The Miami Hurricanes are one win away from competing for a national championship in their own backyard.
Just think about that for a second.
We all had expectations for this team, and they were met once we made the College Football Playoff. The majority knew they had the roster to make a run, but to see it come to fruition is just awesome.
Now it’s time to go back to business and continue this run.
Miami will face Ole Miss, which just had an incredible win over Georgia.
Both teams are scorching hot and
riding the momentum they have generated. There are so many fun matchups to cover in this game, but there is one that will have a massive impact on who will win the game.
Carson Beck vs. Ole Miss Pass Defense
So far in these College Football Playoff games, not a lot has been asked of Carson Beck, and rightfully so.
In the first game, Miami faced one of the country’s best defenses in Texas A&M and played in not only the most hostile environment but also in winds over 30 miles per hour. It was difficult to have a consistent passing game with the conditions and a stout defense.
In the next game, the Hurricanes faced the best defense in the country and did a great job in exposing their only weakness on that side of the ball. Ohio State’s defensive line wasn’t as advertised, and Miami wore them down with the running game. All Shannon Dawson asked Beck to do was manage the game, and that was all it took. He also made timely plays on key third-down passes and even with his legs.
Now going up against the Ole Miss Rebels defense, more will be asked of Beck because of its weaknesses and overall style of play.
The offense of Ole Miss is scorching hot right now and can put up points in nearly every drive. So if the game turns into a shootout, Beck has the capability to keep up and make big plays against this defense.
Ole Miss allows 11.5 yards per completion and doesn’t get to the quarterback as consistently as many would think. Miami’s offensive line should have an advantage on Thursday against the Rebels’ defensive line and give Beck time to make the right decisions.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), they have Ole Miss graded the 83rd-best pass rush in the country at 69.4. When it comes to their pass coverage grade, PFF has them as the 71st-best unit in the country with a grade of 74.8.
The Canes have played better units, but the confidence with which the Rebels are playing can’t be understated.
This is going to be a big game for Beck, and he needs to get the ball to his playmakers. Malachi Toney should have his big outpouring game against the Rebels. I like his matchup against their secondary, and if Dawson can scheme up some opportunities for yards after the catch, it’ll be a massive night for Toney.
Ole Miss has the 81st-best tackling grade in the country, per PFF. That is their second-worst graded unit on their team, with their run blocking the worst overall.
Alongside Toney, CJ Daniels should have a significant impact in this game as well.
Beck will have the opportunities to make big chunk plays. The running game will always be there for Miami, and they should have success in that department. They are playing a better run defense, so the success rate might not be as high as it has been in the last two games, but because of the line-of-scrimmage advantage, they should still have some nice gains on the ground.
For Miami to play one more home game, they will need Beck to perform the way we know he can. His ability shouldn’t be questioned on whether he can do it. He has proven it in his career, and he has even shown it this year with Miami.
I like this matchup for Beck and Miami’s passing attack.
And I’ll leave you with this.
One underrated player that can change the dynamic of this game in the passing attack for the Hurricanes: Keelan Marion.
