The Miami Hurricanes offense was inconsistent in 2017. Their collapse against Pittsburgh and Clemson and to a lesser extent Wisconsin to end last season was the most significant reason that Miami lost to the Panthers, Tigers and Badgers to end 2017.
The Miami Hurricanes offense will have to play much better and reach the levels they had in 2017 in victories over Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. Those wins came in back to back weeks in prime time to begin November.
Establishing the running game and getting consistency on the ground has to be the priority against LSU and throughout the season.
Senior quarterback Malik Rosier was often maligned last season. His inconsistencies could be maddening at times in 2017. He also led the Miami Hurricanes to a 10-0 start that including game-winning scoring drives in the final minute against Florida State and Georgia Tech.
The running game often didn’t support Rosier. The Hurricanes had an abysmal rushing attack in the losses to Pittsburgh and Clemson.
Miami rebounded in the Orange Bowl loss to Wisconsin. The Hurricanes had 29 carries for 174 yards and two rushing touchdowns against a good Badgers defense.
Miami ran the ball 23 times for 45 yards in the loss to the Panthers. Pittsburgh allowed 142 yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry last season.
The Miami rushing attack was deceiving against Clemson. They had 30 carries for 104 yards. The 3.5 yards per carry is not good and it was even worse than the numbers indicate. DeeJay Dallas had three carries for 18 yards from direct snaps on Miami’s late scoring drive to avert the Tigers shutout.
LSU’s strength this season should be on defense. The Tigers have five starters returning on each side of the ball, but their offense has to replace all of their skill position starters except tight end.
The LSU defense is led by linebacker Devin White and cornerback Greedy Williams. Both players are major candidates to earn all-American status this season. White had 133 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season. Williams led the SEC with six interceptions last season.
LSU finished 24th in the country in 2017 against the run. They allowed 128.38 yards per game last season. The Tigers can be run on though. Examining the numbers a bit closer and LSU drops to 40th in yards per carry. Opponents averaged 3.85 yards per carry against LSU in 2017.
Miami brings back its three of its top four rushers from 2017. Rosier, Dallas and leading rusher Travis Homer need to find more consistency in 2018. The Hurricanes lost Mark Walton and the left side of their offensive line. Walton missed the final nine game of 2017. Dallas moved to running back in his absence and did an admirable job.
For as well as the three aforementioned returnees did in 2017, Miami needs more from the ground game in 2018. The Hurricanes finished 71st in rushing offense last season. Miami averaged 160.77 yards rushing in 2017.
The Hurricanes were efficient when they did run the football. They finished 24th in the nation averaging 5.05 yards per carry. Miami’s 31.85 attempts per game was 115th nationally in 2017.
To keep the LSU secondary honest the Hurricanes are going to have to run the football well and commit to doing so. If the Canes cannot do so, Williams and the LSU secondary and pass rushers can cheat towards the Miami passing game.