Coach Mario Cristobal, who was a former first-team All-Big East offensive lineman for the Miami Hurricanes, has built the Miami Hurricanes offensive and defensive lines under his tutelage. No longer are the Hurricanes considered a finesse team. Cristobal has gradually transformed the University of Miami offensive and defensive lines into tough, aggressive, disciplined, and stout line units.
It should not be anyone's surprise that the big lineman up front on both sides of the ball are responsible for the majority of the Cane's success this season. Many claim that in the game of football, the play of the big men in the trenches, could determine whether a team will win or lose the contest. That theory has proven to become one of the significant reasons why the Miami Hurricane program have been able to commence the season unblemished.
In previous seasons, the offensive and defensive line play has hurt the Miami Hurricanes. Committing unprovoked penalties, while also lacking toughness, aggression, and physicality have been the primary reasons why the Canes were not able to challenge for national championships.
The defensive line play of All-American defensive lineman Rueben Bain, Jr., along with the other talented Miami defensive lineman has helped the linebacking core and secondary, by putting those units in great position to tackle and pass defend. Because of the constant pressure of the Hurricanes' defensive lineman, opposing quarterbacks are more prone to commit turnovers, whether by fumbling the ball, or throwing an unwarranted interception.
The ACC conference is not known for producing and having talented offensive and defensive lines, as well as a plethora of talented players from these units. The Miami Hurricanes could set the trend regarding programs having offensive and defensive lines that are dominant. Winning in the trenches is what most college coaches and programs would love to emphasize, but few programs are able to consistently have stellar play in the "epic" trenches.