Mario Cristobal is feeling the heat as doubts swirl around his faith in Carson Beck. While the pressure is mounting, Miami’s leadership must walk a fine line between trust and growing skepticism. Can Beck truly lead this team to postseason success? That’s a big question. However, last season exposed serious concerns; Beck’s doubled interception rate (from 6 to 12) painted a troubling picture—far from the steady growth many expected. And those struggles still loom large, fueling questions about whether he can shake off past mistakes and take control when it matters most. Here, Greg McElroy didn’t hold back, laying out an uncomfortable truth for Miami. Looks like, while Beck is facing a harsh reality check, the Canes’ future depends on how he responds.

On the March 21 episode of ESPN College Football, Greg McElroy broke down Carson Beck’s potential to lead Miami to the CFP, and he didn’t hold back. “A lot of people going into last year thought he was the number one quarterback in the country. If you were to ask me last year, going into the season, who’s the one quarterback that you trust the most? It probably would have been Carson Beck,” stated McElroy. We all know Beck’s 2023 season was outstanding, but his struggles in 2024? That was a shock. However, his talent isn’t in question—he’s always had that. So what’s the real concern?

Last season, Beck wasn’t just battling opponents—he was battling circumstances. Because his supporting cast didn’t do him any favors, his receivers led the nation in drops, and his offensive line was shaky. So, the run game? Nearly nonexistent, with Georgia averaging just 100 YPG—one of the worst in the country. With everything on his shoulders, Beck pressed, pressing led to mistakes, and mistakes led to interceptions. However, interceptions led to doubts about whether he was ever that good to begin with. Here, McElroy didn’t mince words, and said, “I can answer all those questions—Carson Beck is really talented.”

In 2023, Beck took center stage as Georgia’s QB1, delivering a stellar season. He racked up 3,941 passing yards and 28 TDs, proving his ability to command the field. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs posted a 12–1 regular-season record. Then, heading into 2024, Beck was seen as a projected first-round pick. However, as it stands now, the NFL Mock Draft Database projects him as the 47th pick in 2026. With that in mind, McElroy put it bluntly, stating, “Will he need to bounce back? Yes. Will he need to showcase mental toughness? Yes. Will he need to showcase leadership? Yes. All those things are true. But it’s not about talent with him—it’s about the supporting cast.”

And here comes the uncomfortable truth for Mario Cristobal’s Miami. Carson’s success isn’t just about him—it’s about the team around him. Greg McElroy didn’t sugarcoat it, telling, “If the guys around him play well, much better than they did last year, he can lead this team to an ACC title. He can lead this team to the College Football Playoff. He might even be able, depending on how good his defense can become, to lead this team into becoming a national championship contender.”

So, the pressure is mounting, but if Miami wants to make a serious run, it’s not just on Beck—it’s on everyone.

How is Miami’s defense looking?

A great QB can only take a team so far—football is a team game, so a strong supporting cast is just as crucial for success. As Greg McElroy put it best, saying, “In general, though, the receivers, the run game, the offensive line, and specifically the defense – all need to be better for Miami if they’re going to challenge for another College Football Playoff spot this year.” Right now, if Miami wants to compete at the highest level, every unit has to step up. Thus, the pressure isn’t just on Beck—it’s on the entire roster to rise to the occasion.

However, Miami’s defense has star power, but questions remain. Up front, Rueben Bain Jr. sets the tone as a team captain, bringing relentless energy and dominance in the trenches. At LB, Vols transfer Tyler Baron adds leadership, while Michigan State transfer Simeon Barrow Jr. boosts the unit with versatility. And in the secondary, OJ Frederique Jr. returns after an impressive freshman season, adding much-needed experience. But is it enough?

Answering that, McElroy pointed out, stating, “They also, like I said already, need to figure out the defensive backs. They need to figure out additional players along the front defensively to take some of the heat off Rueben Bain. There’s a lot to like about Miami, but there are also a lot of question marks.”

Although Miami has the talent, but do they have the answers? According to ESPN’s insider, “I think they are a legit ACC title contender. I think they’re a College Football Playoff contender. But I cannot put them in the national championship contender status just yet—there are just too many unknowns on the defensive side.” Honestly, the potential is there, but questions linger: can the defense step up when it matters most? Until they prove it, the Hurricanes remain on the outside looking in at the national title race.