Pittsburgh Panthers

Miami Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Panthers: Game Nine Preview

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Miami Hurricanes return home after road losses at Virginia Tech and Notre Dame to face the 5-3 Pittsburgh Panthers.

The Miami Hurricanes return home trying to break a four-game losing streak. For the sixth time in seven games, the Hurricanes are facing a team with a winning record. Last week’s loss at Notre Dame was the only game in the last seven against a team with a losing record. Playing at Notre Dame Stadium is never an easy task.

The Hurricanes schedule has been daunting. The Saragin ratings have Miami’s schedule 32nd in the country. The ‘Canes strength of schedule would be far higher if not for the first two games against FCS also-ran Florida A&M and 1-7 Florida Atlantic.

Miami has not played any games against the Saragin top ten and are 0-3 against his top 30. Pittsburgh travels to Hard Rock Stadium 5-3, 2-2 in the ACC with their conferences losses coming to Coastal Division co-leaders North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Miami and Pittsburgh will be a battle of strength against strength and weakness against weakness. Pittsburgh brings the nation’s 21st highest scoring offense, but 101st scoring defense to Hard Rock Stadium.

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The Hurricanes are 43rd in the country in points per game and 18th in points allowed. Their offense is worse than their ranking. Miami averaged 51 points per game offensively in their season-opening wins over FAMU, FAU, and Appalachian State. Miami scored two defensive touchdowns in their 35-21 win over Georgia Tech October 1.

Since ACC play commenced, plus Notre Dame, the Miami offense is averaging 17.8 points per game. Taking out the touchdown scored by the special teams on the ND muffed punt last week, and the ‘Canes managed only 20 points on offense against Notre Dame’s 66th ranked scoring defense.

Miami is tied for tenth out of the 14 ACC teams with Duke at 20.8 points per game. Twenty-one of Miami’s 83 points in conference play have come on defense and special teams. The offense has scored 62 points in conference play. That is a 15.5 points per game average.

That would put them last in the ACC in total points scored and 13th out 14 in points per game. Only Boston College, averaging 13. 0 points per game is worse. Conversely, the Panthers are second in the ACC in conference games averaging 38.5 points per game and 14th and last allowing 35.2 points per game.

Injuries to the Miami defense have caused their level of play to slip in the ACC. Although they are still near the top in scoring defense ranked fifth in conference play, the Hurricanes are ninth in total defense measured by yards allowed, giving up 438 yards per game.

Pittsburgh will present a tough challenge for the Miami defense, but the offense needs to reassert itself against one of the country’s most porous defenses. The ‘Canes had the same opportunity last week and failed offensively. Pittsburgh ranks 100th nationally in total defense.