Originally Posted by
CDMKMP
By what metric exactly? I'm seeing 79th or 86th, depending on what model you look at. If you account for the fact it was K State and Notre Dame who did the most damage to them (52 and 41pts) it starts to look a little better. Their schedule so far this year was one of the toughest in the entire country.
The Hokies have better defensive stats but their schedule to this point was pretty weak except for Clemon. They have two common opponents, G Tech and North Carolina.
Miami held NC to 18pts in a loss and V Tech gave up 48 in a loss. Miami gave up 36 to G Tech in overtime (and won), V Tech gave up 17 (and won) in OT as well, but this was also first week of the season so they had tons of time to prepare for the peculiar style of G Tech's offense.
Not saying Miami has a lock on this matchup by any means, but clearly Miami defense is not "almost worst in the nation." They've played three teams that are now in the top 10 after nine weeks of play. ND and K State undefeated with very impressive resumes, and Florida State's only blemish is a 1pt loss to NC State.