Just saw the new Way-Too-Early Top 25 and Miami is in there but nobody is talking about the hidden yardage that will actually decide these games. Our special teams unit has been a silent killer for years, and if that doesn't change, the ranking is meaningless.
The average starting field position for Miami's offense last season was the 27-yard line. That's bottom third nationally. You can't expect to consistently drive 70-plus yards against top defenses. Meanwhile, the coverage units gave up 12.8 yards per punt return, which puts the defense in a terrible spot before they even take the field.
This isn't about having a flashy returner. It's about the fundamentals of the third phase that get ignored every spring. The new transfers and freshmen need to be drilled on lane discipline and tackling in space from day one. Winning the field position battle by five yards per drive is the difference between a field goal attempt and a punt. Until that number flips, we're just hoping the offense bails out a neglected unit.