Ohio State should have an easy game against Miami at the upcoming Cotton Bowl. But the stakes remain high: A win will take OSU one step closer to defending its National Championship, while a brave Miami will hope to pull off another upset. However, the craze hasn’t seeped into the fan section yet as the game gets another gloomy update on its ticket prices.

Ticket prices for the Cotton Bowl have fallen further to as low as $78, which is a massive contrast to the level of football that will be played on gameday. It’s a troubling number for the event as the prices saw a decline just last week, going to the $120-$150 range a day after Texas A&M fumbled in their matchup.

Originally, tickets for the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic started at $245 for upper concourse seats, while they ranged from $355 to $800 across the stadium. However, once Miami advanced in College Station and a Texas A&M meeting got canceled, that math changed overnight. This isn’t the first time the ticket prices have fallen.

This is the second straight year prices have fallen. Last time, a snowstorm made it difficult for fans to attend the game, despite it featuring Ohio State. This year, the culprit seems to be the team on the other side: Miami. Making things worse, resale prices on Ticketmaster are hitting the $60 range!

The Hurricanes were not the favored winner in their playoff clash with Texas A&M. Ohio State definitely breathed a sigh of relief after seeing that game, because the Aggies could have given the Buckeyes a tough time. So while OSU dodged a bullet and also made their road to the National Championship easier by not facing Texas A&M, it’s dented the hype for the Cotton Bowl.

In the previous edition of the game, Ohio State faced a similar matchup against Texas, which is why Miami seems like a downgrade. But fans ignoring the Rose Bowl can miss out on a great night of thrilling football. Miami remains an underdog but isn’t predicted to be completely underwhelming either.

What can the fans look forward to in the Cotton Bowl

The 11-2 Hurricanes will arrive at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, energized by their first-ever CFP win under head coach Mario Cristobal. While Georgia transfer Carson Beck will undoubtedly face a massive challenge against the nation’s top defense in Ohio State, Miami’s forceful O-line can flip the script. Their defense, too, showed its potential against the Aggies.

On the other hand, 12-1 Ohio State enters with confidence after having enough rest. Their Heisman finalist QB, Julian Sayin, is playing at an elite level. Moreover, they are supported by a fan base that now expects their biggest sideline opponents in, mostly, empty chairs. However, the Buckeyes’ struggles against Indiana showed that they aren’t as invincible as they appear.

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The two have not played since 2011 and split their all-time series 2-2. Most experts are predicting an extremely close game, with OSU winning by 6-7 points. BetMGM is opening the Buckeyes as 9.5-point favorites.

So, Texas A&M might have been the bigger name, but Miami isn’t going to be a complete cakewalk either. Despite fans choosing to watch the game from home, it is surely picking up some heat.

Miami and Ohio State face off in a war of words ahead of the Cotton Bowl

Jeremiah Smith has landed the first attack in this fight. He will no doubt be a huge threat, along with Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss. Being the favored winner of the game, he decided to take a dig at disgruntled Miami fans who remain unhappy after the controversial 2003 National Championship loss.

“They’re still talking about that 20 years later, they’re still worried about it,” Smith said at a December 22 presser. “We got something coming for them New Year’s Eve.”

It should be a stinging attack on Miami fans, as a much-debated pass interference call gave Ohio State a second wind that swung the game in favor of the Buckeyes. And this comment, coming from a Miami native and former target, is tantamount to disrespect. The Hurricanes may be the underdog here. But Cristobal didn’t let him have the last laugh. He also fired back, respectfully.

“To each its own, I don’t judge. I don’t. Different programs have different ways of doing things. It’s not part of our culture. Always respect your opponent, always prepare to the highest standard humanly possible,” he said on December 22.

Ohio State has a clear edge over Miami. But they’re also facing a team that briefly ranked No. 2 and 3 on the AP Poll. The Hurricanes have the juice to at least put up a strong fight, making this an enjoyable game. Ohio State has already revealed its weaknesses in the loss to Indiana, which will likely be exploited by Miami. Now that ticket prices are so low, fans who buy them now will definitely see more than their money’s worth on December 31.