Miami plays Louisville team who has struggled defensively versus winning teams

Louisville has good overall numbers defensively in 2024 but has struggled against winning teams. Louisville has wins over Austin Peay, Jacksonville State, Georgia Tech and Virginia and losses to Notre Dame and Southern Methodist. Georgia Tech and Virginia are the only teams Louisville has beaten with a winning record.

Louisville is fourth in the ACC allowing 19.7 points per game. Louisville is sixth in the ACC allowing 26.0 PPG and ninth allowing 32.5 points in losses. The Cardinals are sixth in the ACC allowing 336.0 total yards overall, eighth allowing 405.0 yards versus winning teams and fourth allowing 380.5 yards in losses.

Louisville has struggled greatly in the last two games allowing an average of 435.0 yards per game to SMU and Virginia. SMU had 481 yards with 190 rushing and 291 receiving in a balanced offensive performance to defeat Louisville 34-27. Georgia Tech and Virginia also eclipsed 400 yards versus Louisville.

Miami is the best offense Louisville will play this season. The Hurricanes are first in the ACC averaging 47.7 points per game, 583.8 yards per game, which is over 100 more than second-place Virginia, 400.0 passing yards per game and 37 touchdowns scored. Miami has gained over 500 yards in every game this season.

Offensively Miami uses the pass to set up the run. Cam Ward has started his Miami career with six consecutive 300-yard games. Ward had a streak of five consecutive games with three TD passes but has at least two in all six games this season. Louisville has allowed 592 passing yards in its last two games,

SMU and Virginia also ran for 338 combined yards versus Louisville in the past two games. Louisville has cratered defensively since the calendar flipped to October. Miami has remained fairly consistent offensively. The Hurricanes lead the ACC averaging 541.5 total yards per game versus conference opponents.

The question when Miami plays at Louisville is if the Cardinals' defense can hold up versus the best offense in the ACC. Louisville needs to get back on track defensively if they have a chance to compete with Miami and pull off the upset. The most recent games between Miami and Louisville have been high-scoring.

Expect Louisville and Miami to put points on Saturday. Miami has worn down opponents in the second half throughout the 2024 season. Based on the trends for Miami and the last two games defensively for Louisville, the Hurricanes should be able to wear down the Cardinals in the second half and put up big numbers offensively.