The Canes Need Beck To Play Smart To Move On
Miami only wins its Cotton Bowl matchup against Ohio State with the good Carson Beck — the version that plays fast, protects the ball and stacks completions until Ohio State starts pressing.
That version shows up when Beck trusts the structure. He identifies opportunities before the snap, then fires on rhythm. He takes the easy throw on first down, turns it into 2nd and mid, and keeps the whole call sheet alive. He lives on slants, hitches, crossers and backs in the flat, then hits a deep shot only after the defense overreacts. He treats checkdowns like explosives in disguise.
Good Beck owns the pocket. He climbs instead of drifting, resets his base instead of fading off throws, and keeps his eyes downfield while the rush closes. He avoids panic scrambles that cut the field in half. He throws the ball away when the picture collapses. That discipline matters against an Ohio State defense that thrives on hesitation and punishes loose footwork with pressure, tips and turnovers.
Miami cannot survive the bad Carson Beck against Ohio State. Bad Beck holds the ball, double-clutches and forces balls into small windows. Bad Beck tries to win the game in one throw. Bad Beck trusts his arm more than what he sees. One or two of those decisions can flip this matchup, because Ohio State rarely needs help.
Miami needs a plan that pulls Beck toward his best habits.
Start with first-down efficiency. Lean on the run game, quick screens and RPOs to keep the chains friendly and the pass rush honest. OC Shannon Dawson should call safe, simple throws: glance routes, stick concepts, and swing passes that turn linebackers into tacklers in space. Miami can still take shots, but those shots should come at the right times.
Situational football will decide everything. On third down, Beck has to pick matchups early and take the throw that moves the sticks. In the red zone, he must avoid the killer mistake. No late throws across the field, no jump balls into bracket coverage, no back-foot fades into the end zone. Points matter. Field goals keep Miami alive. Turnovers end the night.
Miami does not need fireworks from Beck. Miami needs command. If Beck delivers the good version of himself who plays decisive, protected, patient and ruthless with the easy yards, Miami can keep with Ohio State and pull off the upset. If the bad version shows up, the Buckeyes won’t give the Hurricanes a chance.
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