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Miami has to regenerate defensive pressure versus Duke

After beginning the season as one of the best teams nationally, generating pressure, Miami struggled in October. Miami needs to be able to generate pressure versus Duke on Saturday.

By Alan Rubenstein

Oct 5, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) reacts after a tackle against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Oct 5, 2024; Berkeley, California, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (4) reacts after a tackle against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
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The expectation when Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain returned versus California after missing four weeks was that the Hurricanes' would have one of the best front fours nationally. Bain has seven tackles, 4,0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in three games since returning from an injury in the season opener at Florida.

Bain has remained the dominant player he was in earning the 2023 ACC Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. After an excellent start, most of the rest of the Miami DL has not produced the numbers they did to begin the season. Miami needs to bring pressure versus a good Duke offensive line on Saturday.

Miami was eighth nationally averaging 8.0 TFLs and second posting 3.6 sacks per game after the first month of the season. The Hurricanes are now 15th nationally averaging 7.13 TFLs per game and sixth with 3.25 sacks per game. Miami was 58th averaging 5.67 TFLs per game and 35th averaging 2.67 sacks per game in October.

Duke is 50th allowing 4.88 TFLs per game and 20th permitting 1.13 sacks per game. The Blue Devils were 32nd nationally in October allowing 4.33 TFLs per game and sixth allowing 0.67 sacks per game. Miami is first nationally with a 43 percent pressure rate and second with a 52.1 percent pass rush win rate per Pro Football Focus.

"The Blue Devils have only allowed a sack/hit on 3.4% of their pass-blocking snaps, the ninth-lowest rate in college football. Their 16% pressure rate allowed is 12th in the nation as well. Maalik Murphy isn’t a very mobile quarterback so he performs far better in a clean pocket (83.4 PFF grade) than when he’s under pressure (45.9 grade)...Murphy’s 2.20-second average time to throw is the fastest in the nation this year.""

- Max Chadwick Pro Football Focus

Simeon Barrow has been a force for Miami at defensive tackle in the last three games. In wins over California, Louisville and Florida State, Barrow has 11.0 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.0 sacks and 1.0 forced fumble. Miami needs Tyler Baron to return to his early season form. Baron had All-American numbers through the first four games.

Baron had 13 tackles, 7.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks in non-conference games. In four ACC games, Baron has 11 tackles, 0.5 TFLs and no sacks. Baron has been held without a sack for five straight games. With an inconsistent secondary Miami needs Baron to be performing at a high level to put pressure on opposing QBs.

That has to begin on Saturday versus Duke. The Blue Devils offensive line was exceptional in October. Duke has to protect Murphy to have any chance on Saturday. Bain and Barrow have been elite in the last month. Miami needs similar production from Baron and the rest of the Miami DL.

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