Here’s a hard pill to swallow: The Miami Hurricanes handed a winnable game to SMU on a silver platter, losing 26-20 in a matchup that felt like a self-inflicted wound. But here’s where it gets controversial—while Mario Cristobal’s coaching staff deserves a fair share of the blame, the players themselves weren’t exactly blameless. From penalties to poor execution, it was a masterclass in how not to close out a game. So, who were the standout performers—for better or worse—according to Pro Football Focus (PFF)? And does their analysis align with what fans saw on the field? Let’s dive in.
Top 5 Canes (According to PFF):
1. QB Carson Beck (78.1) – Beck’s performance was a mixed bag. While PFF gave him a solid grade, his overtime interception was the game’s turning point. And this is the part most people miss—that interception shouldn’t have counted. Jojo Trader was tackled in the end zone before the pass was thrown, but ACC officiating struck again. Outside of that, Beck was decent, completing 26/38 passes for 274 yards and 2 touchdowns, though two big plays were nullified by penalties.
2. WR Keelan Marion (75.3) – A reliable target in a game that lacked consistency.
3. CB Keionte Scott (74.4) – Scott’s 3 pressures, 1 sack, and 7 tackles made him a defensive bright spot.
4. DE Akheem Mesidor (72.3) – Despite looking gassed on Kevin Jennings’ touchdown run, Mesidor earned a strong 75.8 run defense grade.
5. CB Damari Brown (71.9) – Solid but unspectacular in a game that needed more heroics.
Bottom 5 Canes (According to PFF):
1. TE Alex Bauman (54.3) – Even his touchdown grab couldn’t save him from a subpar performance.
2. OL Samson Okunlola (54.7) – Part of a struggling left side that couldn’t handle short-yardage situations.
3. TE Elija Lofton (55.5) – Failed to make a significant impact.
4. S Zechariah Poyser (55.9) – His 3 missed tackles (most on defense) earned him a dismal 23.7 tackling grade.
5. LT Markel Bell (56.7) – Joined Okunlola in a lackluster left-side performance, with 3 combined penalties.
The Bigger Picture: PFF’s grading system is fascinating but flawed. It quantifies mistakes without always weighing their impact—like Beck’s interception, which was far more costly than his overall grade suggests. Here’s a thought-provoking question for you: Should grading systems account for game-changing moments, or is consistency the only metric that matters? Let’s debate it in the comments.
And while we’re at it, let’s not forget the elephant in the room: ACC officiating. Was Trader’s tackle in the end zone just another example of subpar refereeing, or are we missing something? Share your thoughts below—this is one conversation that’s bound to get heated.
