Indiana football: Q&A with State of The U ahead of the national championship

This is it. Indiana football is set to take on Miami on Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

By now you’ve seen all the national voices weigh in on this game, so we reached out to our friends over at State of The U, our sister site covering all things Miami in the SB Nation network, to learn more about the Hurricanes from the folks who’ve been watching them all season.

Here’s what they had to say:

Q: What was the general vibe around Miami’s program when Mario Cristobal took over? Did it seem immediately like there was a path to return to contention nationally? Finally, is it a bit more special that one of Miami’s very own is the one to lead the Hurricanes here?

StateofTheU: The vibes around the program when Cristobal took over were not great. Sure, the players loved Manny Diaz and everything, but 7-5 isn’t the goal or standard. While there were some who thought this could be an immediate turn around, Cristobal was clear that this was a full teardown, not a cosmetic renovation. He was right, and Miami basically rebuilt their entire program and infrastructure from the ground up, but that work has paid off and brought us here. 

Of course it’s special to have a Miami alum returning here to coach. It’s always special to come home again, and Cristobal, having had success in multiple other locations, is building Miami into the kind of program that can sustain success in the new era of College Football. 

Q: What does this program truly mean to the folks around Miami from someone who’s seen it firsthand? Everyone has seen the documentaries and knows the stories, but what’s it like through your eyes?

StateofTheU: The Canes Football program is the program of the people. Sure, I went to The U for college, but there are so many from the city who have identified with and love this team. In the “documentary days”, Miami was the representation of the city itself, with homegrown players taking starring roles. That has continued to be the case, and the connection between team and community is strong. Miami is among the top teams in community service hours annually, and that’s not just window service. They love supporting the City, and much of the City loves supporting them, too. Although, it must be said, there are plenty of Seminole and Gator fans down here, as well (but hey, we can’t have everyone make good decisions, right?)

Q: Miami, not unlike Indiana, has built talented rosters and signed transfer portal quarterbacks to guide the offense. What’s different between the Carson Beck offense and last season’s Cam Ward offense? What has Beck done to put Miami in this position?

StateofTheU: Last year, Cam Ward and the bomb squad dialed up big plays at an insane rate, and scored at will. Ward would hold the ball in the pocket forever, searching for the homerun ball. And he’d find it. Miami would run the ball, and had a 1,000 yard rusher, but the offense was All Cam Ward Everything. 

This year, Beck’s steady performance and accuracy have been the key to the offense. Miami runs the ball more than last year, and plays at an even slower tempo than last year, which despite the big play offense was pedestrian. This year’s offense was always going to look different, because Cam Ward is a singular talent, and he’s not playing here anymore. Still, Miami’s been ruthlessly efficient as a team, and intermittently explosive, and that’s been a good combination.

Q: Miami’s offense keeps finding ways to win these games, between controlling the game against Texas A&M and Ohio State and getting a score at the most important time against Mississippi. What makes this offense work?

The offense works because it’s good. The offensive line is one of the biggest and best in the country. The quarterback is a veteran player with great accuracy and talent. The running back room is deep and talented, and led by a 6’2” 225lb bruiser in Mark Fletcher Jr. And the receivers have stepped up to make plays, both as blockers in the run game, and in the pass game. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention WR Malachi Toney, an All-American and the most dynamic playmaker Miami has on offense. Put all that together, add in a top 20 3rd down conversion rate, and top 30 red zone touchdown rate, and you have the makings of a very diverse and successful offense. 

Q: Which names on offense are circled on whiteboards in Indiana’s facilities this week? Why?

StateofTheU:

• Carson Beck. Starting QB who is 16-3 against ranked teams in 3 years starting at Georgia and Miami. He has the ball on nearly every play. His name is on the list. 
• RB Mark Fletcher Jr. Miami’s starting RB has taken over each of the Canes’ playoff games, is finally healthy after battling a foot injury last year, and looking like the high blue chip talent he was out of high school. 
• WR Malachi Toney. ACC freshman of the year. PFWA Freshman of the year. He’s shattered every freshman receiving record at Miami, has the most catches in a season in Miami history, and is 83 yards from the most receiving yards in Miami history. AND he runs the ball. AND he throws the ball. He’s already a household name, and his name is probably at the top of the list for Indiana, if we’re being honest. 

Q: Moving over to the defense, what’s made it so good throughout this postseason run? What are the Hurricanes trying to do to affect the game on that side of the ball?

StateofTheU: Miami’s been more physical than their playoff opponents, and played with a level of excellence they can’t match. The defensive line has been well and truly dominant, the linebackers have been enforcers, and stars in the secondary have stepped up to make plays repeatedly.

