Steve "k9" Kim joined the CanesInSight Podcast to discuss the Cotton Bowl, and he did not downplay the challenge ahead.
“Athletically, they’re as good as anyone at all three levels,” Kim said of Ohio State. “Multiple NFL players from the defensive line, linebacker to the defensive back. This is where Shannon Dawson’s going to have to earn his money.”
“I go back to the opening drive of the second half against A&M,” he said. “That should have been the template. Downhill runs, physical, but also early down throws so you’re controlled in distance.”
Against Ohio State’s speed and linebacker range, getting into third-and-long is death.
“You don’t want to be in third and long against this unit,” Kim said. “If you can keep it to third and three, you’ve got a shot.”
Peter Ariz agreed the game will be tight.
“Every possession counts. Every yard counts,” Ariz said. “Flipping the field is really going to matter here.”
Kim agreed, but that does not mean he wants a conservative plan.
“You’re probably going to have to dial up about a half dozen shot plays,” he said. “The question becomes, Carson Beck, can you hit on at least half of them?”
“CJ Daniels has had some great moments this year,” he said. “I think this is a game where he might be a central focus of that throw game outside.”
Ariz floated other possibilities.
“Does a young man like JoJo Trader finally have that breakout moment?” he said. “Or does Elijah Lofton break out?”
Kim’s focus stayed on execution, especially with two slow-paced teams who don't run many plays.
“This isn’t about volume,” he said. “It’s about hitting when you take your shots.”
“Indiana showed they’re beatable. They’re not infallible,” he said. “The biggest change is Marcel Reed’s legs don’t exist with Julian Sayin.”
Against Miami, Texas A&M extended drives because of Reed’s mobility.
“Three of the first four first downs A&M converted were because of Marcel Reed’s legs,” Kim said. “That escapability and plus-one factor is not there with Sayin.”
That allows Miami to play more aggressively on the back end.
“One thing about Sayin — you get him off his first read, he’s not nearly as effective,” Kim said.
Ariz added that Ryan Day wants deep shots.
“They wait for those plays to develop,” he said. “Against Indiana it didn’t work because of coverage and pass rush.”
“Kayden McDonald is a hoss inside,” Kim said. “It’s going to be tough sledding.”
But even small wins matter.
“You have to be able to consistently create second and three, second and two,” Kim said. “So you get to third and short.”
And that’s where Carson Beck earns his keep.
“This is where Beck has to earn his money,” Kim said. “Do we hit some shots or just move the chains? That depends on throwing on early downs.”
Ariz added that Miami needs multiple backs to show up.
“Fletcher had success last game,” he said. “But you need Pringle to bust a couple. Even a 15 or 20-yarder changes things.”
Kim pointed to a key star from the Big 10 Championship.
“Indiana rushed for 118 yards. Ohio State only rushed for 58,” he said. “Indiana doubled their rushing output. That mattered.”
“Perception matters,” he said. “When Miami plays Ohio State, the whole nation is watching.”
Ariz tied it to the roster cycle.
“This team is built to win now,” Ariz said. “Next year there won’t be a Carson Beck, a Bain, a Mauigoa, a Jalobe Thomas. You’ve got to go far with this team.”
Kim sees the opportunity.
“Making the playoff was a step. Beating an SEC team on the road was a big step,” he said. “Now we’ve got another chance on Wednesday night. It matters.”
And for Kim, that’s the real point: Miami isn’t here to hang around. They’re here to prove they belong.
“Athletically, they’re as good as anyone at all three levels,” Kim said of Ohio State. “Multiple NFL players from the defensive line, linebacker to the defensive back. This is where Shannon Dawson’s going to have to earn his money.”
Why Early Downs Will Decide the Game
Kim kept coming back to one thing: early-down playcalling.“I go back to the opening drive of the second half against A&M,” he said. “That should have been the template. Downhill runs, physical, but also early down throws so you’re controlled in distance.”
Against Ohio State’s speed and linebacker range, getting into third-and-long is death.
“You don’t want to be in third and long against this unit,” Kim said. “If you can keep it to third and three, you’ve got a shot.”
Peter Ariz agreed the game will be tight.
“Every possession counts. Every yard counts,” Ariz said. “Flipping the field is really going to matter here.”
Kim agreed, but that does not mean he wants a conservative plan.
“You’re probably going to have to dial up about a half dozen shot plays,” he said. “The question becomes, Carson Beck, can you hit on at least half of them?”
Who Can Be Miami’s “Shot Play” Guy?
Kim sees a clear candidate for those targets.“CJ Daniels has had some great moments this year,” he said. “I think this is a game where he might be a central focus of that throw game outside.”
Ariz floated other possibilities.
“Does a young man like JoJo Trader finally have that breakout moment?” he said. “Or does Elijah Lofton break out?”
Kim’s focus stayed on execution, especially with two slow-paced teams who don't run many plays.
“This isn’t about volume,” he said. “It’s about hitting when you take your shots.”
What Changes From Texas A&M Matchup
One of Kim’s key points centered on the quarterback.“Indiana showed they’re beatable. They’re not infallible,” he said. “The biggest change is Marcel Reed’s legs don’t exist with Julian Sayin.”
Against Miami, Texas A&M extended drives because of Reed’s mobility.
“Three of the first four first downs A&M converted were because of Marcel Reed’s legs,” Kim said. “That escapability and plus-one factor is not there with Sayin.”
That allows Miami to play more aggressively on the back end.
“One thing about Sayin — you get him off his first read, he’s not nearly as effective,” Kim said.
Ariz added that Ryan Day wants deep shots.
“They wait for those plays to develop,” he said. “Against Indiana it didn’t work because of coverage and pass rush.”
Why the Run Game Still Matters
Kim said Miami cannot abandon balance, even against Ohio State’s interior.“Kayden McDonald is a hoss inside,” Kim said. “It’s going to be tough sledding.”
But even small wins matter.
“You have to be able to consistently create second and three, second and two,” Kim said. “So you get to third and short.”
And that’s where Carson Beck earns his keep.
“This is where Beck has to earn his money,” Kim said. “Do we hit some shots or just move the chains? That depends on throwing on early downs.”
Ariz added that Miami needs multiple backs to show up.
“Fletcher had success last game,” he said. “But you need Pringle to bust a couple. Even a 15 or 20-yarder changes things.”
Kim pointed to a key star from the Big 10 Championship.
“Indiana rushed for 118 yards. Ohio State only rushed for 58,” he said. “Indiana doubled their rushing output. That mattered.”
Why This Moment Is Bigger Than One Game
Kim sees this as part of a larger trajectory.“Perception matters,” he said. “When Miami plays Ohio State, the whole nation is watching.”
Ariz tied it to the roster cycle.
“This team is built to win now,” Ariz said. “Next year there won’t be a Carson Beck, a Bain, a Mauigoa, a Jalobe Thomas. You’ve got to go far with this team.”
Kim sees the opportunity.
“Making the playoff was a step. Beating an SEC team on the road was a big step,” he said. “Now we’ve got another chance on Wednesday night. It matters.”
And for Kim, that’s the real point: Miami isn’t here to hang around. They’re here to prove they belong.
