The college football world remains in turmoil following the Miami Hurricanes’ stunning 24-14 upset of the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on December 31, 2025.

What should have been remembered as a gritty, underdog triumph for Miami has instead ignited a firestorm over officiating integrity, with reports emerging that all four game officials have been placed under review by the CFB oversight committee amid allegations of inconsistent calls and non-calls that may have influenced the outcome.

The final score—Miami’s first playoff victory and a decisive end to Ohio State’s bid for back-to-back national titles—now carries an asterisk for many observers.

The Buckeyes, who entered as heavy favorites after a dominant regular season marred only by a late Big Ten Championship loss to Indiana, controlled large stretches of the game statistically.

Ohio State outgained Miami 332-291 in total yards, with star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith exploding for seven catches, 157 yards, and a touchdown.

Yet the Hurricanes never trailed, building a 14-0 halftime lead on the strength of a 72-yard pick-six by defensive back Keionte Scott off freshman quarterback Julian Sayin and a suffocating defense that sacked Sayin five times while forcing two interceptions.

Postgame, the narrative quickly shifted from Miami’s opportunistic execution—led by quarterback Carson Beck’s efficient 19-of-26 passing for 138 yards and a punishing ground game that chewed up clock—to scrutiny of the zebras. Social media erupted with accusations of bias, with fans from both sides dissecting every whistle.

Miami supporters highlighted a blatant missed pass interference on a deep ball to CJ Daniels, where Ohio State cornerback Devin Sanchez appeared to make significant contact without a flag.

Buckeyes faithful countered by pointing to uncalled holdings on their offensive line and a lack of penalties against Miami despite aggressive play in the trenches.

One viral clip showed a hard block that injured Miami defensive lineman Ahmad Moten Sr., halting the game temporarily, yet no personal foul was thrown, fueling claims of leniency toward the visitors.

The controversy escalated when the CFB oversight committee confirmed an investigation into the officiating crew, placing all four officials under review pending a full examination of the game’s sequence of decisions.

Sources close to the process describe the probe as routine in high-profile matchups but acknowledge the unusual volume of complaints, including from neutral analysts who questioned the minimal flag count—only a handful thrown throughout the contest—despite physical, chippy play on both lines.

Even some Miami fans have expressed unease, admitting their team’s win, while deserved on the field, came amid moments that left the result feeling “tainted” rather than clean.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, known for measured postgame comments, delivered a pointed response that cut through the noise. With a cold, unwavering stare, he declared, “We respected the rules. We respected the game.

And we fought for every yard — but that same respect was not given back to us tonight.” There was no softening, no diplomacy—just a direct indictment of the officiating that refused to excuse his team’s execution failures.

Day, who took over play-calling duties after offensive coordinator Brian Hartline’s departure to South Florida, had already shouldered blame for a sluggish start that put Ohio State in an early hole.

But his latest remarks signaled a broader frustration with the sport’s direction, echoing concerns about consistency, player safety, and the erosion of trust in the officials.

The backlash extends far beyond Columbus. Fans across the country—Buckeyes diehards, neutral observers, and even a vocal minority of Hurricanes supporters—have taken to platforms accusing the governing bodies of losing control over fairness.

Calls for transparency have intensified, with demands for released audio from the replay booth, detailed explanations of key non-calls, and reforms to how crews are assigned and evaluated in the expanded playoff era.

The 12-team format, designed to heighten drama, has instead amplified scrutiny, as every high-stakes game now carries the potential to expose systemic flaws.

Miami, meanwhile, advances to the Fiesta Bowl semifinal with momentum and legitimacy. Coach Mario Cristobal praised his team’s resilience, noting how they responded to adversity throughout the season, including a narrow overtime loss earlier in the campaign.

The Hurricanes’ balanced attack, time-consuming drives, and late touchdown by running back CharMar Brown sealed the deal, proving they could execute when it mattered most. Yet the shadow of controversy lingers, raising uncomfortable questions about whether the victory will be fully celebrated or forever linked to “what if” scenarios.

As the investigation unfolds, college football faces a reckoning. The sport has grown exponentially in popularity and revenue, but with that growth comes higher expectations for impartiality.

Every questionable whistle, overturned call, and swallowed flag is now replayed frame by frame, dissected by media, analysts, and millions of viewers who demand accountability. The Ohio State-Miami showdown was meant to showcase the best of the playoff format—upsets, star performances, and raw emotion.

Instead, it has become a flashpoint, forcing the powers that be to confront whether the game still prioritizes integrity over entertainment.

For Ohio State, the loss stings not just because of the scoreboard but because it came amid questions of fairness that Day and his program refuse to ignore. The Buckeyes exit with pride intact, their talent unquestioned, but their season ended under a cloud that no one anticipated.

Miami moves forward, carrying the weight of a win that, for many, feels entangled in debate rather than defined by dominance.

In the end, this matchup transcends one result. It has placed college football under an unforgiving spotlight, reminding everyone that in a game built on competition, trust in the rules—and those who enforce them—remains the foundation.

Until that trust is restored, the firestorm will continue to burn, long after the final whistle.