FSU Football: Ranking top 5 defenses Noles will face in 2019

By Kelvin Hunt | Jul 4, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 27: A group of Clemson Tigers defenders make a tackle for loss against Jacques Patrick #9 of the Florida State Seminoles in the third quarter of the game at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. Clemson won 59-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Miami

The Canes make their highest appearance on this list in a while. I’ve routinely felt their defense was overrated the past couple of years as they have been incredibly dependent on turnovers.

Just see the FSU game last season as a prime example. Manny Diaz is now the head coach instead of defensive coordinator but his new coordinator has a similar approach in how he likes to attack opposing offenses.

Miami finished the season No. 14 according to S&P stats, and that side of the ball carried that team because their offense wasn’t great last season with Mark Richt’s indecisiveness on who he wanted his quarterback to be.

The Canes were solid against the run as they allowed 3.54 yards per rush. However, where they really made their money was selling out to get tackles for loss.

They had a 136 tackles for loss last season which was tied for No. 1 in the nation while giving up 19.5 ppg.

The Canes killers on third down, only allowing teams to convert 25.2 percent of the time which was No. 1 in the nation.

The key to beating Miami’s defense is avoiding getting behind the chains and making them pay for selling out so much with explosive plays.

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