Everyone’s Saying the Same Thing About Carson Beck After Miami-Ohio State

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Everyone’s Saying the Same Thing About Carson Beck After Miami-Ohio State

Carson Beck and Miami upset Ohio State on New Year's Eve in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. The tenth-seeded Miami entered the Cotton Bowl as 9.5-point underdogs against the second-seeded Buckeyes, according to DraftKings. After jumping out to an early 14-0 lead, Miami held the lead the rest of the night, eventually winning 24-14.

Beck, who transferred from Georgia to Miami after the 2024 season, finished the game with 138 yards on 19-of-26 passing and one touchdown.

Beck started at Georgia for two years. In 2023, he threw for 3,941 yards (the second-most in a single season in UGA history). In 2024, he had 3,485 yards before injuring his elbow in the SEC Championship Game.

Beck's decision to transfer from Georgia was one of the most covered transfers in the short history of the portal. One of the most highly ranked quarterbacks in college football, he had just helped Georgia to a CFP appearance and had already declared for the NFL draft before deciding to transfer to The U.

Miami quarterback Carson Beck could possibly play his old team, Georgia, in the CFP semifinals.© Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

But now, after knocking off the Buckeyes, there's a serious chance Beck will get a shot at playing his former team in the semifinals. If Georgia beats Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day, Miami and UGA will meet in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 8. There's plenty of reason to think that could happen – as Georgia's already beaten the Rebels once this year, and that was when Ole Miss was coached by Lane Kiffin.

Of course, that's not a sure thing. Georgia's a 6.5-point favorite, but has five players out for the Sugar Bowl. Center Drew Bobo, defensive linemen Gabe Harris and Jordan Hall, and defensive backs Joenel Aguero and Kyron Jones are all out. The Dawgs do, however, return star wide receiver Colbie Young, who coincidentally hurt himself in UGA's October 43-35 win over Ole Miss. Another coincidence: Young transferred from Miami to Georgia.

But if Georgia wins that game in New Orleans, it sets the stage for an incredible story: Carson Beck vs. his former team for a chance in the national championship.

College football world awaits a possible Carson Beck vs. Georgia matchup

Twitter absolutely popped off when the clock struck zero in the Cotton Bowl at the thought of Beck possibly playing against Georgia.

"IF UGA wins Thursday, and it’s not going to be easy, then we could see a very interesting matchup next week in Arizona," wrote Georgia radio host Bill Shanks. "It could be Gunner Stockton vs. Carson Beck. A pickup truck vs. a Lamborghini. It sincerely has the makings of a 30-for-30 on ESPN. Would be fun, but the Dawgs have got to handle business in New Orleans first."

"I'm all in, locked in on a Carson Beck vs. Georgia CFP semifinal, if that happens," said Brian Davis of the Houston Chronicle.

Even ESPN got in on it, writing: "Carson Beck vs. Georgia in the CFP semis? The Miami QB could face off against his former team in the next round."

So did legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale:

"Wow what a great time to be a Miami fan as they responded to the big challenge of facing Ohio State & advance with a 24-14 victory. Next face the winner of UGA vs Ole Miss – Could see Miami QBCarson Beck vs his former team Georgia."

"Georgia vs Miami. Gunner vs Beck. Glendale Arizona. Book it," wrote a Georgia fan page.

Carson Beck comments on possibility of playing Georgia in CFP semifinals

After the game, Beck was asked by Scott Van Pelt about the possibility of playing his old, Georgia, in the Fiesta Bowl.

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck celebrates in the CFP vs. Ohio State.© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Beck answered smoothly, avoiding anything that could give his old teammates any bulletin board material.

"When you look at the College Football Playoff bracket, it’s hard not to look forward to the games," Beck said. "You look at the bracket, the way things could pan out, and obviously, having beaten Texas A&M and earned the right to go play in Arizona in the semifinals, it’s hard not to look ahead and see the two teams we could end up playing. I’m super excited for this team and the opportunity to play in the semifinals, and whichever team wins that game, we’ll go in prepared and make the most of it."

Beck battled adversity in 2025

Beck's transfer got plenty of coverage. His girlfriend at the time, former Miami basketball player Hanna Cavinder, was down in Coral Gables. Then Beck had his Lamborghini and Mercedes stolen, an incident that stirred up NIL talks. Also, for reasons unknown to the public, Beck and Cavinder broke up.

After their breakup, Cavinder spoke with Miami golfer Kai Trump about the relationship, revealing her thoughts on the Miami passer:

"He has an ego," Cavinder told Trump, per Fox News. "He wanted people to stop and take a picture.

"He would, like, flip off people at the bar, and I’d be embarrassed. So I broke up with him, and all this cheating (expletive) came out. I had no idea," Cavinder added.

"I didn’t break up with him because he cheated. I broke up with him because of like who he was."

Miami beat Notre Dame in the first game of the season, also his first in a Hurricanes jersey. The Irish ranked No. 6 at the time before losing that one 27-24. After the game, in which Beck threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns, he delivered an emotional postgame interview. He touched on the adversity he had faced since leaving Georgia.

"The past eight months have been so hard, and I'm just so blessed to be back out here and have the opportunity to play again," a teary-eyed Beck said.

"Everyone just loves to compete. It's a real family, it's a real brotherhood. Oh my gosh, I'm sorry. There are so many emotions," Beck said. "I'm just so thankful for the guys that I have around me."

Miami beat Texas A&M in the first round of the CFP, going on the road to College Station and beating the Aggies 10-3.

It'll now face the winner of Georgia-Ole Miss, which will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN from New Orleans.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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