Aaron Rodgers, 42, undecided about playing in 2026

As his Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for Sunday's playoffs-or-bust clash with the rival Baltimore Ravens, Aaron Rodgers said he remains undecided about returning for a 22nd season in 2026.

Playing on a one-year contract this season, the four-time NFL MVP has posted his 15th season with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes.

If the Steelers (9-7) lose the battle for the AFC North title with the Ravens (8-8) on Sunday night in Pittsburgh, their season and potentially Rodgers' career will end.

"I'm thinking about this week, but obviously I'm 42 years old and I'm on a one-year deal," Rodgers told reporters on Wednesday. "So you know what the situation is. Whenever the season ends, I'll be a free agent. So that'll give me a lot of options if I still want to play. I mean, not a lot of options, but there'll be options, I would think, maybe one or two, if I decide I still want to play.

"I've enjoyed this experience, and everybody in Pittsburgh has been fantastic to me on and off the field. And it's really what I was hoping for this experience was. It's been even better than I was hoping."

When Rodgers signed his one-year, $13.65 million deal in June, he told "The Pat McAfee Show" that he was "pretty sure" the 2025 campaign would be his last.

Six months later, Rodgers said he was grateful for his experience in Pittsburgh and the opportunity to play for head coach Mike Tomlin.

"You always think about the what-if and the alternative timelines of your life," Rodgers said. "But if I hadn't taken this path, I never would have met so many guys in the locker room who I now call close friends and wouldn't have the experiences and the memories on the field, wouldn't have been able to be in the room with Tom Arth again and Bake (Matt Baker) and be able to play for Arthur Smith and Mike Tomlin. And I feel like there would be a little hole in my life missing without having this chapter. So I'm thankful for this time."

Rodgers ranks fourth in NFL history in passing touchdowns (526) and fifth in passing yards (65,980) heading into the Week 18 finale. His career passer rating of 102.3 ranks No. 1 all-time as does his 1.4% interception percentage.

--Field Level Media

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Aaron Rodgers, 42, undecided about playing in 2026

As his Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for Sunday's playoffs-or-bust clash with the rival Baltimore Ravens, Aaron Rodg...

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More campus games? Big 12 commish says 'everything is on the table' when it comes to playoff reboot

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — While fans trickled into the Orange Bowl stadium for a quarterfinal where tickets were going for as little as $39, the commissioner of the Big 12 said "everything is on the table" when it comes to rebooting the College Football Playoff, including potentially moving more games onto campus.

The commissionershave until Jan. 23to figure out what the playoff will look like next year. Expansion from the current 12-team format and automatic bids have been the two biggest headlines in that discussion, though the idea of keeping more games on campus will factor in.

"We have to examine that, too," Brett Yormark said Thursday, about a half-hour before kickoff of thequarterfinal between Texas Tech and Oregon. "Operationally, can we do it? The first-round games have been fantastic in every respect. I think it's a differentiator."

Under the 12-team format, now in its second season, first-round games involving the fifth through 12th seeds have taken place on the campus of the better-seeded team. The rest of the rounds are at traditional bowl sites, with this year's final coming to Miami Gardens.

The Oregon-Texas Tech game kicked off in front of thousands of empty seats at Hard Rock Stadium. The Ducks traveled 3,200 miles to get to Miami and, if they keep winning, would head to Atlanta for the semifinals (Peach Bowl) before returning to South Florida for the final on Jan. 19. That's around 17,500 miles in travel over three weeks.

"There's a better way to do all of this,"Oregon coach Dan Lanning saidthe day before the game. "We're not inventing the wheel here."

There has been a wide gap between the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten visions of what the next iteration of the playoff should look like. The SEC sees a 16-team field filled with at-large bids; the Big Ten has pushed for a field of 16 or more with more automatic qualifiers.

Under terms of the agreement that goes into play next year, the other two Power Four conferences — Big 12 and Atlantic Coast Conference — are presumed to not have decision-making power in what comes next, though Yormark insisted "we have a big voice in that room."

