Overview
- Miami meets defending champion Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve, with Carson Beck healthy as the Hurricanes’ starter.
- In his first season at Miami after transferring from Georgia, Beck threw for 3,175 yards with a program-record 74.5% completion rate, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as the team went 11–2.
- Beck’s playoff debut for Miami produced a career-low 103 passing yards in the road win at Texas A&M, spotlighting questions about the passing game entering the quarterfinal.
- Ohio State brings one of the nation’s top defenses, allowing 8.2 points per game with 33 sacks and 2.8 yards per rush, presenting a demanding test for Miami’s offense.
- At Cotton Bowl Media Day, Beck emphasized preparation lessons from Georgia, while commentators contend Miami likely needs a high-level performance from him and Urban Meyer says these playoff games could influence his NFL draft stock.