The 39-34 win by Mississippi in the Sugar Bowl over Georgia prevented Carson Beck from playing against his former team in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday. Pregame narratives will shift greatly with Miami playing Mississippi in the Fiesta Bowl instead of Georgia.
Beck will be able to focus on playing in the Fiesta Bowl against Mississippi instead of answering infinite questions about competing against Georgia. Beck was one of, if not the most high-profile transfer during the 2025 portal cycle.
Beck is second nationally completing 74.4 percent of his pass attempts, for 3.313 yards, 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2025. In the College Football Playoff games against Texas A&M, Beck has completed 71.7 percent of his pass attempts for 241 yards, two TDs and no interceptions.
Beck has perfectly managed the Miami offense in the wins over Texas A&M and Ohio State. Miami ran 65 times for 328 yards and one TD against Texas A&M and Ohio State to take pressure off of Beck. Beck appeared on ESPN SportsCenter and spoke with Scott Van Pelt after the win over Ohio State.
"When...the college football playoff bracket came out...it's hard not to look forward...you look at the bracket you look at the way that things could pan out and now obviously...having beat Texas A&M and...Ohio State and...earning the right to...play...in the semifinals it's hard not to...look forward to that...and...see the two teams that we could end up playing....I'm super excited for this team and the opportunity to play in the semi-finals and whichever team...is able to win that game....We'll go in and prepare and we'll make the most of it."Carson Beck
Beck did not specifically mention Georgia in the interview with VanPelt. If Georgia had beaten Mississippi, the biggest storyline for the Fiesta Bowl would have been Beck against the Bulldogs. The storyline now might be which Mississippi coaches will be available for the Fiesta Bowl.
Beck essentially stated that he looked ahead on the bracket. Miami needed to win at Texas A&M and beat reigning National Champion, Ohio State, to set up their half of the potential Hollywood script to play Georgia. Mississippi had other ideas with its own Hollywood script.
Mississippi lost head coach Lane Kiffin to LSU before the College Football Playoff started. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding was promoted by Mississippi to head coach ahead of the CFP. Golding has led Mississippi to two CFP wins and is halfway to a Steve Fisher-esque run to the title.
Beck will almost definitely be asked about his thoughts on playing Mississippi instead of Georgia. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal has Beck and the Hurricanes focused on the next game. Cristobal has instilled a focus of 1-0 each week. Miami and Beck will continue their focus on Mississippi in the Fiesta Bowl.