Mario Cristobal’s Miami defense has proved to be a nightmare all season long. But now, as they get ready to face No. 1 Indiana in the National Championship, things are getting a little “thin” in the secondary.

Miami is going to be without its standout DB, Xavier Lucas, for the entire first half. At the Fiesta Bowl, he was ejected on a targeting call and is now barred from playing the first half against Indiana. Undeterred, Lucas is gearing up for an explosive game.

“The emotion is probably going to be a little high,” he said on Friday. “But I’ve just got to stay levelheaded, and just make plays when they come my way.”

On Jan. 8, Xavier delivered a hit on Ole Miss wide receiver Cayden Lee in the fourth quarter. After further review, the play was ruled as targeting a defenseless player. As Xavier made his way towards the sideline, head coach Mario Cristobal was visibly furious with the call.

“That’s a rough call to take, especially when you look at the angle of the player as the player catches the ball,” Cristobal stated post-game. “No one can predict that that guy’s upper body is going to end up in that spot when this guy is trying to make a tackle. It’s almost like a cut tackle at the time when he initiates his progress towards the bulk of the receiver.”

Now, as a result of the targeting penalty, Xavier will miss the first half against Indiana. Despite losing three points after the targeting, the Hurricanes ultimately won, 31-27.  But it sparked a conversation about the rule’s controversial nature.

Analyst Joel Klatt did not mince his words, expressing his disappointment regarding the present targeting rule. “The targeting penalty is the worst in sports…horrible,” Klatt said via X. “Trying to make a tackle and he HAPPENS to contact the head…ejection…stupid. They should’ve overturned that one.”

So far, Lucas has recorded 45 tackles and was supposed to play a significant part in the national championship game. With his absence (first half), Miami’s secondary is already stretched thin. Cornerback Damari Williams’ injury status has done little to soothe Miami’s concerns.

Damari Brown listed “questionable”

Fellow cornerback Damari Brown has missed the last three playoff games owing to a left-foot injury. Presently, he is on a day-to-day basis and is expected to play on Monday.

“Damari Brown (left foot) is day-to-day and trending to gametime decision. He said his “expectation” is that he’ll play, but it’s “not certain.”

Besides Brown, defensive lineman Cole McConathy II is also listed as questionable after being out for multiple weeks.

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However, on a positive note, OJ Frederique Jr will be back for the national championship game. He limped off towards the medical tent after rolling off on the field against Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl and had to be carted off the field. Although he appeared for only a short time in the Fiesta Bowl, he has since fully recovered.

“Right now, I’m fully healthy. I’m ready,” he says.

Additionally, defensive tackle Ahmed Moten Sr. is recovering from a low-ankle sprain and is expected to be ready by Monday. LB Mike Bryant, TE Elija Lofton, WR Daylyn Upshaw, and DL Donta Simpson will remain out.