The Miami Hurricanes outlasted the TAMU Aggies in a battle that featured two strong defenses and multiple playmakers for "The U" that made the difference and punched Miami's ticket to the Cotton Bowl Classic to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.
It's not that the Canes have no chance, despite the sizable spread for the No. 2-No. 10 matchup. There are a few clear areas Miami can exploit for an Ohio State squad that isn't perfect. Buckeyes nickel Lorenzo Styles Jr. is one of them.
Hurricanes receiver Malachi Toney, who can be deployed anywhere on the field but most frequently is used in the slot, could be Miami's main method of exploiting Ohio State in one of the few areas it could.
The Athletic's Cameron Teague Robinson believes the "spotlight" will be on Styles during the Buckeyes' first of potentially three games on their road to a second CFP title.
"When watching Miami’s offense, Toney jumps off the screen. He’s not just the best freshman in the country; he’s one of the best all-purpose weapons, period," Teague wrote.
"Miami will also use him as a runner at times in its wildcat formation, and it’ll line him up as a running back and send him on routes out of the backfield. He’s even thrown seven passes this year, including throwing a deep ball against the Aggies."
"As a receiver, he usually lines up in the slot, which makes him hard to stop because he’s so fast that he can get upfield on a deep crosser quickly, but he can also beat nickel corners and safeties over the top if they don’t have enough depth."
"Ohio State has a versatile defense with a loaded secondary, but it must identify where Toney is at all times and rally to the ball when it’s in his hands. Miami’s offense is at its best when Beck has time to throw, and the ball is getting to Toney. This will put a spotlight on Ohio State nickel Lorenzo Styles Jr."
Lorenzo Styles Jr. struggled for Ohio State in Indiana loss
As Cleveland.com's Stefan Krajisnik noted before the first round of the CFP, Styles struggled mightily during Ohio State's 13-10 loss to the Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Krajisnik was worried about the Buckeyes facing Toney or TAMU's KC Concepcion and Mario Craver before we learned Ohio State's second-round opponent.
"Ohio State’s defense has been stout on all three levels, but among the starters in the secondary, nickel Lorenzo Styles has shown some struggles. Indiana targeted him four times, leading to two completions for 61 yards and a pass interference penalty," Krajisnik prefaced before saying, "Miami and Texas A&M will likely attack him, too."
Styles has his doubters. We'll see if he can prove them wrong in Arlington, Texas, on New Year's Eve.