Pitt didn't really have a huge motivation to play that hard against Miami as they were going to the ACC champ game and a bowl already. Miami played like they were jealous of Pitt winning the Coastal and if they played that hard all season, they would have won the Coastal and maybe more. But that's why Georgia got rid of Richt if I recall, no intensity.
And Miami had revenge on their minds after Pitt upset them at Heinz last season.