Miami Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Savannah State in Week 2
3. Miami scores on defense
The Miami defense might have looked bad against the LSU Tigers but the Savannah State Tigers don’t quite have the same talent level Ed Orgeron has built in Death Valley. The Miami defense will dominate this matchup physically and won’t have to run as many coverages that always seem to leave open receivers against good but not great quarterback play.
Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz loves to leave holes in the middle of the field by dialing up blitzes but won’t have to blitz as often or as aggressively if his front four can control the line of scrimmage and put pressure on the quarterback. I highly doubt that Savannah State, which was shutout against the UAB Blazers, will be able to contain the power of Gerald Willis III. Willis is the Miami three technique (defensive tackle) that won ACC Defensive Player of the Week for week one after his eight tackle performance against the Bayou Bengals.
The Miami defensive backs don’t have a ton of quality depth but Trajan Bandy will return after his ejection for targeting against LSU. Bandy is a starting cornerback that’s expected to play opposite Michael Jackson. Jackson is known for being a big play defender while Bandy is a sure tackler that gets the job done on every snap.
Miami linebackers Shaq Quarterman and Michael Pinckney were off the field when Brousette had his long backbreaking touchdown run and really can’t afford to be taken off the field on defense. Expect some combination of Willis, Quarterman, Jackson or safety Jaquan Johnson to score on a fumble recovery or an interception.