Duke is the one that should have Miami’s attention right now.
Not because the Blue Devils are the most dangerous team left on the schedule, but because of everything wrapped around this matchup. Miami is coming off an emotional loss, and Duke has every reason to come in charged up. Manny Diaz also knows exactly what this game means, and he’s doing it without the quarterback and top receiver who helped him win the ACC: Darian Mensah and Cooper Barkate.
That’s what makes this feel like the most important of the final three. Win one of those games and Miami is basically in the ACC Championship Game. This is the one to grab first, right away, and use it to show the Notre Dame loss is behind them.
There were real positives to take from Saturday, too. Barkate put together a career day with around 112 yards, and it should have been two touchdowns.
Elija Lofton finally got the kind of targets people have been asking for. Dre Jacobs also brought a speed element nobody else on the roster can match.
“He’s a true 4.3 guy,” Ahmmon said of Jacobs.
One deep shot showed exactly what that speed can do. Jacobs blew past his defender at the line and was already 15 yards downfield before Mensah even turned his way. The ball was underthrown and the play ended with pass interference, but that’s the kind of timing issue that gets cleaned up with reps.
With Mali likely out for a few more weeks, Dawson can build around the players he actually has instead of trying to patch together a plan two days before kickoff.
The offensive player Ahmmon says has to rise to the moment is Daylyn Upshaw. No hesitation there.
Barkate and Jacobs are working outside. Upshaw is the slot guy, and in Dawson’s offense that spot comes with built-in chances. The message was blunt.
“I’m not saying he’s got to be Malachi Toney,” Ahmmon said. “But we can’t go these next few games with a slot receiver not having production. You’re going to need him.”
Somourian Wingo is another name in the mix, and he’s been on the field plenty. The breakthrough just hasn’t come yet. With three straight home games ahead, this is the window to keep pushing the young players.
Defensively, the answer everyone keeps circling is Damon Wilson.
“We all know it’s going to be Damon Wilson,” Ahmmon said. “Coming in with the presence from Missouri, he has to be able to get to the passer.”
That matters because a pass rush can cover a lot of problems behind it. Quarterbacks have been too comfortable against Miami.
If they start getting hit, throws get rushed, balls flutter, passes get tipped, and some of those ends up in the right hands. Miami has only four interceptions all year.
Marquise Lightfoot has done his part. Justin Scott and Ahmad Moten Sr. have helped push the pocket from the inside. Wilson is the one who has to finish the job.
The youth showed up on the goal line, too, when Ben Congdon missed a block on a Mensah run. That’s the reality with true freshmen: they’re on the field in big moments for a reason, but mistakes come with the territory.
Samson Okunlola also has a chance to bounce back against a smaller Duke front. By his standards, the last month has been rough, and the play at left tackle has slipped from what Miami saw early in the season.
Ahmmon pointed back to last year and the same basic formula: the tackles have given up more pressures over the last few weeks, and the numbers support that. The path back is simple enough.
Run the ball. Keep Carson Beck clean.
That’s what got Miami to the title game in the first place.
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Randle is expected to take an official visit to Notre Dame this weekend for the game against Boston College, giving the Irish a chance to make their pitch in person. For Miami, it is an early test worth watching closely, because keeping elite defensive talent in the class matters just as much as landing it in the first place. [Read more 🡒]