What an expert says Louisville football should expect from the Miami Hurricanes

I sat down with a Miami expert to get a better understanding of what Louisville football should expect.

For the first time in three years, Louisville football is set to play as a ranked team as well as against a ranked team when the no. 17 Miami Hurricanes come to town.

This was one of the most intriguing games on the second release of the ACC football schedule for Louisville, especially considering they weren’t supposed to play for a few more years and that Miami absolutely blew the doors off the Cards a year ago.

Both teams are completely different than they were a year ago, with Louisville having another offseason under their belt to get their defense together and Miami bringing in star transfer D’Eriq King. Both teams are also coming off of big wins over C-USA opponents, with Louisville knocking off Western and Miami taking care of UAB.

This will be each team’s first true test and will give us a much better understanding of where teams are at. Miami didn’t get much of a test in the run defense department, running the ball over 50 times for 300-plus yards while the Cards offense was able to move up and down the field at ease.

We know what Louisville has to do to beat Miami on Saturday thanks to Presley Meyer, but what exactly will they be dealing with and how different of a team will they be? We talked to our friends from Canes Warning, who cover Miami football, and asked what to expect this weekend.

Also Read: Louisville Football Stock Report Heading Into Miami

Big Red Louie: Biggest change in this year’s team from last year?

Canes Warning: The biggest change from last season is the addition of offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Miami has a lot of new high profile players on offense and defense, but Lashlee brings an entirely different style and culture. Miami had 78 plays on offense in the season opener against UAB. The Hurricanes had an average of 65 in 2019.

D’Eriq King is a dynamic playmaker who has shown the ability to do incredible things both on the ground and through the air.. How is he adjusting at Miami and what do you think the ceiling is for him?

King was excellent with 12 carries for 83 yards and a TD against UAB. The Miami passing game came alive in the third quarter against UAB but needs more consistency. The ceiling for King with Lashlee running the offense is high.

Last week Miami ran the ball 52 times in their 31-14 win over UAB. In your opinion, is Miami shifting to become more of a run dominant team or was that just Manny Diaz exploiting something he saw in UAB?

Miami has spoken all offseason that this is a power spread. Its not really being a run dominant or not offense. Miami is likely to exploit what the defense gives them in every game. Their best players on offense other than King and TE Brevin Jordan are RBs, junior Cam Harris and freshmen Jaylan Knighton and Don Chaney Jr.

Obviously we know that Miami destroyed Louisville through the air last season, but is that how you think they’ll attack the Cardinal defense? Or do you anticipate they’ll try and replicate their UAB game plan and run the ball more than they throw?

They will likely attack what Louisville gives them offensively. The goal of the new power spread as stated by Lashlee is to exploit what the defense gives them.

How would you describe the passing game this season? King threw for 144 yards and a TD against UAB, but only averaged 5.9 yards per attempt, and nothing really stood out. Passing game is evolving.

The third quarter stood out throwing the ball. Jordan had three receptions for 53 yards and a TD. He is a matchup problem for opposing defenses. The WRs need to develop more and be consistent. Dee Wiggins could be the player to watch. He scorched Louisville last season.

If Louisville is able to effectively shut down King and Cam’Ron Harris, who will will be the primary threats in the passing game?

Brevin Jordan, potentially Wiggins and second-team TE Will Mallory is expected to have a good season. Harris is not the only RB to shut down. Knighton and Chaney were explosive in the opener against UAB.

It’s been reported Miami will travel to Louisville with only four healthy defensive backs. Considering Miami’s defense had a hard time stopping Tutu Atwell last season (despite the game not showing that) and will also have to face three to four other dynamic receivers is there any worry?

Miami has more than four healthy DBS. They have five scholarship CBs after Christian Williams entered the transfer portal this week. Louisville ccould be able to exploit the Miami CBs, but junior Al Blades Jr. and sophomore Te’Cory Couch were stable against UAB. Junior D.J. Ivey needs to improve quickly. Ivey could be the pass defender that Louisville tries to work on. Miami is deep and very talented at safety with Amari Carter, Bubba Bolden and Gurvan Hall.

There’s no Gregory Rousseau this season after he opted out, but Miami does still have a dangerous edge rusher in Quincy Roche a likely first round pick, as well as UCLA transfer Jaelen Phillips. How worried should Louisville’s offensive line be about trying to protect Malik Cunningham?

Roche, Phillips and redshirt freshman Jahfari Harvey are all elite edge rushers. Losing Rousseau will not have nearly the impact that others programs would have had losing a player with his talent and impact.

Prediction?

Game should be high scoring like last season. Both teams need to avoid turnovers and penalties. Both played a huge role in Miami winning easiley last season.