Miami Hurricanes at Virginia Cavaliers: Week 7 Five things to watch

Can the Miami Hurricanes defense continue to play at an exceptionally high level?

In front of their home fans, the last three games the Miami defense has been nearly unprecedentedly dominant. The Hurricanes first-team defense allowed 15 yards in the first half and 62 through three quarters against FIU. They didn’t play much in the fourth quarter.

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Gig Em Gazette

Against North Carolina, the Miami Hurricanes D forced six turnovers and brought three of them back for touchdowns. The Hurricanes defense more than doubled up the Tar Heels on the scoreboard.

Last week against Florida State Miami allowed just 200 yards. The Hurricanes held Florida State to just 45 total yards in the second half. The Miami defense also forced two critical turnovers in the Seminoles red zone that contributed greatly to the Hurricanes being able to rally from a 27-7 deficit halfway through the third quarter.

Virginia’s offense is about as mediocre as you can get. Although they are averaging 30.2 points per game the Cavaliers rank 64th in the country in scoring. One spot lower and they would be exactly in the middle. Miami should have a big edge there.

The Cavaliers are 58th in total offense, 50th on the ground and 76th through the air. Miami’s comeback last week was largely fueled by Florida State’s inability to block Miami’s front seven in the second half. The Hurricanes finished the night with six sacks. Virginia is 68th in allowing TFLs and 73rd in sacks allowed.