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.