Five Key Players (and a Whole Secondary) Who Could Swing It for Miami Against Ohio State
DALLAS - The Miami Hurricanes aren’t favored heading into their College Football Playoff quarterfinal clash with Ohio State, and that’s not exactly shocking. The Buckeyes have looked like a juggernaut all season long, spending most of the year perched atop the national rankings.
Their lone loss came against current No. 1 Indiana, and their roster is stacked with All-Americans across the board.
But don’t count Miami out just yet.
This is a team that’s already proven it can rise to the occasion. Remember, they went into College Station and knocked off Texas A&M as underdogs. The ‘Canes have the talent - now they need their stars to play like it on the biggest stage of the season.
If Miami’s going to pull the upset, these five players (and one entire unit) will need to leave their mark.
1. Carson Beck, Quarterback
Let’s start with the obvious: if Miami is going to beat Ohio State, Carson Beck has to be the guy.
Beck’s numbers against Texas A&M weren’t flashy, but his football IQ was on full display. His biggest contribution might’ve come off the stat sheet - he identified a vulnerability in the Aggies’ interior run defense and relayed it to offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, helping UM capitalize on the ground.
That kind of leadership matters. But against Ohio State, Beck’s going to need more than just good eyes and smart adjustments - he needs to make plays.
The Buckeyes’ defense is elite, and they’ll be keying in on Miami’s run game. That means Beck has to keep them honest through the air.
He closed the regular season playing some of his best football, and Miami will need that version of him on Wednesday.
2. Keelan Marion, Wide Receiver
When teams sell out to stop Malachi Toney - and Ohio State almost certainly will - someone else has to step up. That’s where Keelan Marion comes in.
The BYU transfer emerged late in the season as one of Beck’s go-to options, especially when CJ Daniels was battling injuries. Marion racked up 304 yards and a touchdown over the final four games of the regular season, showing he can be a reliable target. But against Texas A&M, he was mostly quiet - just three catches for 33 yards.
That can’t happen again.
If Marion can make the Buckeyes pay for overcommitting to Toney, it opens up the entire offense. He doesn’t need to take over the game, but he needs to be a consistent threat - someone who forces Ohio State to think twice about doubling Toney every snap.
3. James Brockermeyer, Center
Miami’s offensive line has been solid all season, and James Brockermeyer is a big reason why. But his toughest assignment of the year comes Wednesday.
Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald is a nightmare in the trenches. The All-American defensive tackle leads the nation in run-defense grade (92.2, per Pro Football Focus), and he’s a brick wall in the middle of that Buckeyes defense.
Brockermeyer, along with Miami’s guards, will be tasked with slowing him down. That’s no small feat.
If they can’t at least neutralize McDonald, Miami’s run game could get bottled up in a hurry. But if Brockermeyer can hold his own, it gives the Hurricanes a chance to establish balance - and that’s the key to keeping Ohio State’s defense off rhythm.
4. Rueben Bain Jr., Defensive End
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin has been surgical this season. When he’s kept clean in the pocket, he completes a jaw-dropping 83.1% of his passes - the best mark in the country. Even under pressure, he’s still completing over 61%, which ranks among the best nationally.
So what’s the game plan? Get him uncomfortable. And that job falls squarely on Rueben Bain Jr.
Bain has been a force all year long. His 91.6 pass-rushing grade is tied for 10th nationally among players with 100+ rushes, and his 66 quarterback pressures rank third in the country. He was a menace against Texas A&M, racking up three sacks, and he enters this game with 42 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, and 7.5 sacks on the year.
If Bain can disrupt Sayin’s rhythm, Miami’s defense has a shot to hold up. If not, Sayin could pick them apart.
5. Miami’s Secondary
Okay, we’re cheating a little here - but it’s warranted.
Ohio State’s wide receiver duo of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate is terrifying. Combined, they’ve piled up 1,924 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. Both rank in the top five nationally in receiving grade, and they can take over a game in a heartbeat.
Miami’s corners and safeties are going to have their hands full. It’s going to take a full-unit effort - tight coverage, smart help over the top, and sure tackling after the catch. The Hurricanes can’t afford to let either of these guys get loose.
If Miami’s secondary holds up, they give their front seven time to make plays. If not, it could be a long night.
The Bottom Line
Miami’s not walking into this game with the same star-studded résumé as Ohio State, but they’ve got the pieces to make it interesting - and even to win. It’s going to take a near-flawless performance from their leaders and playmakers, but the path is there.
Beck needs to be sharp. Marion has to be a threat.
Brockermeyer must anchor the line. Bain has to wreak havoc.
And the secondary? They need to play their best game of the season.
If all that happens, the Hurricanes just might shock the college football world.