Miami is 127th nationally allowing 39.0 points per game and tied for 89th with Central Florida permitting opponents to gain 409.0 yards per game in October. Florida State is 132nd out of 134 teams nationally averaging 15.0 PPG and 276.0 YPG in 2024.
The Florida State offense might be the perfect remedy for Miami's defensive struggles in October. Florida State is 123 nationally averaging 14.5 PPG and 128th averaging 270.5 YPG in October. Florida State and Miami have each played two games in October. The Hurricanes and Seminoles were both off the weekend of October 12.
The Achilles Heel for Miami defensively has been allowing big plays. California had six completions of 15 yards or more and three runs of 10 or more in a 39-38 loss to Miami. The Golden Bears had four completions of 50 or more yards versus the Hurricanes. Two of those completions went for TDs.
Miami tightening up defensively in the fourth quarter at California helped generate a comeback from 35-10 down to win. California only had one play classified as a big play in the fourth quarter, a 19-yard run. California had 26 yards in the fourth quarter after generating 344 total yards through the first three.
Here are the 10 worst offenses in college football up to this point in the season. pic.twitter.com/1fEzwk1wkp
— College Football Live (@CollegeFBonX) October 22, 2024
After allowing only one team to pass for more than 150 yards in the first five games of the 2024 season, California and Louisville exploited Miami through the air. Miami is 61st nationally allowing 214.1 passing YPG in 2024, but 126th with opponents throwing for 319.5 YPG in October.
Florida State threw for a season high 272 yards in their week one loss to Boston College. The Seminoles have played three different quarterbacks this season. All three have been mediocre to poor. Florida State lists Brock Glenn as their starting QB versus Miami on Saturday.
Glenn has completed 50.0 percent of his passes for 338 yards, two TDs and three interceptions this season. Florida State had season highs of 40 carries for 162 rushing yards, but did not score an offensive TD in a 23-16 loss at Duke on Friday. Lawrance Toafili leads Florida State with 253 rushing yards and two TDs and 317 total yards.
Saturday will be a test for the Miami defense versus Florida State. If Miami cannot shut down Florida State offensively it will be time to be concerned about the defense through the remaining four regular season games and beyond for the remainder of the 2024 season. Miami needs vast improvements defensively starting versus Florida State.