Udynasty
Redshirt Freshman
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2012
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What a year it has been for the Miami Hurricanes. The Canes have won 11 games for the first time since 2003 and are an ascendant power after winning 10+ games the past two years and making the CFB Playoff. Miami’s first test came in the form of 11–1 Texas A&M at Kyle Field in front of 104,000 Aggies. Miami was able to come away with a 10–3 victory, giving them an opportunity to fight another day.
Miami’s reward for beating one of the top SEC teams? The National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Miami and Ohio State have not played each other since 2011, a game Miami won 24–6. However, the Canes and the Buckeyes have not faced off in a playoff game since the infamous 2003 Fiesta Bowl, where one of the most egregious calls in college football history prevented Miami from winning its second consecutive national championship.
Now Miami has the opportunity to return the favor and knock out the national champs as the two face each other in the 90th Cotton Bowl. With Ohio State’s roster loaded with NFL talent, this will be the most talented team the Hurricanes will face all season, and their toughest test. So how can Miami win this game?
KEYS TO WIN
Carson Beck
For the Canes, winning starts at the premier position: quarterback. Miami brought in Carson Beck (35–5 in his career) to win these types of games. Beck has been magnificent for Miami since SMU, posting 1,228 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, one interception, and a 78.0% completion rate.
Yet despite Beck playing like a seasoned veteran, many Miami fans don’t trust him to win big games because of Miami’s two losses against Louisville and SMU—especially the SMU loss, where Beck had the worst game of his career, throwing four interceptions. So what led to that performance, and what can Beck do if Ohio State gives him similar looks?
Louisville relied heavily on pre-snap disguise and post-snap rotations that created confusion. They showed two-high safety looks or single-high alignments pre-snap, only to roll coverages by dropping into zone while blitzing or baiting Beck into thinking he had man coverage when, in reality, the Cardinals had bracket coverage waiting underneath or over the top. Louisville delivered a masterclass game plan, blending man and zone coverages and exploiting Beck’s tendency to lock onto his primary target.
The Cardinals were also able to stop the run while consistently pressuring the passer, forcing the Canes into third-and-long situations where they could unleash blitzes, stunts, and pressures that disrupted Beck’s timing all night and prevented him from getting into a rhythm.
Expect Matt Patricia to emulate many of those same concepts. The difference is that Ohio State has better players and superior athletes across the board. Beck must be patient and avoid locking onto Malachi Toney or throwing into triple coverage. Instead, he needs to spread the ball quickly and take what the defense gives him.
Using motion and RPOs to take advantage of the extra attention Patricia will give Toney could turn bracket coverages into opportunities for players like Daniels, Marion, and even Lofton to make big plays. If Beck remains patient and doesn’t lock onto Toney, the Canes will have a strong chance to win this game.
Win The Trenches
Similar to Texas A&M, this will be a heavyweight battle. Ohio State enters with the top-ranked defense in the nation (#1 passing, #5 rushing). If Miami is going to win, they must dominate the trenches.
Miami’s offensive line needs to at least hold its own against Ohio State’s elite defensive front. If the Buckeyes consistently get to Beck, it could be a long day for the Canes. However, we saw Francis Mauigoa and Markel Bell answer the call against a very solid Texas A&M defense, with A&M’s star defensive end finishing with just two total tackles.
Miami’s offensive line—arguably the best in the nation—must step up again.
On the defensive side, Miami may have the best defensive line in college football. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor are absolute animals and might be the best one-two pass-rushing duo in America. Against the Aggies, Miami’s defense allowed just three points while generating seven sacks and nine tackles for loss. They also forced a fumble, recorded two interceptions, and blocked a field goal.
Bain and Mesidor combined for 18 pressures and 4.5 sacks against the mobile Marcel Reed. Julian Sayin does not possess Reed’s running ability, but he is a deadly passer who will carve up defenses if given time. Miami must rattle the young redshirt freshman in the biggest game of his career. If the Canes can consistently pressure Sayin, this becomes a very different game.
Make OSU One-Dimensional
Miami cannot allow Ohio State to control the game with its rushing attack. Bo Jackson has had a strong season, eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards with five touchdowns. Corey Hetherman’s defense must slow the run and force the Buckeyes to become one-dimensional.
Against Texas A&M, Miami allowed just 89 rushing yards on 35 carries (2.5 yards per carry). Rueben Owens was limited to seven carries for 21 yards. Miami also faced one of the nation’s best offensive lines in Notre Dame and two elite backs in Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love, holding them to a combined 78 yards on 16 carries.
To beat Ohio State, Miami must continue swarming the run and winning at the point of attack.
Tackling
One issue that has plagued the Canes for years is tackling. Against Louisville, Chris Bell hurt Miami not by consistently getting behind the defense, but by breaking tackles.
Jeremiah Smith is the best wide receiver in college football—a bigger, more explosive version of Bell at 6’3”, 223 pounds. Carnell Tate is another big-bodied receiver at 6’3”, 195 pounds. Miami must tackle well, because Ohio State’s elite receivers will turn missed tackles into game-breaking plays.
OSU Players to Watch
Ohio State is loaded with NFL talent. While it’s impossible to list everyone, these are the players most likely to give Miami trouble:
Kayden McDonald (DT) – Consensus All-American and arguably the best defensive tackle in the nation. At 6’3”, 326 pounds, McDonald is powerful, explosive, and disruptive. James Brockermeyer will need help all game.
Caleb Downs (S) – Another consensus All-American and widely considered the best safety in college football. Downs is versatile, intelligent, and a true playmaker.
Jeremiah Smith (WR) – Consensus All-American and the best wide receiver in the country. A generational talent with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and 11 touchdowns this year.
Carnell Tate (WR) – A potential top-three receiver nationally opposite Smith. Recorded 838 yards and nine touchdowns on just 48 receptions.
Arvell Reese (LB) – A first-round-caliber linebacker with 62 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and two pass deflections. Elite versatility and pass-rush ability.
Sonny Styles (LB) – Another standout linebacker with 81 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception, and three pass deflections. Remarkably, he has a 0% missed tackle rate.
Julian Sayin (QB) – Redshirt freshman Heisman candidate who threw for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just six interceptions with a 90.1 QBR.
Caden Curry (DE)- We have talked about Miami's vaunted EDGE rushers as a strength of the program. Ohio State alsobring in a lethal pass rush led by another All- American in Caden Curry. Curry has 60 tackles with 11 sacks and 1 FF on the year. he is fast and he is strong and will be one of the best if not the best EDGE Miami's offensive line has seen this year.
Miami X-Factor
CJ Daniels – A senior playmaker whose iconic catch against Notre Dame is etched in Miami lore. With Ohio State focusing on Malachi Toney, Daniels must capitalize on his opportunities.
Prediction
This game will be a war. Ohio State is the national champion for a reason—elite coaching, elite talent, and the top defense in the nation. However, Miami has an edge in the trenches. The Canes’ depth and pass-rush rotation can overwhelm an Ohio State offensive line that is good, but not elite.
Ohio State has also been off for 25 days, while Miami just came out of a physical battle against Texas A&M. That recent test may help Miami shake off rust early.
I expect a back-and-forth battle for four quarters, but ultimately Miami’s veteran quarterback and dominant trench play will be just enough to rattle Julian Sayin. Mario Cristobal earns his first bowl win at Miami, and the Hurricanes claim their first major New Year’s Six victory since the 2004 Orange Bowl.
Miami is here and officially a national title contender.
Final Score:
Miami 23
Ohio State 20