a single roster.

Then came the flag. You know the one.

In the first overtime, a late pass interference penalty on Miami’s Glenn Sharpe gave the Buckeyes a second life. Ohio State converted, won in double overtime, and ended the Hurricanes’ reign.

Since that night, the two programs have moved in opposite directions:

• Ohio State has remained a permanent fixture in the national title conversation. They’ve won two national titles (2002, 2014), appeared in countless New Year’s Six bowls, and transformed into a professional-grade factory for NFL talent.

• Miami, meanwhile, drifted into a twenty-year wilderness. From “Tattoo-gate” to the “Turnover Chain,” the Hurricanes have spent two decades trying to recapture the magic of the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s, often finding themselves stuck in a cycle of “rebuilding” years and disappointing finishes.

For twenty years, Miami fans and media pundits have heralded every new coaching hire or 4-0 start as the official return of “The U.” We heard it with Randy Shannon, Al Golden, Mark Richt, and Manny Diaz. Now, under Mario Cristobal, the whispers have turned into a roar.

But this time, the narrative feels different because the obstacle is the same. As we sit on the eve of their 2025 College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup at the Cotton Bowl, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

A Turning Point or a Speed Bump?

If Miami defeats No. 2 Ohio State this week, it won’t just be a playoff win; it will be an exorcism. To truly be “back,” Miami has to beat the very team that broke them. A victory would validate Cristobal’s recruiting, prove that Miami can win in the trenches against the Big Ten’s best, and finally silence the “overrated” chants.

However, a loss, especially a lopsided one, reinforces the status quo. It would be another “almost” year, another season where the Hurricanes proved they can beat the middle of the ACC but can’t climb the mountain against the true elite.

Ohio State is the gold standard for a reason. They don’t just win; they endure. For Miami, this game is about more than a trophy—it’s about reclaiming a seat at a table that Ohio State has occupied alone for far too long.