Preseason projections had Ole Miss and Miami as afterthoughts; tonight, they’re the only thing that matters.
It was particularly tough for Miami at the beginning, though. You can’t lose a Heisman-caliber QB and your top six receivers without everyone assuming you’re in a rebuilding year.
While the Canes were busy trying to find their footing with Beck, the Rebels were weaponizing theirs with Chambliss.
Perhaps that difference turns out to be the thing that gives Ole Miss the edge over Miami in the Fiesta Bowl.
Beck's risky plays could turn into Miami's nightmare
Beck has been a major reason behind Miami losing this year. The Canes' QB has pulled off plays, but not without some unnecessarily risky plays.
Being ranked 68th in the nation in the percentage of dropbacks that result in interceptions doesn't mean just a bad day; it's poor discipline.
Beck's habit of putting has a habit of putting the ball in harm's way once every few drives makes Miami's passing game look like a turnover waiting to happen.
Ole Miss would be seriously exploiting it.
Agreed that the Rebs have not been amazing at forcing interceptions, but they do force 1.1 takeaways per game.
Golding's defense has guys like Wydett Williams Jr. and Suntarine Perkins who have been the one to make big pass breaks. They just need to force one mistake out of Beck.
Even Georgia's QB fell prey to the scheme, as Perkins came on a blitz, blew past the protection, and strip-sacked Stockton for a 10-yard loss in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss scored a TD just two plays later.
More than anything, this shows how Ole Miss's defense knows exactly when to be opportunistic. It is something they will put to good use against the Canes in the Fiesta Bowl.