The Ohio State Buckeyes will enter their high-stakes College Football Playoff showdown against Miami at the Cotton Bowl with a significant lineup change, as starting right guard Tegra Tshabola has been ruled out of the crucial matchup.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel confirmed the development just hours before kickoff, revealing that redshirt freshman Gabe VanSickle will make his first career start in place of the veteran Tshabola. The timing couldn’t be more pressure-packed, with a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals hanging in the balance.
“Sources: Ohio State redshirt freshman Gabe VanSickle is expected to make his first career start tonight against Miami in the CFP,” Thamel reported on December 31, 2025. “He’ll start at right guard, as veteran Tegra Tshabola is officially out. VanSickle will rotate with redshirt sophomore Johsua Padilla.”
The statistical comparison highlights the experience gap the Buckeyes must overcome. While Tshabola brings 29 career starts to his resume, VanSickle has logged just 210 career snaps, including 29 at right guard during the Indiana game. Padilla, who will serve in a rotational role, has accumulated 221 career snaps with 50 coming at right guard this season.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day expressed unwavering confidence in his young lineman’s ability to rise to the occasion. Day emphasized how VanSickle’s consistent improvement and daily practice battles against elite defensive players have prepared him for this moment.
“This is a good example of Gabe, who has continually gotten better each week, and a big part of it is the training and what we do every day in practice, going against some very good players every day in practice,” Day explained. “He should have confidence.”
The coach further highlighted the trust-building process that has occurred throughout the season, noting how VanSickle has earned his teammates’ confidence through his professional approach and work ethic. “The guys have confidence he’s gonna do his job. How do you do that? You build trust with your teammates on how you go about your business, and Gabe has done that.”
VanSickle’s debut comes against a formidable Miami defense that features one of college football’s most potent pass-rushing tandems. The Hurricanes’ defensive front is anchored by Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, two players whose competitive relationship has elevated both their individual performances and the unit’s overall effectiveness.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal praised the dynamic between his star pass rushers, explaining how their daily competition in practice has created a culture of excellence. “So, the fact that those two guys have that kind of a relationship and that they get to compete against each other every day and against really good offensive linemen, it bodes well for us,” Cristobal noted. “It helps to keep developing. And also, part of their legacy is leaving the high standard for the guys that are coming after them.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher for both programs. The winner of this Cotton Bowl clash will advance to face either Ole Miss or Georgia in the Fiesta Bowl on January 8, moving one step closer to the national championship game. The semifinal matchup represents the culmination of months of preparation and the realization of College Football Playoff dreams.
Interestingly, the betting market has shown some movement on game day. While Ohio State entered as 9.5-point favorites, that number has tightened to 7.5 points in favor of the Buckeyes, according to FanDuel. Whether this shift reflects concerns about the offensive line change or simply natural market movement remains to be seen.
For VanSickle, the opportunity represents both a tremendous challenge and a career-defining moment. Making a first career start in the College Football Playoff is hardly the typical introduction to high-level college football, but it also provides a chance to etch his name in Ohio State lore with a strong performance.
The young offensive lineman will be tasked with protecting quarterback Julian Sayin, who has established himself as one of the nation’s premier signal-callers this season. Sayin’s success often depends on having adequate time in the pocket, making VanSickle’s performance crucial to the Buckeyes’ offensive game plan.
As kickoff approaches at the Cotton Bowl, all eyes will be on how Ohio State’s makeshift offensive line holds up against Miami’s aggressive pass rush. The outcome could very well determine whether the Buckeyes’ championship aspirations continue or come to an abrupt end in the playoff’s opening round.
The game represents more than just a win-or-go-home scenario; it’s a test of depth, preparation, and mental fortitude under the brightest lights college football has to offer. For VanSickle, it’s a chance to prove that Ohio State’s developmental program can produce players ready to perform when called upon, regardless of the circumstances.