The plan has been simple: stop the run, get the opponent behind the sticks, dominate pass rush on 3rd down, and win. Sounds simple, sure, but when you’re able to do it, who cares?

Q: Rueben Bain Jr. needs no introduction and is gonna be lots of fun to watch on Sundays. What makes him great? The rest of Miami’s defensive line is excellent as well, what are they doing to get to quarterbacks and change opposing gameplans?

StateofTheU: Rueben Bain Jr. is a master technician, plays with a tireless motor, and is as strong as an ox. He’s able to use a combination of skill and brute strength to win battles in both pass and run defense settings, and he can turn a game on it’s head in an instant.

Fellow defensive end Akheem Mesidor is an underrated player with elite skills as well.
Overall, the line just wins their matchups more often than not. Bain and Mesidor are a monster rushing tandem, but Marquise Lightfoot and Armondo Blount add to that as well. Inside, Justin Scott, David Blay Jr, and Ahmad Moten Sr. wreck shop on the daily. Few interior OL can handle them (and Blount, who also plays inside), and their collective ability to push the line on any given play, combined with relentless pressure and some very good rush plans, make this group one of the best in the country. 

Q: Aside from the previously covered DL, what defensive names are circled on whiteboards in Indiana’s facilities this week?

• Nickel Keionte Scott. Had he not missed time with a foot injury, he’d have been a finalist if not won the Thorpe Award as the Nation’s best DB. He’s a Swiss Army knife defender, who is equally adept at blitzing from the slot, defending the run as the apex defender outside the bow, and playing pass coverage. He’s the MVP of this defense if not for Bain, and even still, he’s an elite player Indiana will want to identify on every play. 
• Safety Jakobe Thomas. A physical player who will bring the hammer in the run game, but also affect the pass game with good range and physicality at the catch point. Thomas is one of the emotional leaders of this team, and his stellar play has been key to Miami’s improvement on defense this season.
• Linebacker Mo Toure. A veteran player who played for our DC at a previous stop (Rutgers), Toure is the heart of the run defense for the Canes. He’s been surprisingly mobile in short/intermediate passing defense as well, and he’s the signal caller for the defense. His ability to fit the run vs Indiana will be essential for Miami’s defensive success. 

Q: How does Miami win this game?

StateofTheU: Miami wins this game by beating Indiana up along both lines. Leaning into their physicality during the playoffs has been a boon for Miami against some of the best teams in the country, and that will need to continue.

Run the ball and stop the run. This is foundational to Cristobal’s view of football, and it’s been key to Miami’s success. By running the ball well with Mark Fletcher Jr., and holding Indiana to a low rushing total – something that other physical teams have been able to do this season – Miami will be in position to win.
Win the turnover battle. This is a tall task against one of the best turnover ratio teams in the country, but I think that will need to happen for Miami to win. 

A Carson Beck masterclass. Something like 24/29 for 275 yards with 2 TDs and 0 Ints.

And, a game-breaking play or three. That could come from the defense on a strip sack. It could come from Malachi Toney breaking loose. It could come from a cornerback winning a back-shoulder fade rep and getting an interception. But a play, or more likely plays, where a Miami player’s singular excellence turns the tide in a positive way will be needed. 

Q: How does Miami lose this game?

StateofTheU: Turnovers. First and foremost, you cannot give Indiana the ball. 

Playing a sloppy game. Penalties, which have intermittently been an issue for Miami this season, getting up over 4 for the game. Having to waste timeouts. Dropping interception or fumble recovery opportunities. Missing blocking assignments. Dropping passes. Not finishing tackles. General sloppiness of any of those types will help Miami lose.

Not being ready for Indiana’s physicality, mentality, and overall excellence. I don’t think this happens, but if Miami were to take this team lightly, it would be unwise, to say the least.

Q: Piggybacking here, what’s your score prediction and why?

StateofTheU: I have a ton of respect for Indiana. They’re the #1 seed, and the only undefeated team in the country. They’ve earned the right to be here with their performing excellence, and are the toughest challenge Miami will face this season.

Even with that respect, I’m going with my team, my alma mater, to find a way to do what others have failed in accomplishing and beating this opponent over 60 minutes of football. Miami is built for this moment, and while Indiana is very, VERY good, they’re not unbeatable. It will take a remarkable effort to beat them, sure, but they’re not invincible. And I believe Miami is the team that will do it.

This will be an incredible game, and an incredible moment for both teams, but only one team can win and I believe that will be the Miami Hurricanes.

Final score: Miami 24 Indiana 20