The Miami Hurricanes are one of only five remaining unbeaten teams this season, heading into Week 10 with a perfect 9-0 record and 5-0 in conference play. Following a 53-31 victory over Duke, Miami now sits at No. 4 in the first round of playoff rankings. Fans are eagerly awaiting the final playoff list on December 8, as Miami has a strong shot at ranking among the top contenders. However, quarterback Cam Ward and the Hurricanes might need to address some defensive issues, as college football analysts have raised concerns about errors in their recent game against Duke.
On the November 6 episode of *College Football Addiction*, hosts JT Pittinger and Blake Ruffino highlighted Miami’s defensive shortcomings. Ruffino commented, “Ironically, they’re 130th in the country for explosive plays allowed. I think they have the best offense, and their front seven is impressive. But you can’t allow a team like Duke, ranked 109th, to expose your defense like that.”
Pittinger added that Miami’s secondary has shown vulnerability, ranking at the bottom in missed assignments. He cautioned that this could be problematic against playoff-caliber teams. Nonetheless, he acknowledged Miami’s offensive strength, calling them “the toast of the ACC.”
While many believe Miami will stay in the top four in the CFP rankings, much of their success rests on Cam Ward’s shoulders. Miami’s defense, however, has had its shaky moments—like their close 38-34 win over Virginia Tech, where Ward’s late 57-yard touchdown drive was necessary to secure victory. As they approach a critical matchup with Georgia Tech, Ruffino’s advice may be worth heeding.
Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key also praised Miami, calling them “a really good football team” and the toughest challenge his squad has faced this season. The Yellow Jackets, coming off a bye week and two losses, are underdogs by 12.5 points but are preparing to rally against the No. 4 Hurricanes, aiming to make a strong showing in front of their home crowd.
