Steve "k9" Kim joined the CanesInSight Podcast to discuss this historic moment in Canes Football. A transcript of the discussion is below:
DMoney:
He’s one of those popular guys. Every time we do a road game, everybody says, “I saw Steve Kim. I saw Steve Kim.” It’s always a very big deal when you bring on the legend Steve K9 Kim. Steve, how we doing?
Steve Kim:
Doing great, guys. Just think about it. One week from today, we will be playing for the national championship. It’s surreal. Just even saying it doesn’t feel real, but it is. We are playing for the national championship, January 19th, 2026. When you actually say it out loud, it still almost feels like something you’re dreaming about rather than something that’s really happening.
Say whatever you want about Carson Beck — he has etched himself into Hurricane lore forever with that play. That last drive didn’t surprise me because I’ve heard Carson talk about moments like that before. Last spring he did a podcast with his quarterback coach and his pastor, and they asked him his most memorable moment. He talked about Auburn in 2023, backed up inside their own five, telling the huddle, “If we get this done, you’ll never forget it.” He’s built for that moment.
And that’s why when I see him now, I don’t see a guy who’s just good. I see a guy who thinks he’s the best. Coming into 2024 he was mocked as the #1 overall pick. Then he struggled, then the off-field noise, then the way things ended at Georgia. All of that clouded the perception. But in these playoffs he’s gotten better every game.
He still missed throws against Ole Miss — that seam to Malachi Toney, a couple of deep shots — and Mario even said they left 10 to 13 points out there. But that last drive was validation. That was him saying, “I can do this when it matters.”
DMoney:
What was it like being in the stadium?
Steve Kim:
Every Miami playoff game has been heart-stopping. Kyle Field was a slugfest. Ohio State was tension from start to finish. Ole Miss was frustration before elation.
Miami dominated the first quarter. Then Ole Miss flips the field with that 75-yard run. Miami had chances to separate — field goals instead of touchdowns. Beck hits Keelan Marion late to go up 17-10, you get a stop, you think you’re about to own the middle eight, and then a sack, a punt, and suddenly it’s 17-13 instead of two scores.
That’s why this game stayed close. And that’s why against Indiana, Miami has to be cleaner.
DMoney:
Let’s talk Indiana…
Steve Kim:
Indiana is not some plucky underdog. I’ve talked to NFL personnel people who say they’re one of the five or six most talented rosters in the country. They’re well coached, they have multiple draft picks, and they play extremely sound football.
But here’s where Miami has advantages: they haven’t played at Hard Rock since November 15. They get 10 to 11 days of rest. No travel. That matters. And Miami is built to win now. This isn’t house money. In this era, you don’t get guaranteed second chances.
Mario Cristobal believes football is a collision sport. He recruits mass, size, violence, guys who enjoy contact. And against two SEC teams and Ohio State, Miami was the more physical team every time. That’s why I agree with Ryan Clark — Miami is the most traditional SEC-style team in this tournament.
Indiana runs a quick-hitting run game. They want to stay on schedule. To beat them, Miami has to get them into third-and-long and let the pass rush take over. If Miami controls the trenches, I like their chances.
DMoney:
He’s one of those popular guys. Every time we do a road game, everybody says, “I saw Steve Kim. I saw Steve Kim.” It’s always a very big deal when you bring on the legend Steve K9 Kim. Steve, how we doing?
Steve Kim:
Doing great, guys. Just think about it. One week from today, we will be playing for the national championship. It’s surreal. Just even saying it doesn’t feel real, but it is. We are playing for the national championship, January 19th, 2026. When you actually say it out loud, it still almost feels like something you’re dreaming about rather than something that’s really happening.
Say whatever you want about Carson Beck — he has etched himself into Hurricane lore forever with that play. That last drive didn’t surprise me because I’ve heard Carson talk about moments like that before. Last spring he did a podcast with his quarterback coach and his pastor, and they asked him his most memorable moment. He talked about Auburn in 2023, backed up inside their own five, telling the huddle, “If we get this done, you’ll never forget it.” He’s built for that moment.
And that’s why when I see him now, I don’t see a guy who’s just good. I see a guy who thinks he’s the best. Coming into 2024 he was mocked as the #1 overall pick. Then he struggled, then the off-field noise, then the way things ended at Georgia. All of that clouded the perception. But in these playoffs he’s gotten better every game.
He still missed throws against Ole Miss — that seam to Malachi Toney, a couple of deep shots — and Mario even said they left 10 to 13 points out there. But that last drive was validation. That was him saying, “I can do this when it matters.”
DMoney:
What was it like being in the stadium?
Steve Kim:
Every Miami playoff game has been heart-stopping. Kyle Field was a slugfest. Ohio State was tension from start to finish. Ole Miss was frustration before elation.
Miami dominated the first quarter. Then Ole Miss flips the field with that 75-yard run. Miami had chances to separate — field goals instead of touchdowns. Beck hits Keelan Marion late to go up 17-10, you get a stop, you think you’re about to own the middle eight, and then a sack, a punt, and suddenly it’s 17-13 instead of two scores.
That’s why this game stayed close. And that’s why against Indiana, Miami has to be cleaner.
DMoney:
Let’s talk Indiana…
Steve Kim:
Indiana is not some plucky underdog. I’ve talked to NFL personnel people who say they’re one of the five or six most talented rosters in the country. They’re well coached, they have multiple draft picks, and they play extremely sound football.
But here’s where Miami has advantages: they haven’t played at Hard Rock since November 15. They get 10 to 11 days of rest. No travel. That matters. And Miami is built to win now. This isn’t house money. In this era, you don’t get guaranteed second chances.
Mario Cristobal believes football is a collision sport. He recruits mass, size, violence, guys who enjoy contact. And against two SEC teams and Ohio State, Miami was the more physical team every time. That’s why I agree with Ryan Clark — Miami is the most traditional SEC-style team in this tournament.
Indiana runs a quick-hitting run game. They want to stay on schedule. To beat them, Miami has to get them into third-and-long and let the pass rush take over. If Miami controls the trenches, I like their chances.