Yormark would not bite on the question when asked whether Group of Five conferences still belong in the tournament. Counting the first-roundlosses by TulaneandJames Madisonthis year, those teams have lost by an average score of 41-19 over two seasons.

"Everything's on the table and, and hopefully we'll be very thoughtful about it, and if there's change, we'll announce it in due time," Yormark said.

Commish says disputed CSC agreement will get signed

Yormark also said problems keeping schools from signing the participation agreement sent out by the new College Sports Commission are being resolved, and he expects the 68 Power Four teams to sign the contract soon.

A number of state attorneys generaltold their schools not to signthe agreement the commission sent out in November. Among the issues were that it stripped universities of their right to legal action regarding decisions the CSC makes.

Yormark says the agreement is being reworked in a way that all the schools can sign it so, as he said, "we're all signing up for the same rules of engagement."

"But one person's opinion is, you don't need a piece of paper to enforce" the rules, he said.

In a separateinterview with The Associated Pressearlier this week, Texas Tech head of regents Cody Campbell also said he suspects the agreement will get signed, though he's not sure it will have any impact.

"I don't think it's going to be that helpful in terms of creating any kind of stability," said Campbell, who would like to see Congress set up a completely new entity to run college sports. "And it's going to be challenged in court, already is being challenged in court, and it's not going to go well for the CSC."

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphereandhere(AP News mobile app). AP college football:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-football

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

More campus games? Big 12 commish says 'everything is on the table' when it comes to playoff reboot

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — While fans trickled into the Orange Bowl stadium for a quarterfinal where tickets were going f...

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Micah Parsons takes aim at Cowboys over the team's poor defensive performance in 2025: 'Y’all want me to feel bad?'

Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons has some extra time on his hands after suffering a torn ACL in December. While his team preps for the playoffs, Parsons is stuck at home recovering after undergoing surgery, and that means he has more time to scroll social media.

Parsons was apparently doing that Thursday when he stumbled upon a post about his former team that compelled him to respond.

The original post featured an image of Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, who told Cowboys media Thursday that the Parsons trade "changed" how the team's defense operated. Parsons responded to that tweet with multiple "laughing" emojis.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂https://t.co/13vdOrCPkC

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11)January 1, 2026

He then took it a step further. After apparently getting some hate in the comments, Parsons defended his actions, saying he felt slandered by Jerry Jones "for months."

Y'all want me to feel bad? Jerry Jones slandered my name to Cowboys media and national media for months. So I do think I can react to comment if I want to!#respectfully

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11)January 1, 2026

Parsons was likely referencing a series of comments Jones made ahead oftrading the superstar to the Packers. Since that trade, there hasn't been much of a back-and-forth between the two. In the weeks after the deal, the pass rusher saidhe didn't hear from Jones following the trade. Since then it's been fairly quiet on both sides, thoughJones did wish Parsons the bestfollowing his season-ending injury.

But Parsons' tweet re-opened that wound, and made it clear that he still harbors some feelings about the trade. He has a few reasons for that. While Parsons is currently injured, the change of scenery proved to be beneficial for both him and the Packers. Parsons got paid, and then put up excellent numbers when healthy. Despite losing Parsons, the Packers still managed to secure a playoff spot in the NFC.

The Cowboys can't say the same. Despite the addition of Eberflus as its defensive coordinator, the team ranks dead last in points allowed per game in 2025. That's not a huge decline compared to last season, when the Cowboys ranked 31st in the same category, but that's hardly a consolation.

As last season shows, though, the presence of Parsons in 2025 may not have lifted the Cowboys all that much. The team's defense was miserable with him last year. While it was worse in 2025, it's unclear how much he could have single-handedly lifted Dallas' defense to better numbers.

Without Parsons, the Cowboys will improve their winning percentage in 2025, though the team has already been eliminated from postseason contention. It will look to use the picks it acquired in the Parsons trade to reload for the 2026 NFL season.

Despite the injury, Parsons still has a shot at winning a ring this season. And if the Packers can't accomplish that, there's a decent chance the team will get Parsons back early next season to try and make another run at a Super Bowl title.

