Keys to Miami making its first ACC Championship Game since 2017
Force turnovers
As skilled as McCord is at slinging the football, he tends to turn it over. He's thrown 12 interceptions in 11 games, while Syracuse as a team has fumbled the ball 10 times but only lost it twice. That's 14 turnovers but 22 potential turnovers in just 11 games.
Miami will lose if they allow the Orange to drive down the field all game with ease. In addition to just limiting the passing game, they'll need to flip the script whether it's with an interception, a fumble, or multiple of one or the other. No turnovers could mean trouble.
"This (Xavier) Restrepo kid... talk about a guy that comes up big every time he's asked to. I'm gonna take Miami to get to the ACC Championship Game."
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) November 27, 2024
🗣️ @CoachNeuheisel and the whole ICF crew are rolling with @CanesFootball over Kyle McCord and Syracuse pic.twitter.com/EmMtW4AGRj
Get off the field
Syracuse is a top-10 team in the country at converting third downs, much like Miami is. If it isn't clear already, their offense is very good. So how can Miami make sure they have an advantage? Get off the field on third downs. Don't let them convert and create lengthy scoring drives.
The last thing Miami needs is Cam Ward and the offense sitting on the sideline for seven or eight minutes of game action at a time. Miami can't win if Ward's opportunities are limited.
Miami certainly can't win if Syracuse stays on the field and scores six each time they're out there. Third down will be the most important down of the game, and Miami must understand that.