Miami defensive pressure has significantly decreased in ACC games

After being named one of the best defensive lines nationally entering the 2024 season, Miami has regressed significantly since beginning ACC play.

Sep 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Tyler Baron (9) celebrates with teammates after sacking Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Daniel Richardson (not pictured) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Tyler Baron (9) celebrates with teammates after sacking Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Daniel Richardson (not pictured) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Miami began the season with 36 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in their four non-conference games. The Hurricanes are 11th nationally in TFLs and sixth in sacks versus non-conference opponents in 2024. Miami is 48th nationally in tackles TFLs and 68th in sacks versus conference opponents in 2024.

The Hurricanes have 33 TFLs and 11 sacks in six games versus ACC opponents in 2024. Overall Miami is 17th nationally with 67 TFLs and 21st with 27 sacks. Miami needs to generate more defensive pressure in their two regular season game and for any success they hope to have beyond that in 2024.

Miami is fourth in the ACC overall in TFLs and sixth in sacks. The Hurricanes are 10th in the ACC TFLs and 12th in sacks versus conference opponents. Miami has not lived up to its preseason ranking as the third-best DL nationally by Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus.

Transfer DL Tyler Baron began the season with 10 tackles, 7.0 TFLs and 4.5 sacks in the first three 2024 games in wins at Florida and over Florida A&M and Ball State. Baron has 23 tackles, 2.0 TFLs and no sacks in the last six games. Miami needs Baron to be more impactful for the rest of the 2024 season.

Baron and linebacker Francisco Mauigoa lead Miami with 9.0 TFLs. Defensive tackle Simeon Barrow is first on Miami with 5.5 sacks. Barrow has all of his TFLs versus ACC opponents which is 12th in the conference. Barrow also leads Miami and is 16th in the ACC with 3.0 sacks versus conference opponents in 2024.

Rueben Bain has been consistent, but not as dominant as he was in 2023 since returning from an injury last month. Bain has 18 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks in six 2024 games. Akheem Mesidor has 21 tackles, 6.0 TFLs and 3.5 sacks this season for Miami as a versatile DL who can play the edge or tackle.

Miami finishes the season versus Wake Forest on November 23 and at Syracuse on November 30. Syracuse is ninth in TFLs allowed and 10th in sacks allowed. Wake Forest is seventh in TFLs allowed and 13th in sacks allowed. Miami has to do a better job of generating pressure for the remainder of the 2024 season.

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