Miami’s offensive line is still a work in progress, but the run game has started to look like a real strength through five games of the 2026 season.
That matters because the No. 3 Hurricanes came into the year with a new-look front, one that was talented but short on experience.
A few veterans were shifted into different spots, and the hope inside the program was that the group would start to gel as the season went on. Early on, that didn’t show up in the opener against Stanford.
But over time, the line has started to turn that internal confidence into production.
The clearest sign is in yards before contact, a useful barometer for how much room the line is creating before a defender gets to the ball carrier. Miami’s numbers have climbed across the first five games:
- Stanford: 0.81 YBCt (108th)
- Florida A&M: 2.27 YBCt (42nd)
- Wake Forest: 1.18 YBCt (85th)
- Ball State: 3.63 YBCt (11th)
- Clemson: 2.76 YBCt (22nd)
Overall, Miami sits 33rd nationally in yards before contact per carry at 2.14, which is well above the national average of 1.81. That is a big jump from 2025, when the Hurricanes ranked 112th in the country at 1.40.
The improvement didn’t happen all at once. Miami had real trouble creating push against Stanford and Wake Forest, but the insertion of massive true freshman Ben Congdon against Ball State helped change the look of the line. Since then, the run blocking has trended in the right direction, and the challenge now is keeping that momentum rolling through ACC play and into the Notre Dame game.
The backfield is doing its part, too. Miami has one of the most talented groups in the country, led by Mark Fletcher, and the Hurricanes are currently fifth nationally in yards per carry after contact at 4.31. That combination - better blocking plus runners who can do damage once they’re through the first wave - gives this ground game real teeth.
There was a clear example of that in Miami’s 41-13 win at Clemson. The Hurricanes finished off the Tigers by leaning on the run in the fourth quarter, piling up 70 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries to put the game away.
Pro Football Focus has taken notice as well. Miami’s run blocking grade is ninth-best in the nation.
Saturday’s opponent, Florida State, brings the kind of numbers that can make Miami’s progress even more dangerous. The Seminoles just had a rough outing against Louisville, allowing 397 yards and six touchdowns on 9.2 yards per carry. Isaac Brown shredded them for 235 yards and two scores while averaging 13.8 yards per carry.
Florida State is allowing 2.67 yards before contact per rush, which ranks 133rd nationally, and 2.98 yards per carry after contact, which ranks 49th. Against Louisville, the Seminoles gave up 5.05 yards before contact per rush and 4.52 yards per carry after contact per rush. Their run defense grade from PFF sits 128th overall.
Miami’s line still has questions to answer, especially now that starting right guard Max Buchanan is out for the rest of the regular season. But the overall trend is hard to ignore. If the Hurricanes keep generating the kind of push they showed against Clemson, this offense becomes a lot tougher to deal with.
In Other News...
Former Miami Tight End Could Soon Shake Up The Big Ten Race
Alex Baumans path from Miami to Michigan took a notable turn this week after the former Hurricanes tight end won a legal injunction that allows him to enter the transfer portal and join the Wolverines. Michigan has been searching for ways to steady an offense that has struggled, and the plan is to bring in Bauman along with another player as the program looks for a quicker spark.
For Miami fans, it is another reminder of how much movement can reshape the national picture in a hurry. Baumans debut is expected soon, and Michigan is hoping the former Hurricane can help provide the kind of boost that could matter in a crowded Big Ten race. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Defense Has Florida State Facing A Dangerous Quarterback Problem
Florida State has found itself dealing with a quarterback profile that can swing games in a hurry, and Ashton Daniels fits that mold. He has the longest average time to throw in the country at 3.63 seconds, a trait that can lead to big moments but also leaves him exposed to sacks and interceptions when the pocket tightens up. For Miami, that style of play is familiar territory, and it tends to put a premium on discipline up front and speed on the edge.
The Hurricanes have historically made life difficult for quarterbacks who linger too long with the ball, cutting into both their effectiveness and their rushing production. That is the danger for Florida State here: Daniels can extend plays and create explosive gains, but every extra beat he holds it gives Miami more chances to disrupt the drive. If the Hurricanes can keep him uncomfortable early, the Seminoles could find themselves fighting the same problem all game. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Heads Into Florida State With One Big Protection Concern
Miami heads into its rivalry matchup with Florida State carrying the kind of offensive line concern that can shape everything else in a game plan. The Hurricanes have been sorting through injuries, including a shoulder issue for Malachi Toney and surgery for Max Buchanan, and that leaves the protection picture unsettled at a time when every snap matters even more in a game of this size.
The good news for Miami is that the defense still looks like the teams steadier anchor, with the secondary getting some players back and the unit remaining among the nations better groups. Even so, when the opponent across the field is Florida State and the atmosphere is as charged as it will be, the ability to keep the pocket clean and keep the offense on schedule may end up defining the afternoon. [Read more 🡒]