Opponent Breakdown: Miami Offense

Manny Diaz took over as the Miami head coach after the 2018 season and promptly fired the entire offensive staff. Diaz then brought in Dan Enos to lead an offense that was more pass heavy. The results have shown a minimal improvement from a statistical standpoint. Enos has been a coordinator in the past but I would imagine that Diaz expected his offense to look more like Alabama’s offense last year than what we’ve seen so far.

Miami has played two quarterbacks this year but Jarren Williams appears to have won his starting job back after a strong performance against FSU last week. Williams has one of the highest completion percentages in the country but last week he showed that he could stretch the field with his arm. He will be a big focal point in this game as he has had some issues with fumbles as well as some interceptions and near interceptions. I don’t think we will see N’kosi Perry in this game but if we do, I’d imagine Louisville will have the lead.

Dan Enos has one thing going for him which is a running back group that has shown some nice flashes. I describe it as “flashes” because Enos refuses to run the ball even when they have success. Miami’s running backs aren’t even getting 20 carries per game this year. DeeJay Dallas is averaging 6 yards per carry but he doesn’t get a lot of touches in games. Dallas is a big play guy who hajs three runs of 50+ yards this year but he has the size to get the tough yards, too. He splits his carries with Cam’Ron Harris who is averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Louisville has to make sure that Miami doesn’t get their running game going. Miami has the worst third down offense in the country because they set themselves up in long yardage situations.

The Canes have one of the most talented group of receivers in the country but they haven’t been able to break free this year. Miami has very real issues on the offensive line and it makes it hard for them to push the ball down the field. Brevin Jordan has become the best option in the passing game. Jordan is a big tight end with great athleticism. They will split him out in the slot as well as lining him up on the line. He can make plays from either spot and the offense does a good job working him into the offense. Louisville hasn’t defended tight ends all too well over the season but they have been much better over the last few weeks.

K.J. Obsorn, Jeff Thomas, and Mike Harley make up a very fast and quick group of receivers. Osborn is a grad transfer from Buffalo who can do a bit of everything. He’s the reliable outside guy in this offense but he can make people miss in the open field if given the opportunity. Thomas is the burner of the group. When you think of the Florida schools you always think of these freaky fast guys that just seem to be moving much faster than everyone else. That’s what Thomas is, to me. Louisville has to keep him contained. Harley is the slot guy that is most dangerous after the catch. This group has been held in check for the most part this year but FSU got beat a lot last week. Louisville can’t allow that to happen.

If you’re wondering how an offense with a quarterback that completes a bunch of passes and running backs with solid production can be so average, look to the offensive line. Miami’s is very bad and it makes the entire offense much worse than it should be. Miami starts two true freshmen on the line. Zion Nelson starts at left tackle. He was one of the players that was committed to App State before the staff came to Louisville. Jakai Clarke was a fairly lowly rated center prospect that had a handful of big offers. Both have shown their youth this year. Miami is the fourth worst team in the country when it comes to sacks allowed. They’re not much better at tackles for loss allowed. This is the area where Louisville has a clear advantage.