Cote’s Hot Button Top 10: Miami-Ohio State, CFP quarters, Dolphins-Bucs and more
GREG COTE’S HOT BUTTON TOP 10 (DECEMBER 28): WHAT IN SPORTS HAS GRABBED US THIS WEEK: Hurricanes face Ohio State as CFP quarterfinals begin, Dolphins-Bucs, two NFL playoff spots still open, Panthers., Heat, Inter Miami and more. Welcome to the 132nd edition of HB10, bringing you what’s on our minds from a Miami lens and accentuating stuff that’s big, weird, damnable, funny or worth needling as the sports week past pivots to the week ahead:
1. HURRICANES: Miami still doubted as it faces Ohio State in Cotton Bowl: New Year’s Eve on Wednesday night. Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Tex. And America is still doubting Miami. The No. 10-ranked Hurricanes were underdogs in the first round at Texas A&M, but won. Now they’re the biggest underdogs of the quarterfinal round vs. No. 2 Ohio State, by 9 1/2 points, with the Buckeyes overall betting favorites for the championship (per DraftKings) and -110. Can UM generate the defense and the running game that handled A&M? This for sure: Canes feed on being the doubted ‘dogs.
2. COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Orange Bowl fronts other 3 CFP quarters: After Hurricanes vs. Ohio State in Wednesday’s Cotton Bowl, Miami’s 91st Orange Bowl game fronts the College Football Playoff’s three New Year’s Day quarterfinals at Noon featuring No. 4 Texas Tech vs. 5-Oregon (-2 1/2) points) at Hard Rock. The game Miami wanted but the Rose Bowl got is at 4 p.m. with 1-Indiana (-6 1/2) -- led by Heisman-winning QB Fernando Mendoza of Miami Columbus High -- vs. 9-Alabama. Wrapping at 8 is the Sugar Bowl with 3-Georgia (-6 1/2) vs. 6-Ole Miss.
3. DOLPHINS: Two sad situations as Fins hosts Tampa in home finale: Couple of desperate situations here. Miami, out of the playoffs so assured no postseason win for a 25th straight season, is playing out the string with the only intrigue in its home finale the dishevelment at quarterback. With Tua Tagovailoa panic-benched, the Fins can only pray seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers is the answer. Tampa Bay? The Bucs and wilting Baker Mayfield have lost three straight and six of past seven as they struggle to be less-worse than Carolina and win the sad NFC South.
4. NFL: Only two of 14 playoff tickets still unclaimed: Twelve of 14 playoff berths have been secured entering Sunday, although division titles and seeding are still in play. Four teams are alive for the final two spots. Pittsburgh (84.8 percent likely) and Baltimore (15.2%) are battling in AFC, with Pitt able to clinch today by winning in Cleveland. In the NFC it’s Tampa Bay (53%) and Carolina (47%) for the final spot. Only Panthers can clinch today, and only if they beat Seattle and Bucs lose in Miami.
5. PANTHERS: Cats fall to rival Tampa as Winter Classic nears: Panthers are 20-17 after losing at home Saturday to rival Tampa 4-2, thanks to a 1-for-11 fizzle on the power play. Cats had won eight of previous 10. Florida stays home Monday vs. Washington and Tuesday against Montreal before hosting New York Rangers next Friday in the NHL Winter Classic at Marlins Park -- the league’s first Winter Classic in the tropics.
6. HEAT: Miami wins second straight after skid: Miami is 17-15 with two straight wins following a 1-8 skid. Heat were home to crush hapless Indiana 142-116 Saturday night even with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro again out with injuries. Tougher test Monday night back home vs. Denver and Nikola Jokic.
7. INTER MIAMI: MLS Cup champs announce preseason dates: Lionel Messi and MLS champion Inter Miami announced three preseason dates in South America. Herons will play Peruvian power Club Alianza Jan. 24 in Peru; Atlético Nacional Jan. 31 in Medellín, Colombia; and Barcelona de Guayaquil Feb. 7 in Ecuador. Messi will continue to play at least in 2026 for Miami as the club christens new Miami Freedom Park.
8. FIU: Panthers get crushed in first bowl since 2019: Miami’s OCFT (Other College Football Team) was a big underdog Friday night and lost as expected, but took an interesting path there. After finishing 7-5 in coach Willie Simmons’ first season, FIU first bowl appearance since 2019 found Cats facing UTSA (Texas-San Antonio) in the First Responders Bowl in Dallas -- and leading 14-0 early before sinking to a 57-20 loss. FIU last won a bowl game in 2019 under Butch Davis.
9. CANES HOOPS: When will Jai Lucas’ guys get some ranking love?: Miami’s men’s team is 11-2 as it awaits its ACC opener at home Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh -- but still unranked. Despite its only two losses to teams both ranked in the top-10 at the time and both still ranked. Despite nine teams in the Top 25 having a worse record. Coach Jai Lucas arrived from Duke to resurrect a listing program and is off to a great start. Time for some rankings love.
10. NFL: The Jets are being the Jets again: The Grinch dressed in Jets green this Christmas. The team denied Ashley Castanio-Gervasi, a Jets season ticket holder attends games in honor of her late father, a chance to kick a field goal for $100,000 in a ‘Kick for Cash’ promotion today. The school teacher called it “life-changing money.” Then the Jets said no, DQ’ing her because she’s a high school soccer coach. Bad team, bad look.
THE LIST: NHL WINTER CLASSIC: Marlins Park on Jan. 2 will host the 18th NHL Winter Classic, which has been held every year except two since 2008:
Most popular venues
10 MLB stadiums (Marlins Park will be 11th)
3 College football stadiums
3 NFL stadiums
Note: Only years Winter Classic skipped were 2013 (NHL lockout) and 2021 (Covid).
Other select most recent stuff from me: NFL Week 17 picks // NFL Christmas Day picks // Stugotz signs major iHeart Media deal, but says not done with LeBatard Show // Updated Herald NFL QB Rankings // Dolphins quit on Tua too soon, got what they deserved in Sunday loss // Previous HB10 // Poll Dance: Dolphins QB in ‘26 // Canes stifle A&M with defense, advance in CFP to face Ohio State // R.I.P. George Mira, ‘The Matador,’ Hurricane football’s first true star // Irish eyes are crying, but CFP got t right with Canes over Notre Dame // Messi, Inter Miami win MLS Cup, crown 50 years of SoFla soccer // How Browns fan’s tragedy gave Bernie Kosar new life // Tortoise to hare, reinvention of Miami Heat an NBA marvel // How Miami project -- and forgiveness -- helped Marc Buoniconti turn tragedy to triumph // Beloved cast member leaving Dan Le Batard Show // Wounded, doubted but nobody’s underdog, champ Panthers win opener // Barkov lost for season a mortal blow to Panthers’ 3-peat bid // Cristobal has ‘insatiable’ drive for new Hurricanes glory days, and he’s getting close // Heat getting 3-point ace Powell a pickpocket-win for Riley // A tribute to Miami sports legend Jimmy Johnson as he retires from Fox TV // 15 years later, Dolphins Cancer Challenge is life-saving legacy of Jim Mandich // And my latest podcast:
