Which Defensive Statistic Helps Miami The Most To Reach The College Football Playoff?

The Miami Hurricanes have arguably their best defensive front seven depth chart since the 2017 season.

Could all the talent and depth created by Mario Cristobal and his coaching staff have the Hurricanes' defense in a position to reach the College Football Playoff even more than the offense led by quarterback Cam Ward ? It’s plausible and here is a prime statistic that will need to lead the way.

Quarterback sacks.

Coming off a 2023 season with 35 sacks and ranking 22nd nationally, Miami’s front seven has more speed, size, depth, and experience to push that total to at least 40.

Coming off an injury, defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor is a player who’s breaking out according to Canes insider Geo Milian . He went on Alex Donno’s Locked On Canes podcast to discuss the topic. Mesidor is the beginning of the list.

All the following statistics are from CFB Stats .

Miami has several proven front seven players capable of bringing down quarterbacks. Rueben Bain, Jr . (7.5), Francisco Mauigoa (7.5), Tyler Baron (6 - Tennessee), and Elijah Alston (6 - Marshall) are proven edge defenders and blitzers (Mauigoa) who also have more support in the middle.

Miami has C.J. Clark coming to The U from North Carolina State and Simeon Barrow , Jr. from Michigan State. These are two athletic and massive defensive tackles that opposing teams will likely double-team quite often. That point opens more opportunities for Miami’s defensive ends and Mauigoa. There’s another factor to consider as well.

The Hurricanes have linebacker Wesley Bissainthe, Jr . coming back for his junior season. He’s one of the fastest and most athletic defenders on the roster. Not only will he help UM cover running backs and tight ends to give the aforementioned pass rushers time to get home to the opposing signal-caller, but Bissainthe could also join the sack party.

His 2023 statistics include 2 sacks. He should reach a higher total in 2024. The opposition knows Mauigoa is going to blitz quite often because he’s such a proven commodity. That being true, do not be surprised when Bissainthe charges the backfield and adds more sacks this season.

Having Bissainthe and/or another talented player step up his pass rushing abilities could be the difference in winning at least one more game. It also could lead to a completely different trajectory after the regular season and ACC title game.

Combining all of Miami’s talent and experience, the defense has several talented defenders capable of changing games with sacks. That statistic could be the key to helping Miami reach the College Football Playoff.