Miami enters the College Football Playoff quarterfinal in the Cotton Bowl, 10th nationally, allowing 1.0 sack per game. The ability for Miami to continue to protect Beck at a high level is significant for the Hurricanes to have a chance to upset Ohio State.
In his preview of Miami versus Ohio State, Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus noted that Miami is third nationally with an 86.8 pass blocking grade. Beck has helped the Miami offensive line by being third in the Football Bowl Subdivision, averaging 2.33 seconds per pass attempt, per Chadwick.
Chadwick also noted that Miami is by far the leader nationally, allowing a 15.8 pressure rate. No one else nationally is below 21.0 percent. When Beck is pressured, his production has decreased. Beck has an 84. PFF grade when kept clean, 58th in the Football Bowl Subdivision per Chadwick.
When Beck is pressured, he has a 42.0 grade, 122nd in FBS, is 18th with an 84.3 PFF grade when he isn't blitzed, and is 112th with a 60.0 PFF grade when he is blitzed per Chadwick. Ohio State is eighth nationally with a 39.7 pressure rate per Chadwick.
"Look for (Ohio State) defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to dial up the blitzes even more in this game in an effort to disrupt Beck even more."Max Chadwick, Pro Football Focus
Bringing the blitz
The Buckeyes blitz 36.7 percent of the time, 72nd in FBS. Ohio State is 19th with a 20.4 pressure rate on throws that are within 2.5 seconds per Chadwick. Ohio State is 58th, averaging 5.69 tackles for loss and 30th, posting 2.54 sacks per game. The Buckeyes have had multiple sacks in eight 2025 games.
How Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson decides to counter the Ohio State blitz will be a key strategic matchup. Dawson could choose to use an extra tight end or keep a running back in pass protection. Beck needs to get the ball out quickly and Dawson needs to find creative ways to get Malachi Toney involved.
Ohio State has not allowed over 16 points this season. Purdue and UCLA were the only teams to hold Ohio State without a sack in 2025. The Buckeyes won those games by a combined 82-10. In its three biggest games in 2025, Ohio State had one sack each against Michigan and Texas and three versus Indiana.