Miami football: Defense will be challenged by ACC elite offenses

The Miami football team will take a big step up defensively when they play Georgia Tech in their ACC opener on Saturday. Miami plays five of the top eight scoring offenses in the ACC in 2023. The Hurricanes lead the ACC averaging 43.8 points per game and in total offense at 519.0 yards per game.

Georgia Tech enters the game on Saturday eighth in the ACC averaging 32.4 PPG and third in total offense at 467.4 yards per game. There could be a lot of offense on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium. Georgia Tech is second in the ACC averaging 300.0 passing yards per game and eighth with 167.40 rushing YPG.

The Miami football team enters the game Saturday second in the ACC allowing 12.5 points per game, 273.0 rushing yards per game and eighth in the ACC allowing 225.0 passing yards per game. The first three FBS opponents Miami has played this season, Miami (Ohio), Texas A&M and Temple rank good to poor among offenses nationally.

Texas A&M is 20th nationally averaging 37.4 PPG, Miami (Ohio) is 52nd averaging 32.0 PPG and Temple is 109th at 21.0 PPG. Texas A&M is 35th averaging 443.4 YPG, Miami (Ohio) is 69th at 391.4 YPG and Temple is 92nd averaging 355.0 total YPG, the Miami football team will face far more prolific offenses in the ACC.

Miami will face its biggest challenge of the season to date when it plays at North Carolina on October 14. North Carolina is 32nd nationally averaging 35.8 PPG, 24th with 464.0 total YPG, 57th averaging 167.25 rushing YPG and 20th averaging 296.8 passing YPG. North Carolina QB Drake Maye is one of the best in the country.

Following North Carolina, Miami will host Clemson. The Tigers have been inconsistent offensively this season. Clemson is 35th nationally averaging 35.2 PPG, 27th putting up 457.2 total yards per game, 39th averaging 186.50 rushing yards per game and with 272.8 passing YPG. Turnovers have plagued Clemson in 2023.

Following Clemson, Miami hosts Virginia and plays at North Carolina State the following two weeks. Virginia and North Carolina State are ranked 90th or below in multiple offensive categories. Miami should be able to contain the Virginia and North Carolina State offenses before playing at Florida State on November 11.

Florida State is 10th nationally and second in the ACC averaging 43.3 PPG. The Seminoles have made the most of their offense averaging 427.3 YPG which is 46th nationally. Florida State has had problems running the football averaging 147.75 YPG, ranking 81st. The Jordan Travis led passing game is 33rd averaging 279.5 YPG.

Miami will be challenged defensively in back-to-back weeks when they host Louisville a week after playing at Florida State. Louisville is 21st nationally averaging 37.0 PPG, 11th with 494.8 YPG, 31st averaging 193.80 rushing YPG and 16th averaging 301.0 passing YPG. Louisville coach Jeff Brohm is brilliant offensively.

Miami will finish the season on November 24 at Boston College. The Eagles rank between 54th and 75th in the four major offensive categories. Miami will be tested defensively in the ACC. Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry has shown the ability to adapt to his opponents. Miami is second nationally allowing 48.00 rushing YPG.