While the trade was clearly painful for Parsons, he's in a better spot right now. The Packers look like perennial contenders with the All-Pro. The Cowboys, meanwhile, look like a team with multiple holes to fill if they want to contend next year.

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Micah Parsons takes aim at Cowboys over the team's poor defensive performance in 2025: 'Y’all want me to feel bad?'

Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons has some extra time on his hands after suffering a torn ACL in December. While his t...

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'Superstitious' Trump says he takes more aspirin than his doctors want

President Donald Trumpsaid in a new interview that he takes a higher daily dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend, continuing the dosage because he has taken it for years and is "superstitious."

"They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart,"Trump told the Wall Street Journal. "I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?"

The president also deniedfalling asleep at meetings, described exercise other than golf as "boring" and said he actually underwent a CT scan, notan MRI, during a recent exam, speaking to the Journal about his health amid recent public speculation.

More:Vance, in exclusive interview, says he's ready to be president while hailing Trump's health

U.S. President Donald Trump attends a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 2, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> U.S. President Donald Trump attends a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 2, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a Cabinet meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 2, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a Cabinet meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 2, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a Cabinet meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, at the White House in Washington, D.C., Dec. 2, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Trump caught dozing off in cabinet meeting

The Journal's reporting on Trump's health and signs of aging prompted an "impromptu" interview with the president, who "expressed irritation" at the debate around the topic.

"My health is perfect," Trump told the Journal.

Trump, 79, is the oldest person elected president, andhis health has been in the spotlight.

In July, the White House disclosed that Trump wasexperiencing swelling in his lower legsand bruising on his right hand after photographs showed the president with swollen ankles and makeup covering the afflicted part of his hand. Trump attributes the bruising to his aspirin consumption, according to the Journal, and his doctors have encouraged a lower dose.

Trump's doctor, Sean Barbabella, told the Journal that Trump's aspirin use is for "cardiac prevention" and he takes 325 milligrams a day. Aspirin can help prevent blood clots by thinning the blood and may decrease the risk of heart attack or stroke,according to the Mayo Clinic, which describes a low dose as between 75 and 100 milligrams and says "daily dose for aspirin therapy is usually between 75 mg and 325 mg."

Barbabella said in a letter released by the White House last year that Trump's leg swelling was the result of "chronic venous insufficiency," a benign and common condition especially in people over 70.

The president had two medical exams in 2025, in April and October. The report from the October exam said he underwent "advanced imaging" but did not disclose the results of the imaging. Trumplater saidhe had an MRI.

But the president and Barbabella told the Journal he actually had a CT scan. Barbabella said in a statement to the Journal that doctors told Trump he would either get a CT scan or an MRI and decided on the CT scan "to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues."

"It wasn't an MRI," Trump told the Journal. "It was less than that. It was a scan."

The Journal also reported that Trump's aides have encouraged him to keep his eyes open during events. The president has shut his eyes for stretches during public appearances, includingduring a Dec. 2 Cabinet meeting, prompting questions about whether he was dozing off, which the president denied.

"I'll just close. It's very relaxing to me," Trump told the Journal, adding: "Sometimes they'll take a picture of me blinking, blinking, and they'll catch me with the blink."

Amid questions about his health and energy level, Trump has maintained a rigorous public schedule as president. He also is an avid and frequent golfer, but expressed disdain for other forms of exercise.

"I just don't like it. It's boring," Trump said. "To walk on a treadmill or run on a treadmill for hours and hours like some people do, that's not for me."

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'My health is perfect' Trump says in new interview amid speculation

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

'Superstitious' Trump says he takes more aspirin than his doctors want

President Donald Trumpsaid in a new interview that he takes a higher daily dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend, co...

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Yemeni transport ministry says Saudi Arabia mandated inspections of flights between Aden and UAE

ADEN, Yemen (AP) — Yemen's transport ministry, which is aligned with Emirati-backed southern separatist authorities, on Thursday said Saudi Arabia has imposed requirements mandating that flights to and from Aden International Airport undergo inspection in Jeddah.

The ministry, which is affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council, or STC, said in a statement that it was "shocked" by what it denounced as "sudden procedures" requiring international flights departing from or arriving in Aden to stop in Jeddah for inspection before continuing their journeys.

