ESPN College Gameday discussed the outlook for Miami after Georgia Tech rushed for 271 yards in a 28-23 win over the Hurricanes last week. Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and Nick Saban all brought up the Miami defense when discussing Miami on College Game on Saturday morning.
Miami has regressed significantly defensively since they began ACC play at the end of September. The Hurricanes are 14th versus ACC opponents allowing 31.7 points per game and fifth permitting 372.5 total yards per game. Miami is 10th versus ACC opponents allowing 144.83 rushing YPG game.
The Hurricanes continue to perform well against the pass allowing 227.7 YPG which is fourth in the ACC. Miami is tied for last in the ACC with six plays allowed of 50 or more yards. Giving up big plays has hurt the Miami offense too often during the 2024 season.
Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry had a lot to work on during the bye week. Howard is confident Miami will be ok. Saban stated Miami's inability to stop people, Herbsteit is concerned about the game at Syracuse and McAfee discussed the Hurricanes' defense and quarterback Cam Ward/
Desmond Howard-I'm thinking about the Canes. they're just awful in defense...caught up with them last week at Georgia Tech. Down the road in Atlanta..Now they have everything in front of them. That's the best thing that could happen to that team moving forward. Losing that game against Georgia Tech will wake up their defense. Now how they will play. Miami will be ok.
Nick Saban-That's biggest difference with Miami is their inability to stop people because of their defense.
Kirk Herbstreit-Their (Miami) game at Syracuse will be scary.
Pat McAfee-They have the opportunity to maybe get right on the defensive side...Miami gave up 270 yards rushing to Georgia Tech. You're not going to be able to do that. They have been very close in four or five of their games. Cam Ward is a difference-maker when he is on the field. Thirty-five total touchdowns this season, He's been on fire....It feels like this is SMU and Miami's conference even though a lot can happen in the final few weeks.
Miami at Syracuse in the final regular season game on November 30 is between two of the three top passing offenses nationally. Miami is first nationally averaging 368.2 passing YPG and Syracuse is third with 353.8 YPG. Syracuse is 128th nationally averaging 89.00 rushing YPG and Miami is 47th with 176.60 rushing YPG.
Miami knows what is in front of them. If Miami beats Wake Forest on November 23 and wins at Syracuse they will earn an ACC Championship Game berth. The ACC Champion earns an automatic berth in the CFP Playoff. Turning the defense around will be critical for Miami during the rest of the 2024 season.