The Miami football team has found new ways to lose in each of their four losses this season. Poor red zone execution in the loss at Texas A&M. Four pass completions of 69 yards or more by Middle Tennessee State, a late interception against North Carolina and eight turnovers against Duke all occurred in Miami losses.
The Miami football team was fortunate to win 20-14 at Virginia Tech after allowing two unanswered fourth-quarter touchdowns and 17 penalties. Virginia who Miami plays on Saturday is 116th in turnover margin at minus six through the first eight weeks of the 2022 season. Miami is 102nd in turnover margin at minus four.
Miami was minus six against Duke with two forced turnovers of its own. The Hurricanes are 68th in penalties averaging 6.7 for 50 yards per game. Mario Cristobal being hired as the head coach was supposed to create a more disciplined team. Virginia is 122nd averaging 7.9 penalties for 74.3 yards per game.
Miami has yet to play consistently for 60 minutes against an FBS opponent this season. In their 30-7 win over Southern Mississippi in week two, Miami needed a touchdown with 20 seconds left in the first half to take a 10-7 lead. The Hurricanes have had three 2022 games with turnovers and four with at least six penalties.
Miami is not good enough to make crucial and significant mistakes to be able to beat anyone this season. Middle Tennessee State and North Carolina are the only games this season Miami has committed four or fewer penalties and less than two turnovers. Long completions against Miami led significantly to losses in those games.
Virginia has committed eight or more penalties in three games this season and multiple turnovers in every game. The Cavaliers have continually beaten themselves in 2022. If Miami can play a relatively clean game versus Virginia the Cavaliers will likely defeat themselves at some point on Saturday.
Virginia has been abysmal offensively this season. Miami cannot have turnovers deep in their own territory as they did versus Duke. Virginia is 13th in the ACC averaging 17.6 points per game. Miami is eighth in the conference in scoring at 29.3 PPG. Miami is eighth in the ACC allowing 24.0 PPG and Virginia is sixth at 22.6.