The Irish will face a rejuvenated Miami Hurricanes team on Oct. 29 with the benefit of coming off a bye week.
Why the Rejuvenation at Miami?
It is difficult to believe that Miami is just 40-40 in ACC play since 2006 and they are 0-6 in bowl games since 2008. A program that once featured dynamic players, big wins, and high NFL draft picks has been a model of inconsistency in the last decade. One of the major reasons for that is the relative revolving door of coaches in the last 15 years. From Larry Coker to Al Golden, the stays have been short and results – in the case of Golden and Randy Shannon – lacking. Enter Mark Richt. Over the past 15 years in Georgia, Richt averaged 9.7 wins per season – a symbol of consistency. Add to the mix that Richt is a Miami alum and you have the potential for success almost immediately. Keep in mind with all the turmoil in Miami last season, the ‘Canes still managed 8 wins.
Solid Play at Quarterback and Plenty of Returnees
Credit: Miami Herald
Miami returns a solid starting quarterback in Brad Kaaya. Kaaya threw for 3,238 yards last season and fired 16 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions. He is already projected by many as a top 10 pick in next year’s NFL Draft. The Hurricanes also return a 1,000 yard rusher in Joseph Yearby, their top receiver in Stacy Coley, and their entire offensive line. The defense presents more of a challenge as they will shifting from a 3-4 to 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. Though they return seven starters on defense, they finished just 69th nationally in total defense last year. Overall, the Hurricanes return 17 starters and their kicker and punter which has helped to fuel the optimism some have heading into 2016.
The Series and Miami
The series, which dates back to 1955, has been largely dominated by the Irish as they hold a 17-7 advantage. The most recent contest in the 2012 Shamrock series featured a 41-3 Notre Dame victory. Perhaps no games in this series will ever match the intensity and hatred of the match-ups in the late 1980s and early 1990s when both teams dominated the landscape of the college football. Still Notre Dame and Miami is always special – at least to this author.
The Experts’ Outlook for Miami
Sporting News has projected Miami to finish second in the ACC Coastal Division. They also have them playing in the Music City Bowl vs. Arkansas. Given the success that Richt has sustained over his career, this seems plausible. It would not shock me at all to see the Hurricanes play for the ACC championship.
Cody Brown, writing for the university’s student newspaper, believes the Hurricanes will finish either 9-3 or 10-2 and also suggested an appearance in the ACC title game is a realistic possibility.
Travis Haney of ESPN has Miami losing to Clemson in the ACC Championship game. Phil Steele, one of college football’s resident experts, has the Hurricanes finishing in the top 20 at #19.
Regardless of the experts, a game that seemed a virtual gimme in the disarray of the Al Golden era, now becomes one to circle in red as a Hurricane warning on October 29th.
- Restoring Faith in College Athletics - April 3, 2018
- Notre Dame and the Citrus Bowl…Heck Yeah! - December 6, 2017
- Looking for Answers in Another November Meltdown - November 27, 2017
