Miami football: Five Hurricanes likely to get more playing time

The next two weeks for the Miami football team is critical to see what the second and third-team players can do before the Hurricanes get into the heart of their ACC schedule.

The Miami football staff needs to evaluate the second and third teams players throughout the Hurricanes roster against Bethune-Cookman and Central Michigan the next two weeks to see the players in game situations. From there, the Miami football staff can move forward and have an idea who is ready for ACC play.

Several Miami players expected to be key contributors this season have not played the number of snaps they were expected to against Florida and North Carolina. Miami has started a season 0-2 for the first time since 1978. Several key plays that could have gone Miami’s way would have led to a 2-0 start for the Hurricanes.

Miami was expected to have one of the deepest rotations at edge rushers this season in FBS. That has not been the case in production. Miami led the nation in tackles for loss in 2018. They are still a solid 20th in 2019 with 16 through the first two games. The Hurricanes are just 47th with five sacks.

With two games coming up against inferior opponents, the rotation on the defensive line will be more liberal against the Wildcats and Chippewas. That is the first area on the Miami football roster to look at players who will receive an increase in snaps over the next two weeks.

Two defensive linemen, a safety and two skill position players on offense are players to watch. Miami needs more production from their pass rush. They have given up too many big plays in the passing game. The first thing that impacts an offense’s ability to complete big plays downfield is getting after the quarterback.