When local officials sought clarification, Saudi authorities said the restriction applies only to flights operating between the Yemeni city of Aden and the United Arab Emirates, according to the ministry's statement.

The reasons behind the measures reportedly imposed by Saudi Arabia remain unclear. The Saudi and Emirati foreign ministries didn't immediately respond to requests for confirmation and comment.

In its statement, the ministry demanded "an end to the air blockade imposed on the Yemeni people, a reversal of these measures, and a continuation of the previous mechanisms that have been in place for years."

This latest development comes amidfurther strained ties between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, neighbors on the Arabian Peninsula that increasingly have competed over economic issues and regional politics, particularly inthe Red Sea area.

Tensions rose after the STC moved last month into Yemen'sgovernorates of Hadramout and Mahraand seized an oil-rich region. The move pushed out forces affiliated with the Saudi-supported National Shield Forces, another group aligned with the coalition in fighting the Iran-backed Houthis.

Yemen has been engulfed in a civil war for more than a decade with the Iran-aided Houthis controlling much of the northern regions, while a Saudi-UAE-backed coalition supports the internationally recognized government in the south. However, the UAE also helps the southern separatists who call for South Yemen to secede once again from Yemen. Those aligned with the council have increasingly flown the flag of South Yemen, which was a separate country from 1967-1990.

The United Statesurged diplomacyin Yemen while the Saudi-led coalition in Yeme now demanded the withdrawal of STC forces from the two governorates as part of de-escalation efforts, with local authorities returning to oversee them, and the handover of their military camps.

Faez bin Omar, a leader with the Hadramout Tribes Confederacy, told The Associated Press Thursday that UAE-backed forces started withdrawing from al-Rayyan base, which is located inMukalla city, the capital of Hadramout, two days ago.

The Council's forces operating in the airport at al-Rayyan base are working to remove weapons and military vehicles left behind their allied forces, however, the situation could still develop, according to Bin Omar. "The Council forces are present inside and around the airport, apparently waiting for the UAE-backed forces to complete their withdrawal tomorrow morning. The base is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and there has been a military operations room there for several years, used by the UAE allegedly combating terrorism," he said.

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Yemeni transport ministry says Saudi Arabia mandated inspections of flights between Aden and UAE

ADEN, Yemen (AP) — Yemen's transport ministry, which is aligned with Emirati-backed southern separatist authorities, ...

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Russia rings in new year with mass drone strike on Ukraine, Putin says he's confident of victory

KYIV, Ukraine —Russiarang in the new year by launching more than 200 drones atUkraine, whilePresident Vladimir Putinused his year-end address to rally support for his troops and to assure his nation of victory.

In Ukraine itself,President Volodymyr Zelenskyy'sDec. 31 address was defiant but also optimistic aboutthe frenetic shuttle diplomacy being brokered by the United States.

Zelenskyy said that Russia,whose officials are also in talks with the Americans, remains the central barrier to peace, with Putin unyielding in his maximalist demands.

"I would give anything in the world if, in this address, I could say that peace will also come in just a few minutes," Zelenskyy said just before the clock struck midnight. "Unfortunately, I cannot say that yet. But with a clear conscience, I — all of us — can say that Ukraine is truly doing everything for peace."

The Ukrainian leader recently returned froma meeting with President Donald Trumpin Florida on Sunday. Afterward, Zelenskyy said Trump had offered 15 years ofthe crucial "security guarantees"that he says are essential to stop Putin from attacking again. Ukraine had asked for 50 years, he said.

Hours before the new year's bells chimed, Trump's special envoySteve Witkoff posted on Xthat he had held a call with Zelenskyy, Ukrainian national security secretary Rustem Umerov and the national security advisers of Britain, France and Germany.

In his own post on X,Umerov saidSecretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner were also on the call.

Though Zelenskyy said that the "peace agreement is 90% ready," he suggested that the remaining 10% contained the thorniest issues preventing peace.

