The Miami football team will play consecutive games versus top 10 teams for the first time since 2017. Miami lost 38-3 to number one Clemson in the ACC Championship game and 34-24 to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl in 2017. Miami lost to number four Florida State and plays number 10 Louisville on Saturday.
The Miami football team was competitive with Florida State on Saturday before losing 27-20. Miami had a chance to tie the score on the final drive. Tyler Van Dyke had to relieve starting quarterback Emory Williams who suffered a compound arm fracture on the final drive. Miami drove to its own 49 yardline.
Earlier in the drive, Van Dyke had a 14-yard completion to Colbie Young on third and 12 from the Miami 20 to extend the drive. That was followed up by a Van Dyke to Young 15-yard completion on the next play. After three straight incompletions, Van Dyke threw an interception on fourth down under pressure.
Louisville enters the game on Saturday with its highest ranking since 2016 when the Cardinals were as high as third nationally. Pittsburgh defeated Louisville 38-21 last month to give the Cardinals their only loss this season. Louisville brings a 9-1 record to Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.
Florida State improved to 10-0 with their win over Miami last Saturday. Louisville can clinch a berth in the ACC Championship game versus Florida State with a win over Miami on Saturday. Louisville is attempting to qualify for its first-ever conference championship game. The Cardinals have not had a one-loss season since 2013.
Clemson lost to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl which was a College Football Playoff Semifinal following the 2017 regular season. The Tigers were the defending national champions. The 2017 season was the only appearance of the Miami football program in the ACC Championship Game.
Wisconsin rallied from a 14-3 deficit after the first quarter to defeat Miami in the 2017 Orange Bowl. That is the only major bowl appearance for Miami in the last 20 seasons. Wisconsin finished the 2017 season 13-1. The Badgers’ only loss in 2017 was to Ohio State in the Big 10 Championship Game.