The Miami football team ranks 13th in the ACC in red zone conversions versus conference opponents. Miami is 10th in the ACC scoring on 75 percent of its red zone opportunities versus ACC opponents in 2023. The Hurricanes are 13th out of 14 teams in the ACC with touchdowns in 37.50 percent of its red zone trips.
The inability to convert red zone opportunities into touchdowns plagued the Miami football team in losses to Georgia Tech and North Carolina to begin ACC play 0-2. Miami had one TD, two field goals and threw an interception in four drives inside the red zone versus Georgia Tech. That’s potentially 15 points left on the board.
In a three-point loss, the inability to convert in the red zone versus Georgia Tech was lost in the late-game mistakes Miami had versus the Yellow Jackets. To compound the missed red zone opportunities, Miami had seven trips inside the Georgia Tech 26-yard line that resulted in 20 points.
That is four scores in seven trips inside the 26-yard line. Miami has to do better than that in the last half of the season. The Hurricanes have games remaining versus three of the top six defenses in its final six games of the 2023 season. Miami plays three of the top five teams in the ACC in red zone defense.
Miami has turned into a red zone turnover machine the last two games now.
— Kelly Quinlan (@Kelly_Quinlan) October 15, 2023
Miami did a little better versus North Carolina with two TDs, one field goal and a fumble in three red zone trips. The Hurricanes failed to score in their first trip to the red zone versus North Carolina when running back Henry Parrish fumbled inside the Tar Heels’ one-yard line. Miami rebounded well from the fumble in the first half.
The Miami offense will be tested against the Clemson defense in red zone opportunities on Saturday. Clemson is fourth in the ACC holding opponents to scores on 71.43 percent of their red zone trips. The Tigers hold opponents to TDs on 50 percent of their red zone trips and field goals on 21.43 percent.
Avoiding turnovers in the red zone will be a start. With one red zone turnover in each of the last two games, Miami has hindered itself far too often. The game versus Clemson will likely be decided by how well the Miami offense plays versus the Tiger’s defense. Miami should be able to contain a mediocre Clemson offense.