Miami travels to Louisville, Kentucky this Saturday to take on the Cardinals in another key ACC game.
The Canes (6-0, 2-0 ACC) enter the game undefeated, ranked #6 in the nation, scoring an average 47.7 points per game (#1). Miami’s defense is allowing 18.8 points per game (#26).
The Cardinals (4-2, 2-1 ACC) enter the game scoring an average of 35.2 points per game (#27), while allowing 19.7 points per game (#31). Louisville has losses to Notre Dame and SMU, both by only one score.
Louisville is led by veteran head coach Jeff Brohm in his second year at Louisville. The Cardinals went 10-4 last year under Brohm and appeared in the ACC Championship Game. He is highly respected offensive play caller and quarterback guru.
Louisville’s potent offense is led by seven year veteran QB Tyler Shough who has thrown for 1,674 yards (63.4%) and 14 touchdowns with only 3 interceptions.
The Cardinals' pass receiving unit is led by WR Ja’Corey Brooks, WR Chris Bell and TE Jamari Johnson. Both Brooks and Bell are speedsters and deep threats. Brooks has 30 receptions for 572 yards and six touchdowns. He is averaging 19.1 yards per catch, so he’s a genuine deep threat. Bell has 13 receptions for 253 yards and two touchdowns for 19.5 yards per catch. Johnson a big and athletic tight end with 11 pass receptions for 140 yards and one touchdown. Miami must find a way to avoid explosive plays on pass defense.
Louisville’s running attack is led by Isaac Brown, with 508 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is averaging 8.6 yards per carry. Brown is also a receiving treat out of the backfield with 14 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown.
The Cardinals’ offensive line is a veteran unit, although without starting LT Monroe Mills due to a knee injury. LG Michael Gonzalez is a four-year starter with 2,447 offensive snaps of experience. Transfer OC Pete Nygra has not allows a sack over the last three years as a starter. RG Austin Collins has allowed four pressures and no sacks this year. Transfer RT Jonathan Mendoza has allowed 11 pressures and two sacks this season.
The Cardinals’ defense is led by DE Ashton Gillotte, LB Stanquan Clark, CB Corey Thornton, CB Quincy Riley and DB M.J. Griffin.
Louisville’s pass rushing unit is led by DE Ashton Gillette. The Boca Raton native has totaled 21 quarterback pressures and two sacks so far this season after, generated 58 quarterback pressures and 11 sacks in 2023.
Linebacker Stanquan Clark, also a Florida native, leads the Cardinals with 37 tackles from his middle linebacker position while adding four tackles for loss and one forced fumble. He has, however, missed eight tackles this year.
The Cardinals’ defensive secondary is a veteran group.
CB Corey Thorton, also a Miami native, has played 2,797 defensive snaps at the college level and has 14 tackles and five passes defended. He has been targeted 24 times, allowing ten receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown. Thornton has picked off four passes in his college career.
CB Quincy Riley is considered an NFL draft prospect with man coverage skills. Riley has one pass this season. According to PFF, Riley has been targeted 14 times, allowing seven receptions for 133 yards.
DB M.J. Griffin is a veteran player who is second on the team with 31 tackles and one interception. Griffin has played 1,579 defensive snaps at the college level.
BOTTOM LINE:
Louisville is an underrated team. They are a dangerous team with an explosive offense and a solid pass defense.
Miami Is a 4 point favorite going into this week.
Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. EST at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC and carried on radio by WQAM-560.
GO CANES!
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