The stage is set for a heavyweight showdown in the Cotton Bowl Classic, where the Miami Hurricanes will take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal that’s got all the makings of a classic. And if Miami is going to punch its ticket to the next round, there’s no question who needs to lead the charge: quarterback Carson Beck.
Beck’s been the engine of this Miami offense all season, and now, with everything on the line, the Hurricanes will lean on his poise, precision, and playmaking ability more than ever. But this isn’t just about Beck showing up - it’s about the entire offense finding its rhythm after a long layoff. Since their late-November win over Pittsburgh, Miami’s only played once, and that kind of downtime can mess with a team’s timing.
That’s something legendary former Alabama head coach Nick Saban zeroed in on during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. Saban, who knows a thing or two about preparing for high-stakes postseason games, pointed out that extended breaks can disrupt a team’s flow - especially on offense.
Still, Saban didn’t mince words about what Miami needs to do to win. “They’re gonna have to score more points to be able to beat Ohio State because it’s a tough matchup against the Buckeyes,” he said.
And he’s right. This Ohio State defense is no joke - fast, physical, and opportunistic.
They’ve got playmakers on every level, and if Miami’s not careful, one mistake can turn into six points the other way.
That puts the spotlight squarely on Beck. He’ll need to be sharp from the opening snap - not just accurate, but composed.
This isn’t the kind of game where you can afford to ease into things. Against a team like Ohio State, you’ve got to come out firing, and you’ve got to protect the football.
Saban emphasized that point, noting that giving the Buckeyes extra possessions is a recipe for disaster.
Turnovers have been a problem that Ohio State’s defense is built to exploit. They’ve shown all season they can flip momentum in a heartbeat, and if Beck isn’t careful, that could be the difference in the game.
Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson echoed that sentiment, stressing the importance of patience and composure. In games like this, it’s easy to press - to try to make a big play happen instead of letting it come naturally. But Dawson knows that forcing things rarely ends well, especially against a defense as disciplined as Ohio State’s.
The Hurricanes have found success this season by staying balanced - mixing the run and pass, keeping defenses guessing, and letting Beck operate with confidence. That formula doesn’t need to change now.
If anything, it needs to be executed to perfection. Miami doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel - they just need to stay true to what’s worked.
This is a moment that can define a season - and possibly a program. With the eyes of the college football world on them, Miami has a clear path forward: protect the football, stay balanced, and let Carson Beck lead the way. If they do that, they’ll give themselves a real shot to knock off Ohio State and take a giant step toward a national title.