The Miami Hurricanes were a model of consistency in 2025, and that discipline was a key factor in their run to the National Championship game. Their performance in minimizing negative plays was impressive, showcasing their strength in three critical areas: limiting turnovers, reducing negative plays at the line of scrimmage, and cutting down on penalties year over year.
Turnovers are often game-changers, and Miami excelled in this department, committing just 15 turnovers over 16 games-an average of 0.9 per game. This put them among the elite 21 teams nationwide that averaged fewer than one turnover per game. While National Champion Indiana led with only 0.5 turnovers per game, Miami's improvement from 1.2 turnovers per game in 2024 was notable.
As the Hurricanes gear up for 2026, ball security remains crucial, especially with the arrival of transfer quarterback Darian Mensah. Known for his dynamic passing, Mensah will need to refine his decision-making, having been credited with 21 turnover-worthy plays at Duke in 2025.
Miami's offensive coordinator, Shannon Dawson, has a track record of helping transfer quarterbacks reduce such risky plays. For instance, Cam Ward lowered his turnover-worthy plays from 21 at Washington State in 2023 to 18 at Miami in 2024, and Carson Beck improved from 20 at Georgia in 2024 to just 12 in 2025 with the Hurricanes.
Winning the battle at the line of scrimmage has been another strength for Miami. They allowed only 3.63 tackles for loss per game in 2025, even against tough defenses during their College Football Playoff journey, ranking fifth nationally. As they transition to a new-look offensive line in 2026, the Hurricanes will rely on returning talents like Matthew McCoy and Samson Okunlola, while Ryan Rodriguez and freshman Jackson Cantwell are expected to step into starting roles.
Despite improvements, penalties remain an area for growth. Miami averaged 57.25 penalty yards per game in 2025, ranking 86th nationally-a step up from their 67.54 yards per game in 2024, which placed them 119th. The goal for 2026 will be to reduce this further, aiming for fewer than 50 penalty yards per game, which would position them closer to the national average.
The Hurricanes' offensive potential for 2026 is tantalizing, with explosive playmaking capabilities on the horizon. However, they must continue to focus on the fundamentals that brought them success in 2025: minimizing negative plays and maintaining discipline on the field.