"Those are the 10% that will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe, how people will live," he said. "Ten percent to save millions of lives. Ten percent of the determination needed for peace to work 100%. Ten percent of the unity and wisdom so desperately needed — Ukrainian, American, European, from the entire world. Ten percent to peace."

The Ukrainian leader charted what has been a roller-coaster year trying to retain the goodwill of Trump, a pivotal and changeable figure in the peace process. Zelenskyy said "it was not easy at all to achieve such a change in the tone of relations between Ukraine and the United States" after he clashed with Trump and Vice President JD Vance in anextraordinary White House meetingin February.

Trump has often shifted between appearing to favor Russia and then Ukraineduring these negotiations, and has at various points been criticized for freezing Ukraine and Europe out of the process.

"Without Ukraine, nothing will work. Ukraine has defended its right to have a voice," Zelenskyy said, adding later: "Ukraine is, in fact, the only shield that now separates Europe's comfortable way of life from the Russian world."

Hours after Zelenskyy spoke, Russia launched 205 drones — mostly Iran-designed Shaheds along with some Russian Gerbera drones — into Ukraine, according to the country's military. Air defense systems downed 176 of these, but 24 strikes were recorded at 15 locations, it said. There was also shelling right along the line of contact between Russia and Ukraine.

At least two people were killed and more than a dozen injured across the country, according to regional officials.

For its part, Ukraine launched a strike against Russia's Rosrezerv oil depot in the Yaroslavl region, the Security Service of Ukraine, the SBU, said in a statement. The SBU said this was the latest strike designed to "cut off the supply chains of Russian petroleum products with surgical precision, both abroad and for the troops attacking Ukraine."

Russia claimed this week thatUkraine had attempted to assassinate Putinwith a drone strike on his country residence, something that Ukraine denied and the CIA concluded was not true, a source with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.

In his own New Year's address, Putin said his country was striving "to bring joy and warmth" to those in need, as well as the "heroes" fighting in Ukraine. "I wish all our soldiers and commanders a happy new year! We believe in you and in our victory," he said.

Daryna Mayer reported from Kyiv and Alexander Smith from London.

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Russia rings in new year with mass drone strike on Ukraine, Putin says he's confident of victory

KYIV, Ukraine —Russiarang in the new year by launching more than 200 drones atUkraine, whilePresident Vladimir Putinused ...

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Miami makes CFP title case after Cotton Bowl upset of Ohio State: 'This is our moment'

ARLINGTON, TX — Everyone in AT&T Stadium knew what Miami was going to do.

Leading No. 2 seed Ohio State 17-14 in the Cotton Bowl and taking over at their 30-yard line with 5:56 to play, the No. 10 seed Hurricanes had one mission: to run the ball down theBuckeyes' throat to milk the clock, deliver the knockout blow and send the defending national champions packing from theCollege Football Playoff.

"We all looked each other in the eyes," said senior center James Brockermeyer. "We said, 'This is our moment. Let's take over this game.'"

What unfolded over the ensuing five minutes of game clock tells the story of a team blossoming at the right time and a program that has reclaimed its place on the national stage after spending more than two decades lost in the wilderness.

Ten plays. Eight runs for 52 yards. A 19-yard gain to get things started by junior running back Mark Fletcher, who had a game-high 90 yards. Twenty-six yards from backup CharMar Brown, including the 5-yard score that provided the final exclamation pointon a 24-14 upset.

The whole thing can be boiled down like this: Ohio State knew what Miami wanted to do and couldn't do a single thing about it.

"It just shows that we're a team that will do what it takes to win a game and grind things out against a really, really good defense like that," Brockermeyer said. "They're a great team. But we've got a great team, too."

That's how Miami was built, in the trenches, by a coach in Mario Cristobal who knows no other way. From the depths of his five-win debut in 2022 and miserable moments such as a shocking debacle loss toGeorgia Techa year later, Cristobal has pieced together a team constructed to win hard-fought, physical games against the nation's best in postseason play.

"We keep getting better and better up front," Cristobal said. "When you play a team like that that's been the number one defense in the country the entire year, you have to. And you have to not only hit, but you've got to be willing to take the hits and keep coming, because that's what it's going to be."

