Heading into the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl, Miami’s offensive line isn’t just playing well - it’s been one of the most reliable units in the country. Ranked 10th nationally in sacks allowed, giving up just 1.0 per game, this group has been the unsung hero behind the Hurricanes' postseason push. If Miami is going to pull off an upset against a physical, fast Ohio State defense, that protection has to hold up.
The numbers back it up. According to Pro Football Focus, Miami owns the third-best pass-blocking grade in the nation at 86.8.
That’s no small feat, especially considering the caliber of pass rushers they’ve faced this season. But it’s not just the line doing the work - quarterback Beck has played a major role in keeping himself clean.
He’s getting the ball out in an average of 2.33 seconds per attempt, which ranks third in the FBS. That quick trigger has been crucial in neutralizing pressure and keeping the offense on schedule.
And here’s where things get interesting: Miami leads the country in lowest pressure rate allowed at just 15.8%. That’s a full five percentage points better than any other team in the nation.
No one else is even under 21%. That kind of dominance in pass protection sets the tone for everything Miami wants to do offensively.
But when Beck does face pressure, the drop-off is noticeable. His PFF grade when kept clean is a strong 84.0 - good enough for 58th in the FBS.
But under pressure, that number plummets to 42.0, ranking 122nd. The story is similar when it comes to blitzes.
Beck holds his own when defenses sit back, posting an 84.3 grade when not blitzed (18th nationally), but that dips to 60.0 when the heat comes, landing him at 112th.
And Ohio State? They’re built to bring the heat.
The Buckeyes rank eighth nationally with a 39.7% pressure rate, and they’re not shy about dialing up the blitz. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is known for his aggressive schemes, and this game sets up as a perfect opportunity to turn up the pressure on Beck.
Expect Ohio State to test Miami's protection early and often.
That said, the Buckeyes don’t blitz as frequently as you might expect - just 36.7% of the time, which ranks 72nd in the FBS. But when they do, they’re efficient.
On throws that come out within 2.5 seconds - the kind Beck specializes in - Ohio State still manages a 20.4% pressure rate, good for 19th nationally. They’re also 30th in sacks per game (2.54) and average 5.69 tackles for loss, ranking 58th.
In eight games this season, they’ve recorded multiple sacks, showing they can bring consistent disruption.
Now it’s up to Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson to counterpunch. He’ll need a plan that keeps Beck upright and in rhythm.
That could mean adding a tight end to the protection scheme or keeping a running back in the backfield to pick up blitzers. But scheme alone won’t be enough.
Beck has to continue getting the ball out fast, and Dawson will need to find ways to get playmakers like Malachi Toney involved quickly - especially if Ohio State starts bringing extra bodies.
The challenge is steep. Ohio State hasn’t allowed more than 16 points in a single game all season.
They’ve only gone sackless twice - against Purdue and UCLA - and still won those games by a combined 82-10. In their biggest matchups of the year, they’ve kept the pressure coming: one sack each against Michigan and Texas, and three against Indiana.
So, here’s the matchup to watch: Miami’s elite pass protection versus Ohio State’s relentless pressure. If Beck can stay upright and in rhythm, the Hurricanes have a shot. But if Patricia’s defense gets home early and often, it could be a long night in Arlington.