Texas A&M vs Miami: College football playoff first round preview
Will Texas A&M’s dominant team or their inconsistent side face Miami in the playoff?
This time last year, Carson Beck had his first College Football Playoff start taken away from him due to a season-ending elbow injury in the SEC Championship game.
Fast forward a year and the veteran quarterback is set to make that long-awaited start against No. 7 Texas A&M at noon ET inside Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.
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Only, it isn’t happening with the team he led to the CFP last season.
REQUIRED READING: Who’s in College Football Playoff? 12-team CFP bracket, schedule, more
Instead, it comes with No. 10 Miami, which, just like Beck, is making its debut in college football’s biggest stage.
“It’s honestly unreal to just kind of step back and look at the whole of everything that’s happened,” Beck said in a Dec. 17 interview. “And it’s surreal to get to this point, honestly and to realize everything I’ve been through and realize the adversity that I’ve had to face and overcome.”
Beck has led the Hurricanes to a 10-2 record this season and is looking to lead the program to its first CFP win. Should Miami pull off the upset against Texas A&M, the Hurricanes will advance to the Cotton Bowl CFP quarterfinal against No. 2 Ohio State on New Year’s Eve.
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Here’s a look back at why Beck transferred to Miami:
Where did Carson Beck transfer from?
Beck transferred from Georgia. He spent five seasons with the Bulldogs, with his final years coming as the starting quarterback.
REQUIRED READING: Texas A&M vs Miami predictions: Picks for CFP first-round matchup
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Why did Carson Beck transfer to Miami?
The decision by the ex-Georgia quarterback to enter the portal was a head-scratching one to an extent, largely because he announced on Dec. 28 on his social media he was declaring for the NFL draft.
“I will forever cherish the memories that have been made,” Beck wrote in that initial NFL declaration post. “Thank you Dawg Nation for the time I’ve been here and to those who’ve supported and believed in me, thank you. It’s been an incredible journey and all these moments have ultimately led me to take the next step in my football career.”
He officially announced on Jan. 9 he was entering his name into the NCAA transfer portal. He announced his decision to return home to the state of Florida to play for the Hurricanes on Jan. 10. As noted by USA TODAY Sports’ Matt Hayes, Georgia wanted to keep Beck in Athens. One of the Bulldogs’ SEC rivals, Alabama, also showed an interest in Beck before he committed to Miami.
As for the reason behind Beck’s decision to transfer, that can likely be pointed to his season-ending elbow injury that he sustained during the SEC championship. Since he needed surgery to repair his UCL in his throwing arm, Beck wouldn’t have been able to throw during the heart of the NFL draft workout schedule with teams.
“This is my future, and I think that this decision is one of the better decisions I’ve made,” Beck said at ACC Kickoff in July. “Just trying to develop those relationships and that camaraderie, it’s just reinforced my decision in a positive way.”
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Carson Beck stats
Here’s a look at Beck’s career stats at Georgia and Miami:
2021 (Georgia): 10 of 23 passing (43.5%) for 176 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions
2022 (Georgia): 26 of 35 passing (74.3%) for 310 yards with four touchdowns
2023 (Georgia): 302 of 417 passing (72.4%) for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions; 116 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 60 carries
2024 (Georgia): 290 of 448 passing (64.7%) for 3,485 yards with 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions; 71 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 55 carries
2025 (Miami): 263 of 353 passing (74.7%) for 3,072 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; 39 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 38 carries
Peter D’Oench is a reporter for CBS4 News. He came to CBS4 from WKRN in Nashville.
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/ CBS Miami
Grim testimony was presented Thursday in a Miami courtroom during a bond hearing for two teenagers charged as adults in the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl at an Overtown apartment building last summer.
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The testimony happened as attorneys for 13-year-old Nelson Nuñez and 12-year-old Jusiah Jones requested that the youngsters be released on bond. The case is being heard by Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Richard Herschel.
Detective Louis Joseph testified that the suspects “held her down” and that the attack “went on for 30 minutes.” He said rocks were placed in her mouth to silence her during the attack and that Jones was accused of doing that.
