The Miami football team should have a big advantage at quarterback at North Carolina State on Saturday. How big of an advantage will depend on how well Tyler Van Dyke plays. When Van Dyke has been at his best this season he has been one of the best QBs in the country. At his worst Van Dyke has been turnover prone.
Van Dyke leads the ACC in completion percentage and passer rating, is second in yards per game and third in yards per attempt. The Miami football team has been plagued by Van Dyke interceptions. In his last three games, Van Dyke has completed 75 passes in 114 attempts for 842 yards five touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Van Dyke had by far his worst game of the season on Saturday in the 29-23 Miami overtime win over Virginia. Van Dyke completed 20 passes in 30 attempts for 163 yards, no TDs, two interceptions and a season-low 98.98 passer rating. The previous season low for Van Dyke was a 159.92 passer rating versus Miami (Ohio).
M.J. Morris will make his fourth start of the 2023 season on Saturday versus Miami. Morris became the starter after Virginia transfer Brennan Armstrong was benched. Armstrong previously worked with current North Carolina State offensive coordinator Robert Anae at Virginia. North Carolina State has been inconsistent offensively.
North Carolina State is 10th in the ACC averaging 25.2 points per game, 13th averaging 329.3 total yards per game, 13th averaging 195.9 passing yards per game and 12th averaging 133.38 rushing yards per game. With Morris starting, NC State is averaging 25.0 PPG, 304.0 total YPG and 198.67 passing YPG.
The Miami football team is third in the ACC averaging 35.4 PPG, 456.1 total YPG and 272.4 passing YPG and fourth averaging 183.75 rushing YPG. North Carolina State is sixth in the ACC allowing 22.8 PPG, seventh giving up 336.8 total YPG, ninth with opponents gaining 227.1 passing YPG and fourth permitting 109.63 rushing YPG.
Miami is second in the ACC in scoring defense permitting 20.0 PPG, fourth allowing 321.5 total YPG, 10th allowing 234.6 passing YPG and first permitting 86.88 rushing YPG. Making NC State one-dimensional and forcing Morris to beat them on Saturday night is the expected game plan from Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry.
If the Hurricanes can stop the anemic North Carolina State run, that will provide the Miami pass rushers opportunities to focus on getting to Morris. Miami is second in the ACC with 28 sacks. North Carolina State is sixth in the ACC allowing 16 sacks. Morris has been sacked nine times in three starts.
Morris can be a threat running. Although he has 26 carries for 20 yards rushing this season, Morris had 14 carries for 38 yards rushing versus Duke. Miami has to contain the running lanes while still being able to pressure Morris. If Van Dyke plays at his best, Miami should have a huge advantage at QB.