Where Do the Miami Hurricanes Rank Statistically Entering Week 9?

In college football, each team undergoes scrutiny not just for its win-loss record but also for its performance across various statistical categories. In this thorough analysis, I have taken the time to delve into the Miami Hurricanes’ performance throughout their first seven games in 2023. This involves breaking down their offensive, defensive, and special teams statistics to see where Miami stacks up in the nation and within their own conference in the ACC. This will help fans or readers to gain a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, as well as identify areas that require improvement as they progress as a team following a 5-2 start this season.

*** If you are looking for a streamlined version directly to the statistic rankings, I have created statistic tables at the end of all the text written below. ***

Miami Has a Lot of Potential, but They Need to Get Out of Their Own Way to Take the Next Step as a Program:

The Hurricanes have had their share of highs and lows during the season, but the factors that have held them back more than anything else have been costly turnovers and bone-headed penalties. Would have, could have, and hypotheticals can be spoken about ad nauseam, but it is reality now. They’ve committed a total of 51 penalties as a team, which ranks them 102nd in the nation and 12th in the ACC. Their average of 7.29 penalties per game places them 112th in the nation and 12th in the ACC. In terms of turnover margin, Miami ranks 75th nationally and is tied for 12th in the ACC, with a margin of -0.14.

Offensive Performance:

Miami’s offense has been impressive in several aspects. They’ve managed to convert 38 out of 81 third-down attempts, boasting a conversion rate of 46.9%. This statistic places them 17th in the country and second in the ACC, trailing only the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Hurricanes have also been effective on fourth downs, converting 5 out of 9 attempts for a rate of 55.6%, which ranks them fourth in the ACC and 25th nationally. Miami’s offense has successfully secured 168 first downs, ranking 15th nationally and 3rd in the ACC. The Hurricanes have also been fairly efficient in the red zone, with a conversion rate of 87.9%, which ranks 31st nationally and 5th in the ACC. However, the team has faced several challenges when it comes to ball security, losing six fumbles and throwing seven interceptions, ranking 105th and 78th in the nation, respectively.

Quarterbacks Tyler Van Dyke and freshman Emory Williams have achieved a remarkable collective completion rate of 71.1%, which places them 9th in the nation and 1st in the ACC. Miami’s passing game has been a significant contributor to their offensive success, ranking 24th in the nation with an average of 288.0 passing yards per game. The Hurricanes’ passing efficiency remains impressive, ranking 15th in the nation and 1st in the ACC at 162.26. Their yards per pass completion stands at 12.22, which is the 59th best in the country and 11th in the ACC, which means Miami’s receivers have done a great job at creating yards after catch plays on the field. The team’s offensive line has excelled in pass protection, conceding only 1.14 sacks per game, a statistic that ranks them 8th in the nation and 3rd in the ACC.

When it comes to rushing, Miami’s offense has performed very well, averaging 193.9 yards per game, which ranks them 22th in the nation and 3rd in the ACC. Their yards per carry average of 5.43 is even more impressive, ranking 11th in the nation and 2nd in the ACC. Miami’s offense concedes an average of 4.86 tackles for loss per game, ranking them 19th in the nation and 5th in the ACC.

In terms of scoring, Miami’s offense averages 36.3 points per game, which places them 13th in the country and 2nd in the ACC behind Florida State. They also control the time of possession extremely effectively, tying for 2nd in the country and 1st in the ACC, with an average of 33 minutes per game. The Hurricanes’ total offensive yardage averages 481.9 yards per game, positioning them 10th in the nation and 2nd in the ACC, trailing North Carolina.

Furthermore, their 7.0 yards per play average ranks them 8th in the country and 1st in the ACC. Once again though the downside, Miami’s offense has turned the ball over 13 times, tying them for 98th in the nation and last in the ACC, alongside Clemson and Georgia Tech. That has to change if Miami wants to maximize their explosiveness on offense.

Defensive Performance:

Switching our focus to the defensive side of the ball, Miami’s defense has revealed both strengths and areas for improvement. The Hurricanes’ defense has allowed opposing teams to convert 35 out of 98 third-down attempts in 2023, with a conversion rate of 35.7%. This statistic places them sixth in the ACC and 45th in the country. In contrast, their fourth-down defense is the most dominant in both the ACC and the entire country, allowing only 1 conversion out of 9 attempts, with a conversion rate of 11.1%.

In the red zone, Miami’s defense ranks 47th in the country and 8th in the ACC, with a conversion rate of 79.2% for opposing teams, however, Miami has yet to score a touchdown off a turnover this season, which its fans would say is uncharacteristic for a Miami Hurricanes defense. Their defense has conceded 112 first downs, a very good mark, in fact, which ranks 13th nationally and ties them for 2nd in the ACC with Louisville. In terms of creating turnovers, the defense has recovered five fumbles, ranking 30th nationally and 4th in the ACC. The defense has also intercepted seven passes, tying them for 7th in the country and 5th in the ACC.

When it comes to pass defense, Miami allows an average of 234 passing yards per game, ranking 73rd in the nation and 11th in the ACC, which largely has been attributed to miscommunications between their safeties and cornerbacks on deep passes and a need for improvement in coverage responsibilities inside the hashes and over the middle of the field that has been exploited by both North Carolina and Clemson in recent games. Although their defensive passing efficiency ranks 39th nationally and 6th in the ACC with a rating of 122.97. In contrast, the Hurricanes’ rush defense has been formidable, allowing only 79.6 rushing yards per game, ranking them 7th in the country and 1st in the ACC.

Overall, Miami’s defense allows an average of 19.14 points per game, positioning them 25th in the country and 3rd in the ACC. They share the top spot in the ACC, along with Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech, in sacks per game with 3.14, which is also tied for 6th in the nation. Additionally, they are tied for 1st in the ACC with Clemson and 7th in the nation in tackles for loss per game at 7.6.

The Hurricanes’ defense allows 313.6 total yards per game, ranking them 20th in the nation and 2nd in the ACC, behind only Clemson. Their yards per play average of 5.07 places them 13th in the country and 3rd in the ACC, trailing Pittsburgh and Duke. In terms of creating turnovers, Miami’s defense has managed to force 12 turnovers, tying them for 7th in the country and 2nd in the ACC, alongside Clemson, NC State, and Syracuse.

Special Teams Performance:

When it comes to special teams, Miami has produced a bit of mixed results during the 2023 season. The Hurricanes have yet to block a kick this season, but they’ve allowed one blocked kick. Similarly, they haven’t blocked a punt this season but have allowed one blocked punt.

On kickoff returns, Miami’s special teams unit has held opposing returners to an average of 19.09 yards per return, ranking 54th in the country. Their own kickoff return unit, however, is very impressive, averaging 27.87 yards per return, which ranks 7th nationally and 1st in the ACC.

In the punting game, Miami’s special teams unit maintains a net punting average of 39.15 yards, ranking 64th in the country and 7th in the ACC. Where they excel is in punt return coverage, allowing only 3.25 yards per return, which ranks 21st in the nation and 4th in the ACC. On the flip side, their punt return unit has averaged 5.12 yards per return, which ranks 80th in the nation and 11th in the ACC. The need to find an explosive playmaker at this spot could be resolved with freshman wide receiver Nathaniel “Ray Ray” Joseph Jr.’s recent promotion as the Hurricanes’ new punt returner.

Offensive Rankings

Defensive Rankings

Special Teams Rankings

Team Rankings