“The victim had rocks in her mouth and spat out the rocks. The victim did not tell her father because she was afraid she would get into trouble,” Joseph stated.
Jones’s attorney argued that his client was forced by the others involved to place the rocks in the girl’s mouth and claimed Jones never participated in the sexual assault or held the girl down. The attorney said the suspects threatened to punch Jones if he did not participate and that Jones actually tried to stop the attack.
Nelson Nuñez’s brother, father, and mother testified through a translator, saying Nuñez would be well supervised if allowed out on bond, was not a danger to the community, and would not flee. They also said he had no prior criminal history. Nuñez’s soccer coach, a family member, said, “He’s a very good kid. I would say he is a follower. He does not fight or curse.”
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Nuñez is being represented by defense attorney Bijan Parwaresch, a former prosecutor.
Judge Herschel said he wanted to hear more testimony before ruling on the bond and scheduled the hearing to continue at 9 a.m. Monday.
Radio: 104.3 FM (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale), ESPN 106.3 FM, (West Palm Beach), FOX Sports Radio 105.9 FM (Ft. Myers/Naples), 1450 AM (Suart), 97.7 FM (Florida Keys), WAQI 710 AM (Spanish-language broadcast, South Florida), 710 AM/1330 AM (Los Angeles)
VITALS: The Miami Heat (38-31) and Los Angeles Lakers (44-25) Lakers meet for the second and final regular season matchup. Earlier this season, LA recorded a home win on November 2. Last season, the teams split the series, 1-1, with each squad winning on their home floor. The Heat are 34-41 all-time versus the Lakers during the regular season, including 23-14 in home games and 11-27 in road games.
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PROJECTED STARTERS
HEAT
G Davion Mitchell
G Tyler Herro
C Kel’el Ware
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F Pelle Larsson
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F Bam Adebayo
LAKERS
G Luka Doncic
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G Austin Reaves
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C DeAndre Ayton
F Marcus Smart
F LeBron James
INJURY REPORT
HEAT
Bam Adebayo: Probable – Calf
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Available – Hip
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Andrew Wiggins: Out – Knee
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Trevor Keels: Out – G League (Two-Way)
Jahmir Young: Out – G League (Two-Way)
Vlad Goldin: Out – G League (Two-Way)
Terry Rozier: Out – Not with team
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LAKERS
Maxi Kleber: Out – Back
Drew Timme: Available – G League (Two-Way)
Chris Mañon: Available – G League (Two-Way)
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Nick Smith Jr.: Available – G League (Two-Way)
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Spread: Heat -3.5 (-110), Lakers +3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Heat -146, Lakers +124
Total points scored: 239.5 (over -110, under -110)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call .
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Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra after their loss to the Charlotte Hornets: “That was disappointing to see. There were parts of the game where it was just highly competitive, both sides. Both teams were going back and forth. It was set up to be a great finish. Once they got it to 10, that’s when it really changed and the floodgates went from there.”
“So, it’s a disappointing end to that game and now we just have to focus on getting ready for Thursday. We’ll learn what we can but we have to move on and get on to the next fight and make sure we’re ready and do what we need to do for Thursday night.”
For more Miami Heat information and conversation, check out Off The Floor.
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Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at Twitter: @tropicalblanket
Authorities identify man allegedly involved in shooting of Miami-Dade Water and Sewer employee – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale
NORTH MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) – Authorities are asking for the public’s help finding a man they believe was involved in the shooting of a Miami-Dade Water and Sewer employee, Tuesday.
According to authorities, 37-year-old Nathan J. Cooper pulled the trigger during a confrontation with a county employee, later identified as 33-year-old Sean Webster, which led to the man being hospitalized overnight.
Investigators said Webster got into an argument with Cooper outside a townhome on Northwest 84th Street, off Fourth Avenue in North Miami-Dade, just after 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday.
Webster was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center in critical condition. Webster’s mother told 7News his condition has been improving after being shot in the chest.
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On Wednesday, authorities say they’ve positively identified the shooter to be Cooper.
If you have any information on this crime, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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