Behind Enemy Lines: Five Questions for All Hurricanes' Brian Smith

Ahead of Louisville's matchup with Miami, Louisville Report sat down with Brian Smith of All Hurricanes to find out more about the Canes.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After having to mount a comeback against Virginia last week, the Louisville football program is heading down south, traveling to Miami for their final true road game of the 2023 season.

Ahead of the matchup, Louisville Report sat down with Brian Smith of All Hurricanes to find out more about the Canes:

1. What is the overall vibe surrounding the Miami program right now? Things have been up and down for the Canes since ACC play started.

From the fans? Volatile. For us in the media? Frustrating, perhaps ridiculous.

If Miami can find a way to turn the football over or shoot itself in the foot, more often than not, it has done so. The Canes possess far more talent than Georgia Tech and then the infamous non-keel down play took place. That was coaching.

The Canes were ahead of UNC but turned it over four times, including once at the goal line. The Florida State game was at least competitive despite starting a true freshman in Emory Williams at quarterback.

2. QB Tyler Van Dyke is a former ACC Rookie of the Year but has shown serious signs of regression this season, especially over the last month. Why is this, and how has the affected the offense’s overall capabilities?

All of a sudden, Van Dyke cannot beat defenses like Cloud (Cover 3) and basic zone coverages overall. Earlier this season he was absolutely torching teams that used man coverage. That’s more basic to understand, however, and Van Dyke has a big arm. Maybe teams didn’t think the Canes had good receivers? They definitely do and now Van Dyke struggles to find them. The interceptions, holy Toledo, he’s thrown 11 in his prior five starts!

3. Miami’s ground attack hasn’t been as deadly since ACC play started. Is this simply a product of an increase in competition, or is something else at play?

Take the FSU game. Miami ran well in the first half but could not pass much (again, freshman quarterback). The Seminoles tightened the defense and made UM pass the football. Seven men near the line of scrimmage is rough.

When Van Dyke has been in the lineup, it’s more cat and mouse with zone and blitzing, but there have still been several times where teams dare UM to throw, albeit against more zone than it was during the Texas A&M game for instance.

4. How has new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry impacted that side of the ball? Miami has been leaps and bounds more efficient defensively than last season.

He’s elite. Guidry’s scheme is complex yet the Miami defensive players picked it up and executed it quickly. Three-man line and then four-man line on the next play but with the same personnel; Miami gives opposing offenses fits.

Plus, the Transfer Portal and recruiting changed the lineup. Reuben Bain, Jr. is a three-and-out defensive lineman who’s a sure-fire freshman All-American up front. Francisco Mauigoa is one of the nation’s best middle linebackers and an absolutely tremendous blitzer.

The Canes did lose 300-plus-pound defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III during the FSU game. No clue if he’ll be back for Louisville as Cristobal doesn’t give much injury information. That injury would limit Miami’s defensive efforts more because they don’t have many guys that size.

5. Guys like Kamren Kinchens, Francisco Mauigoa, and Rueben Bain are the stars of this defense, but who would you say is the Canes’ X-Factor?

Taylor as mentioned right above, is definitely one. Branson Deen, the other defensive tackle, can be disruptive. Wesley Bissainthe is shot out of a canon when he blitzes or chases down a ball carrier.

The emotional engine is still James Williams. He’s the freaky 6-foot-5 and 220-pound safety that’s all over the field. He plays as hard as he can and one cannot teach Williams’ physical traits either.

(Photo of Tyler Van Dyke: Sam Navarro - USA TODAY Sports)

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