ANALYSIS: 5 keys to the game at Syracuse

Miami’s 5 keys to the game at Syracuse:

5. WIN SPECIAL TEAMS

This past weekend Miami was gashed for a 100-yard KOR for a TD and a long punt return. The Canes also had a special teams fumble recovery of their own. Syracuse may not be a great team, but they have more than enough talent to upset UM. And if Miami falters on special teams again that could be enough for a devastating loss with everything right at the team’s fingertips. Good news is the Syracuse kicking game has been a mess, which gives Miami a massive edge in that department with the always reliable Andy Borregales. Both teams have capable punters. Miami HAS TO be on point with its coverage units. And win this key area of the game. Period.

4. ESTABLISH THE RUN FIRST

Yes, Cam Ward is obviously a guy who can win a game like this on his own. But Syracuse has shown real weakness against the run, with other teams averaging a very healthy 5.2 yards per carry. So this can be a game on the road where guys like Damien Martinez, Mark Fletcher, Jordan Lyle and the offensive line really put the team on their shoulders. A grind-it-out win that helps run clock and keep Syracuse’s strong offense off the field seems a logical way to attack this game. So establish the run first and go from there. It’s a huge benefit that Miami has three backs that can keep each other fresh, and you saw the kind of explosive ability of Lyle this past weekend. Utilize that and ride the backs to victory … with Ward providing what he always does, playmaking as needed.

3. PRESSURE KYLE MCCORD

Heck, this could be No. 1 on this list if not for some just as pressing issues like the overall Canes’ defensive struggles and the turnovers/mistakes we’ve seen pop up. McCord thrives when he has time to find receivers downfield … and it’s a talented group that will get open if you give them enough seconds down the field. And McCord also makes some bad mistakes when he’s pressured or unsure of what he’s seeing on the defensive side, as when he threw five interceptions at Pittsburgh. The Canes cannot afford to let him be comfortable in the pocket. Get to him early and often and the mistakes will come. It seems logical that Syracuse will not win this game if McCord is uncomfortable and forced into bad decisions.

2. AVOID SILLY MISTAKES/TURNOVERS

We saw Cam Ward throw an ill-advised shovel pass back across his body last game that was picked off and another in the end zone he was lucky wasn’t intercepted. Plus Xavier Restrepo lost a fumble. Championship football is being consistently good, and you can’t have mental mistakes and turnovers with everything on the line. Throw penalties into that hat as well. Miami has to be on point and play smart football on both sides. Because the Canes clearly have the talent edge in pretty much all areas against Syracuse. The way better talent loses is with undisciplined play, so Miami has to come out on fire and stay that way.

1. DEFENSE OF THE LAST THREE QUARTERS HAS TO SHOW UP

Syracuse might have the most explosive offense Miami’s faced all season behind Kyle McCord (26 TD passes, 359 pass yards per game), RB LeQuint Allen (819 yards, 12 TDs; 55 catches, 423 yards) and passing game playmakers Oronde Gadsden II (65 catches for 810 yards and five TDs), Trebor Pena (743 yards, 6 TDs) and Georgia transfer Jackson Meeks (801 yards, 5 TDs). Miami’s seen its run defense and pass coverage struggle at different points this season … until it was outstanding the final three quarters last weekend. If the Canes can’t at least take away one aspect of Syracuse’s game, that will be a big problem (and UM has to limit the other area, too). This is a huge test for if Lance Guidry has truly “fixed” the past busts/confusion issues on his side of the ball.