The Miami Hurricanes (6-4) are coming off two consecutive losses after losing to Florida State 27-20 last week. The Canes now face another tough challenge as they take on the #10 ranked Louisville Cardinals (9-1). The Cardinals can clinch a spot in the ACC playoff with a win over Miami, so there is a lot at stake for the Cardinals. Meanwhile, the Canes, who are 0-2 in November, are looking to stop their two-game losing streak and are trying to regain momentum by beating a top-ten team and finishing the year on a high note. What must the Canes do to win?
Keys To Victory:
For the past four weeks, I have talked about the need for Miami to protect the football to win. This week is no different. Miami had a chance to tie the game and potentially beat Florida State before Emory Williams went down with an injury. When TVD came in, it only took him seven plays? passes to throw the game-ending pick. Miami won’t beat a top-ten team if it continues to lose the turnover battle. Mario Cristobal continues to trot out TVD despite his having a 2:1 turnover ratio in the past five games (5 TDs and 11 INTs). No one quite knows why Jacurri Brown is not playing despite the staff saying he has shown improvement. A dual-threat quarterback would give the Canes an extra dimension of offensive firepower and more versatility. TVD needs to play better, or Miami will be in trouble once again.
X-Factors:
Last week demonstrated that Jacolby George is the best wide receiver for the Canes. In a game that featured potential first-rounder Keon Coleman, George was the best wide receiver on the field for both teams. Against FSU, George hauled in five catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns. So far this year, he has established himself as the Canes’ alpha receiver with 46 receptions, 707 yards, and seven touchdowns. If TVD can connect with George, the Canes’ chances of winning increase dramatically.
Keep An Eye On:
The Cardinals have elite offensive weapons that can create multiple problems for Miami. Jamari Thrash is having a season just as productive as Jacolby George, with 49 receptions, 734 yards, and six touchdowns on the year. Miami cornerbacks will need to be disciplined and play smart against Thrash, not making mental miscues or falling asleep on plays because Thrash will make you pay. The Cardinals’ running game is even more dangerous than their passing game. Louisville has a dual-threat running attack powered by Jawhar Jordan, who has 976 yards with 11 touchdowns and a 6.9 average on the ground. Isaac Guerendo complements him with 492 rushing yards, seven touchdowns, and a 6.4 yard per carry average. In sum, the Cardinals’ rushing attack has amassed almost 1,500 yards of offense, producing 18 touchdowns at a 6.7 yard per carry average.
Defensively, the Cardinals have a talented linebacker in TJ Quinn who has amassed 71 total tackles, a fumble recovery, and an interception with two passes deflected on the year. Alongside the defensive line, Ashton Gillotte will be a tough test for Miami’s offensive line as he has produced 37 tackles with a whopping ten sacks and three forced fumbles on the year. The Cardinals have dangerous playmakers both offensively and defensively.
Prediction:
Miami will be playing their last home game of the year at Hard Rock Stadium. It has been a season of highs and lows, a season that started with lots of promise but has left fans underwhelmed after Miami lost winnable games against Georgia Tech and NC State. The Canes need to protect the football and come out inspired. I have seen no evidence of this happening with TVD. Unless something dramatically changes, I don’t see how a turnover-prone Miami beats a top-ten team with stud playmakers on both sides of the ball.
Miami – 17
Louisville – 34
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