4 Miami 2024 opponents ranked PFF top 10 at their position nationally defensively

Cornerbacks Quincy Riley of Louisville and and Dorian Strong of Virginia Tech, Cardinals' edge rusher Ashton Gillotte and Hokies' interior defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles are the four opponents the Miami football team will play in 2024 who are ranked in the top 10 at their position by Pro Football Focus.

Miami has previously played against Gillotte, Peebles, Riley and Strong. Peebles transferred from Duke after the 2023 season. Miami played against Gilotte and Riley in 2023 and Strong from 2020 through 2022. Miami and Virginia Tech did not play for the first time since 1991 during the 2023 season.

Peebles played against Miami from 2020 through 2022 with Duke before the ACC Atlantic and Coastal Divisions were eliminated before the 2023 season. Duke and Miami did not play in 2023. Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson will have plenty of film on the top 10 ranked PFF players.

Miami hosts Virginia Tech on Friday, September 27 and plays at Louisville on October 16. Louisville and Virginia Tech are the only teams Miami will play in 2024 that has two players ranked in the top 10 at their position on offense or defense by PFF.

In his sole game against Miami in 2023 Gillotte had two tackles. Gillotte had 45 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks last season. Gillotte was sixth in the ACC in TFLs and led the conference in sacks in 2023. In addition to his prowess as a pass rusher, Gillotte received an 84.4 run defense grade from PFF which was eighth nationally.

Gillotte was 10th nationally among edge defenders per PFF with 68 pressures. Gillotte finished eighth nationally in sacks. The ability for Gillotte to rush the passer with Riley at CB makes for a difficult tandem for offensive coordinators to prepare against when playing Louisville.

Peebles is the only 2024 transfer in the PFF interior DL. Peebles was second nationally among FBS IDL with a 90.1 pass-rushing grade, the fifth-ranked defensive tackle with a 16.2 percent win rate and the fourth most valuable returnee at his position in the PFF wins above-average metric.

In three games during his career against Miami Peebles had five tackles, a 0.5 TFL and a 0.5 sack. Miami won blowout games over Duke in 2020 and 2021 before the Blue Devils earned an easy win at Miami in Mario Cristobal's first season in 2022.

Strong led all FBS CBs in 2023 allowing a 27.3 completion rate and with a 0.24 yards allowed per snap, while finishing second in passer rating allowed at 11.8. Strong had two tackles against Miami in his two games versus the Hurricanes in 2021 and 2022. Miami should be able to neutralize Strong with three 800-yard receivers returning in 2024.

Riley is the second most valuable returning CB in 2024 per PFF. Riley allowed 23 receptions on 63 targets in his coverage which was the sixth-lowest completion percentage at 36.5 percent. Riley had six tackles against Miami in a 38-31 Louisville win during the 2023 season.

Game planning for Gillotte, Peebles, Riley and Strong will be critical for Shannon Dawson in 2024. Louisville and Virginia Tech are projected to be two of the most challenging games for Miami in 2024. Gillotte, Peebles, Riley and Strong are likely to earn preseason All-ACC.