Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Miami Hurricanes 3rd Down Efficiency Key Vs Notre Dame

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Miami Hurricanes third down conversation rate has hurt them offensively and defensively this season. Notre Dame has also struggled on third down on both sides of the ball this year.

Miami is 104th and Notre Dame 111th nationally in third down conversation rate offensively. Miami is 38th and Notre Dame 55th in third down percentage on the defensive side of the ball.

Miami is 66th and 33rd and Notre Dame 60th and 44th in fourth down conversion rate offensively and defensively. The Hurricanes are last in the ACC in third down conversion percentage offensively and 13th out of 14 teams defensively on third down.

The Hurricanes convert just 25 percent of the time on third down offensively and allow opponents to convert 46.2 percent of their third down attempts in ACC play. Boston College is slightly worse at 46.3 percent.

Notre Dame has been much better on third downs defensively in their games against ACC opponents. Duke was six for 14 in their upset against the Irish in South Bend. In their victories over Syracuse and North Carolina State, the Fighting Irish defense allowed just five first downs on 29 attempts on third down.

The Blue Devils, Orange, and Wolfpack were also just four for 12 on fourth down. The Fighting Irish Offense has been another story. Against Duke, Syracuse, and North Carolina State. Notre Dame was able to convert five for 12 on third down against Duke but was only four for 27 on third down against Syracuse and NC State.

One of the keys for Miami defensively will be to get Notre Dame into third and long. The Hurricanes rank 17th nationally with 3.17 sacks per game, that comes out to 22 sacks on the season overall. The ‘Canes are first in the country at 10.1 tackles for loss per game and with 71 TFL’s overall.

Miami was able to pile up the Sacks and Tackles for loss in the first three non-conference games of the season. The Hurricanes are sixth in the ACC with ten sacks in conference play. The Hurricanes have 71 tackles for on the season. Forty of those came in the season-opening wins over Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, and Appalachian State.

The Hurricanes have 71 tackles for on the season. Forty of those came in the season-opening wins over Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, and Appalachian State. Miami has been back to attack mode the last two weeks with 17 tackles for loss.

Miami needs to get their running game going. Converse to keeping Notre Dame in third and long, the Hurricanes have to avoid getting into third and long offensively. Miami has averaged 232.5 rushing yards per game in their wins and 83 yards per game on the ground in their losses.

The importance of protecting Quarterback Brad Kaaya cannot be overstated. The Hurricanes are 70th nationally protecting the Quarterback. Miami has allowed 15 sacks this season, an average of 2.14 sacks per game. The ‘Canes are 12th in the ACC, allowing 13 sacks in four conference games.

Last week the offensive line was porous, allowing eight sacks at Virginia Tech. Notre Dame will not put nearly as much pressure on the Miami offensive line and Kaaya. The Fighting Irish are 125th out of 128 teams nationally averaging just .86 sacks per game with six sacks in seven games.