After almost missing out on automatic qualification for the 12-team College Football Playoff, the Miami Hurricanes booked their place in the quarterfinals by edging Texas A&M 10-3. While fans celebrated the win as a sign of progress from the regular season, Hall of Famer and former Hurricanes defensive tackle Warren Sapp took to X to voice his frustration with the program.

“Ask My University of Miami Athletic Dept. for tickets to The Cotton Bowl!! Here’s my reply from The University: Good afternoon!
For Dallas: Upper Corner are $200 before fees, and Upper Endzone are $150 before fees. Please let me know what you need!?
My Reply: better seats!” Warren Sapp wrote on X.

Sapp felt disrespected by what he perceived as a lack of premium seating being offered by his alma mater. The frustration is understandable. Sapp spent three seasons at Miami from 1992 to 1994 and was a cornerstone of one of the most dominant defensive units in college football history.

Despite not producing eye-catching statistics, Sapp was widely regarded as the nation’s best defensive tackle during his collegiate career. He helped Miami secure Big East titles in 1992 and 1994, earned Consensus All-American honors in 1994, was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year the same season, and finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting, a rare feat for a defensive lineman.

His success at Miami led to him being selected 13th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1995 NFL Draft. Sapp went on to win a Super Bowl, earn NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1999, receive seven Pro Bowl selections, six First-team All-Pro nods, and be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2013.

Given his legacy and impact on the program, not being offered better seating for Miami’s Cotton Bowl matchup against Ohio State was perceived by many as a sign of disrespect.

Several fans echoed Sapp’s sentiments, with one commenting, “Unbelievable! How are you not part of the crew?”

Program support from its legends often reflects the institution’s stability. With Miami preparing to face one of the nation’s most dangerous teams, alienating a figure like Sapp could come back to bite them.

Evaluating Miami against the Buckeyes

The victory over Texas A&M was by no means an impressive display of football. Both sides made mistakes, but Miami committed fewer on the night.

That was enough to advance, but the challenge now escalates significantly. The Hurricanes face Ohio State, a program aiming to become the first back-to-back CFP champions since the Georgia Bulldogs in 2021 and 2022. So, how do the two teams stack up?

The Buckeyes enter as one of the national title favorites. They boast the best defense in the country and pair it with a balanced offense led by quarterback Julian Sayin, running back Bo Jackson, and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. This trio poses big problems to any defense.

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Miami, on the other hand, has been competitive but inconsistent offensively. Quarterback Carson Beck had a disappointing performance against Texas A&M, and a repeat performance could prove costly against an Ohio State side that capitalizes on mistakes.

Head coach Mario Cristobal must ensure his team moves past the blemishes of the A&M game and is fully prepared for the Cotton Bowl, both physically and mentally. Any lapse could hand an advantage to Ryan Day and Ohio State, something no opponent can afford.