FSU football: Top three Miami weaknesses benefitting the Noles

Explosive Plays Allowed

One of Miami’s strengths is their ability to hit explosive plays on offense, but one of their biggest weaknesses is how many their defense allows on the ground and through the air.

Here’s where their FBS opponents rank according to offensive FEI (opponent adjusted):

• Alabama-No. 1
• App. State-No. 38
• Michigan State-No. 34
• Virginia-No. 8
• North Carolina-No. 12
• NC State-No. 49
• Pittsburgh-No. 32
• Georgia Tech-No. 76

FSU’s offense checks in at No. 50, but that includes several games without Jordan Travis at QB. Miami’s tied for No. 91 nationally in opponent long scrimmage plays. They rank No. 105 nationally with 16 runs allowed of 20+ yards. They are No. 63 nationally with five runs allowed of 30+ yards. They rank No. 70 nationally with three runs allowed of 40+ yards. They’ve allowed three runs of 50+ yards as well.

The Miami secondary isn’t much better, allowing 31 plays of 20+ yards. They’ve allowed 13 plays of 30+ yards, and eight plays of 40+ yards allowed. They’ve also allowed plays of 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 yards on the season. FSU hasn’t allowed a pass play over 60 yards all season.