Is it time to concerned about what is happening in Coral Gables, Florida?
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Miami Football’s Hot Start Comes with Concerns
Miami football is off to one of its best starts since 2017, currently sitting third in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) standings and ranked eighth in college football with a 5–0 record. The Hurricanes have secured solid wins against Florida, South Florida, and Virginia Tech.
However, controversy arose after Miami’s latest victory, as many fans believe Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones' last-second “Hail Mary” pass was caught in the back of the end zone by senior wide receiver Da’Quan Felton.
As a Miami Hurricanes fan, I had my doubts while watching the replay angles on TV. But beyond this single play, there are deeper concerns Miami must address before making a serious push for the ACC Championship.
Concern №1: Can Miami’s Front Seven Sustain Its Success?
Let’s address the elephant in the room. This past offseason, Miami revamped its defense, particularly at the defensive line and linebacker positions. Whether through the transfer portal or high school recruits, the Hurricanes built one of the most competitive front sevens in college football.
Yet, Miami’s defense surrendered nearly 400 yards to one of the ACC’s weakest offenses—something that simply “can’t happen.” Through the first four games, Miami’s front seven was dominant, holding opponents to just 259 rushing yards on 105 carries (an average of 2.5 yards per carry).
However, against Virginia Tech, the Hurricanes gave up 206 rushing yards on just 32 carries (6.4 yards per carry). While no defense can dominate every game, Miami’s inability to maintain a consistent pass rush could leave the secondary vulnerable against stronger opponents.
Concern №2: Suspect Pass Coverage
Miami’s pass defense struggled against Virginia Tech, allowing Kyron Drones to throw for 189 yards and convert key downs to keep the game close. If you’re a Miami fan, coach, or even an equipment staff manager, this Sept. 27 win probably felt more like a loss. That’s never an easy pill to swallow.
Concern №3: Inconsistent Run Game
After boasting one of the ACC’s best rushing attacks last season, Miami’s ground game has raised questions this year. Is the offensive line underperforming? Are the Hurricanes not rotating their backs effectively? Or is the coaching staff not starting the right running back?
At first glance, Miami’s rushing stats seem solid—163 carries for 965 yards (5.9 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns through five games. However, those numbers are often inflated by a few explosive plays. Without key contributions from quarterback Cam Ward and running back Chris Johnson Jr. against Virginia Tech, the running back corps would have managed just 21 carries for 84 yards (4.0 yards per carry).
If Miami doesn’t address these issues, its College Football Playoff hopes could quickly fade. However, the team’s strong will to win, unselfish play and solid coaching have shown fans across the country that “The U” might truly be back.
