![Coach Nick Saban stands on the turf inside Bryant-Denny Stadium during media day Saturday, August 3, 2019 in Bryant-Denny Stadium. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4869,h_2738/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/200/01jsqj9rfw9yrqhfb82e.jpg "Coach Nick Saban stands on the turf inside Bryant-Denny Stadium during media day Saturday, August 3, 2019 in Bryant-Denny Stadium. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]")
During coverage of the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday, Nick "Saban said Miami could have won the national title "if they played any defense at all." Saban said Miami could have won the national title, "If they played any defense at all" according to an X post from Bryan Fischer of Sports Illustrated.
Miami finished first nationally, averaging 43.9 points per game and led the nation, posting 537.2 total yards per game in 2024. The Hurricanes were 68th nationally, allowing 25.3 points per game and 27th in the nation, holding opponents to 327.2 yards per game.
The Achilles heel for Miami defensively in 2024 was allowing big plays. Miami was 94th nationally in 2024, allowing 61 plays of 20 or more yards. The Miami pass defense accounted for 44 of those plays of 20 or more yards allowed, which was 99th nationally in 2024.
Miami finished second nationally with 249 plays of 10 yards or more and 99 of 20 yards or more. The Hurricanes' offense was consistently the best and most explosive during the 2024 season. Miami was 93rd nationally, allowing 37.3 points per game and 72nd, permitting 421.3 total yards per game in losses in 2024.
Saban said Miami could have won the national title, "If they played any defense at all."
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) April 25, 2025
In their 10 wins, Miami was 68th nationally, allowing 25.3 points per game and 41st with opponents gaining 298.9 yards per game. Miami allowed over 30 points six times and 400 yards four times during the 2024 season. The Hurricanes were 4-2 when allowing over 30 points and 2-2 with opponents gaining over 400 yards.
Miami was at its worst defensively in the final two games of the 2024 season. Syracuse and Iowa State each scored 42 points and combined for 894 yards as Miami lost to the Orange and Cyclones. That downfall led to Mario Cristobal replacing Lance Guidry with Corey Hetherman for the 2025 season.