Best of bowl season: Mascots, trophies, celebrations, Gatorade baths

This improvement was evident in an oftenugly 10-3 win against No. 7 seed Texas A&Min the opening round, when the Hurricanes overcame three missed field goals and made a late defensive stand to advance to Wednesday night's quarterfinals. But the Cotton Bowl casts Miami in a new light — as a team capable of winning the whole thing — and shows how adeptly Cristobal installed his formula.

"We live in a geographic area with a lot of high school talent, a lot of skill players. But he built it inside-out and supplanted that with great outside players, skill players," said Miami athletics director Dan Radakovich.

"That's the recipe that he thought about and actually put into action. He was able to pull that together. It wasn't like a zoom kind of thing. It was very progressive, with a great foundation."

Miami ran for 153 yards, the most Ohio State had allowed since the season opener against Texas, and averaged 4.1 yards per carry. The line gave up just two sacks and four tackles for loss. The Hurricanes set the tone by maintaining possession for more than 11 minutes in the first quarter and closed the Buckeyes out by holding the ball for almost nine minutes in the fourth.

Despite being roughly a touchdown underdog by kickoff, Miami looked better prepared for a line-of-scrimmage battle, especially when pushing piles forward after contact on the game-clinching drive and bullying an Ohio State team most expected to repeat.

"He definitely relayed that message that he wanted us to be the most physical team, the most violent team," Fletcher said of Cristobal. "And that's with anybody who we play, who we line up against, especially on the offensive side. But he was screaming that to the defense, too.  And, shoot, defense played violent. We got to play violent, too. That's how we match it."

Not to be outdone, Miami's defense sacked Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin five times; that matched Indiana's sack total from theBig Tenchampionship game after the Buckeyes had allowed just six sacks during their 12-0 start.

On both sides of the ball, the Hurricanes were able to carry the normally unflappable Buckeyes out of their comfort zone and into choppy waters on the line of scrimmage. Counting sacks, Ohio State managed just 45 rushing yards on 1.9 yards per carry. Going back to 2016, the Buckeyes' previous low for rushing yards in a game was 58 yards against Indiana earlier this month.

"Our players kept responding. Our players kept coming with their counterpunch," said Cristobal. "And those last couple of counterpunches, that big stop after they converted a third-and-18, and then the touchdown drive at the end, and then to finish it off with an interception, those are great counterpunches. Those are just really left hooks to the body and to the head."

Most importantly, the Hurricanes' defense was able to pressure Sayin with five and often four pass rushers. Clearly fazed, Sayin completed 62.8% of his attempts, his worst performance since the opener, and tossed multiple interceptions for just the second time.

In the game's biggest single moment, Sayin delivered a misguided pass to the flat in the direction of receiver Brandon Inniss in the second quarter that Miami defensive back Keionte Scott jumped the route and returned 72 yards for a touchdown.

"We got him early, we hit him early, and I think it forced him to throw that interception," said Mesidor.

"Not only that, but throughout the game he was a little uncomfortable. He really wasn't dropping back to throw deep bombs. He was throwing drag routes, finding little holes in the zone."

The turnaround is remarkable, and shouldn't be ignored. Four years ago, Miami finished short of bowl eligibility for the first time since 2007. Two months ago, the Hurricanes lost 26-20 to SMU and was essentially tossed out of the playoff mix, only to controversially leap ahead of Notre Dame in the playoff rankings on the heels of a four-game winning streak.

Everything is coming together, at long last, and Miami is reestablished as a true national player. If they can do this against Ohio State, the Hurricanes can do the same to every team still alive in this tournament — and maybe deliver the program's first national championship since 2001 and sixth overall.

"It's a great time to shine, at the end of the game," said Brockermeyer. "We're just a team that never folds and we never will."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Miami dominates Ohio State in Cotton Bowl to validate CFP title hopes

byAlex Forten

in

January 01, 2026

Miami makes CFP title case after Cotton Bowl upset of Ohio State: 'This is our moment'

ARLINGTON, TX — Everyone in AT&T Stadium knew what Miami was going to do. Leading No. 2 seed Ohio State 17-1...

Read More