Fixing its pass defense after being shredded by Middle Tennessee State should be the top priority for the Miami football team during the bye week. Miami is 91st nationally allowing 251 passing yards per game. The Hurricanes were ranked much higher before allowing 408 passing yards in the loss to Middle Tennessee State.
What was most disturbing about the loss to the Blue Raiders was four pass plays of 69 yards or more. Miami is last nationally in pass plays allowed of 60 or more yards and in every 10-yard increment through 90. Prior to playing Middle Tennessee State, Miami was allowing 198.67 passing yards per game.
The 198 passing yards per game allowed would place Miami 43rd after four weeks. Middle Tennessee State accounted for 40.6 percent of the passing yards and the vast majority of the big plays Miami has allowed this season. Miami next plays North Carolina who is 19th nationally averaging 307.8 passing yards per game.
North Carolina is first in the ACC in scoring and second in total offense. North Carolina has scored 107 points in the last two games against the Miami football team. The Tar Heels have a three-game winning streak versus the Hurricanes. If Miami cannot contain the North Carolina offense it could be another long day at Hard Rock Stadium.
It appeared the Miami secondary had improved after a productive performance at Texas A&M two weeks ago. The Miami pass defense regressed immensely in the loss to Middle Tennessee State. It could be argued that Miami regressed to its mean following the loss to Middle Tennessee State.
Miami is likely not as good in the secondary as they were versus an inconsistent Texas A&M offense or as bad as they were against a Middle Tennessee State offense that was struggling before shredding the Hurricanes’ secondary. Miami had not allowed a pass play of over 50 yards before playing Middle Tennessee State.
Miami has games this season versus the top four offenses in the ACC. If Miami is going to challenge for an ACC Coastal division title cleaning up the play in the secondary needs to be the priority. We will find out versus North Carolina and quarterback Drake Maye is Miami has improved.