Mario Cristobal identifies where Miami must improve on defense

Miami‘s defense has given up 117 points throught three ACC games this season. Most recently submitting 45 points to an unranked Louisville team, the ‘Canes remain undefeated heading into Week 9.

While the defense hasn’t been as secure as head coach Mario Cristobal would have liked over that stretch, he’s pleased with the effort his guys have put forth on the field this season, particularly at the defensive line position.

“They played at a high level. They really did,” Cristobal said of his DL. “I think they fed off each other and competed. I think [Akheem] Mesidor could be thrown in that mix as well. You know, Akeem has really just volunteered his body to do whatever we ask him to do, inside, outside, nose tackle, 3,5, 7, 9. We’re going to continue pushing that group.

“Coach [Jason] Taylor has done a really good job with those guys, developing them, and we can get more out of them. We can. There’s more to be had there. And we’re going to push and test them this week, because they’re capable. And I think Saturday was an example of some of the things we can do.”

Notably, defensive lineman Rueben Bain has posted 4.0 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in the two games since he’s been back on the field after a brief injury early in the season.

The good news for Miami — it appears as though they’ve cleared the toughest test left on their schedule after winning against the Cardinals. They likely won’t play a ranked team until they presumably find themselves in the ACC Championship game in December.

Matchups against one-loss Duke and Syracuse are the final hurdles that appear to separate the ‘Canes from the ACC’s summit. However, they’ll host 1-6 Florida State at home on Saturday first. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET live on ESPN. The ‘Canes are 21-point favorites heading into the Week 9 rivalry matchup.