ANALYSIS: What we will learn about the Miami Hurricanes defense in game 1

The Miami defense will look a lot different this year than what fans saw under Kevin Steele. In fact, it probably won’t look much like what fans have seen under any past coordinator at Miami.

Lance Guidry runs what he describes as a 4-2-5 but in reality it’s just a flexible defense that can send safeties into the box, corners and linebackers on blitzes, defensive linemen into coverage, etc. There is plenty of pre-snap movement and the idea is to confuse the heck out of an offense.

It will be interesting to unpack just how much aggressiveness he shows in Game 1 against Miami (Ohio), as perhaps the team will save a little bit of it for a huge game 2 against Texas A&M. But certainly there will be a lot to glean given the new system and a lot of new personnel pieces.

WHAT WE WILL LEARN ABOUT THE MIAMI OFFENSE IN GAME 1

Up front should be the strength of the D, especially the end position. That’s where Nyjalik Kelly appears ready to break out in Year 2 at Miami – he was a backup last year. Opposite him is an All-ACC caliber talent in Akheem Mesidor, and behind them is Jahfari Harvey (has started games in past) and true freshman phenome Rueben Bain. Bain has played so well this fall there’s even talk that he will get the same reps as starters – and both he and Mesidor can play inside in pass-rushing situations. Chantz Williams and Jayden Wayne were also mentioned by Mario Cristobal earlier this week as guys that will get reps.

On the interior Leonard Taylor is a freakish talent who wasn’t in prime condition last year but says he’s made big strides in that area this fall. So he could be in for a monster year and some project him as a first-round NFL selection. Opposite him is Purdue transfer Branson Deen, who started there but didn’t put up big numbers. Still, he should be more than capable of getting the job done. Tackle depth is iffy, though, with unproven guys like Ahmad Moten, Hared Harrison-Hunte and true freshman Joshua Horton looking to fill in as needed.

At the linebacker level the team brought in MLB Francisco Mauigoa from Washington State, and he has better size and athleticism than what we’ve seen at that spot the last couple of years. At outside linebacker Louisville transfer KJ Cloyd gave Wesley Bissainthe (who started the end of last year as a freshman) a big battle this fall, and it remains to be seen which will be the starter. Linebacker depth isn’t great, but the position should be better than what we saw a year ago when there were all kinds of issues there from missed tackles to coverage busts.

In the back end safety has one of the best duos in the nation in All-American Kam Kinchens and James Williams, who has first-round NFL talent and will be in the box a lot as a more physical, blitzing/cover guy.

Corner is the biggest question mark on defense, and it appears Davonte Brown will start at one spot whereas true freshman Damari Brown (Davonte’s brother), Ja’Dais Richard or Daryl Porter, Jr. will likely get the nod. At nickel it’s returning starter Te’Cory Couch or Jaden Davis that will start.

Overall? This seems like a defense that will really get after the quarterback, but there may be some issues in run defense (there were big runs against the D in fall drills), and with corners left one-on-one down the field it remains to be seen how they will hold up against the better receivers.

As it pertains to this game, the RedHawks have a QB who can make some plays in Brett Gabbert (younger brother of NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert). He played in just four games last season due to a broken collarbone and threw for 816 yards, with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. Other playmakers here? Notre Dame wide receiver transfer Joe Wilkins Jr., and freshmen Javon Tracy and Que Williams. Also returning for Miami (Ohio) is last season’s second-leading rusher, Keyon Mozee, who will look to surpass the 471 rushing yards he tallied.

This is a good offense for the Canes to face in Game 1, as it can show some of Miami’s weaknesses but shouldn’t be able to consistently get big plays down the field.

The Canes also should be able to dominate up front with a size/athleticism mismatch vs. the RedHawks’ offensive line that allowed 38 sacks last year and lost several key linemen.

This game will also as much be about seeing if Miami players “get” the defense. In other words, there shouldn’t be a lot of busts, blitzes should be effective and receivers should not be running free in the secondary or beating corners one on one for big plays.

Miami clearly out-talents the RedHawks on both sides, and that should be reflected in the playmaking and the final score.

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