After being a National Championship contender last season, Miami enters the 2018 season with high expectations.
In only two years coaching at his alma mater, Mark Richt is beginning to restore “The U” at the University of Miami. Following an 8-4 season with a win over West Virginia in the Russell Athletic Bowl in 2016, Miami was one of the top schools in the country in 2017.
The Hurricanes started out 10-0, climbing all the way to number two in the country, before falling to Pittsburgh. Miami would lose 38-3 in the ACC Championship Game to Clemson, losing out on a conference title, and 34-24 to No. 6 Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl. The team finished second in the ACC and was ranked No. 13 in the final AP and coaches’ polls.
Miami will be looking to replace five players drafted to the NFL: Running back Mark Walton, tight end Christopher Herndon IV, defensive tackle R.J. McIntosh, receiver Braxton Berrios, and defensive tackle Kendrick Norton. Walton led the team in yards per carry last year averaging 7.6 along with 428 yards. Herndon was the second-leading receiver with 40 catches for 477 yards and four touchdowns.
The most notable loss on offense is arguably Berrios, who led Miami in every major receiving statistic. Berrios had 55 receptions for 679 yards and nine touchdowns. McIntosh was the Canes’ best defensive lineman last year statistically. He had 52 tackles along with 2.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Norton was also productive, coming away with 26 tackles and two sacks.
Fortunately, the Hurricanes return plenty of talent to fill the voids left by their recent draft picks. Junior lineman Joe Jackson is expected to contribute heavily on the defensive line fresh off 50 tackles and 6.5 sacks last year. Another expected to fill in on the defensive line is Gerald Willis II.
Willis transferred from Florida after 2014 and played in nine games in 2016 after sitting out for a year due to NCAA transfer rules. He racked up 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks, but also battled an MCL injury in his knee during the season. After taking a leave of absence in 2017, Willis will look to contribute mightily on a defensive line looking to pick up where McIntosh, Norton, Trent Harris and Chad Thomas left off.
Offensively, Darrell Langham, Lawrence Cager and Ahmmon Richards are expected to replace the production from Berrios. Cager was the team’s fourth-leading receiver with 237 yards on 16 catches with three scores. Richards was third on the team in receiving yards with 439 last year along with three touchdowns. Langham had 209 yards and two touchdowns.
As far as replacing Herndon, the man Miami is looking to is Michael Irvin II, son of former Cane great and Cowboy legend Michael Irvin. Irvin had 9 catches for 78 yards in limited action last year but is expected to be the primary tight end for 2018.
The guy the country will have their eyes on the whole season is quarterback Malik Rosier. The redshirt senior threw for 3,120 yards, 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season. Unfortunately, Rosier stumbled down the stretch, throwing five interceptions in the final two games. Richt has shown faith in him, but Rosier will have to be more consistent as the season winds down if Miami is to take the next step.
While losing Walton is tough, Miami’s leading rusher is returning from 2017. Junior Travis Homer is expected to be a top running back in the ACC after rushing for 966 yards on 163 carries with eight touchdowns.
The team is also retaining some of their best defensive players who sported the famous “Turnover Chain” on multiple occasions. Senior defensive backs Jaquan Johnson and Michael Jackson each had four interceptions last year to lead the team. Johnson also led them in tackles with 96. The Canes also have all of their starting linebackers returning: juniors Shaquille Quarterman, Michael Pinckney, and Sheldrick Redwine. The group was responsible for three Miami interceptions in 2017 and 5.5 total sacks.
If Rosier can match his level of production through the air and Homer can contribute once again on the ground, Miami’s passing and running game could be their biggest strength. However, Berrios and Herndon were the team’s go-to-receivers last year and accounted for half of their offensive production in the passing game. It is questionable if this new group can match it.
Arguably the best defense in the country last year returns their starting linebacking corp and secondary. Like last season, these two units will be the strength of a defense looking to continue their dominance in the turnover margin. The defensive line is losing the most from 2017. While Miami has talent waiting in the wings, it remains to be seen if Willis, Demetrius Jackson, and Pat Bethel can match what McIntosh, Norton, Thomas and Harris brought.
Miami Best-Case Scenario
Richt and the Canes pick up right where they left off with an outstanding defense and good play from Malik Rosier, leading to another season with National Championship aspirations.e
- Sept. 2 vs. LSU (AT&T Stadium) – W
- Sept. 8 vs. Savannah State – W
- Sept15 at Toledo – W
- Sept. 22 vs. FIU – W
- Sept27 vs. North Carolina – W
- Oct. 6 vs. Florida State – W
- Oct. 13 at Virginia – W
- Oct. 26 at Boston College – W
- Nov. 3 vs. Duke – W
- Nov. 10 at Georgia Tech – W
- Nov.17 at Virginia Tech – W
- Nov. 24 vs. Pittsburgh – W
12-0, 8-0 in ACC play and earns a berth against Clemson in the ACC Championship Game with a spot in the College Football Playoff hanging in the balance.
Worst-Case Scenario
The worst-case scenario sees the Canes stumble out of the gates and falls to LSU and that lingers into the ACC portion of the schedule where they get tripped up at home vs. rival Florida State and fall at Virginia Tech the week before Thanksgiving that could keep them out of the ACC Championship Game.
- Sept. 2 vs. LSU (AT&T Stadium) – L
- Sept. 8 vs. Savannah State – W
- Sept15 at Toledo – W
- Sept. 22 vs. FIU – W
- Sept27 vs. North Carolina – W
- Oct. 6 vs. Florida State – L
- Oct. 13 at Virginia – W
- Oct. 26 at Boston College – W
- Nov. 3 vs. Duke – W
- Nov. 10 at Georgia Tech – W
- Nov.17 at Virginia Tech – L
- Nov. 24 vs. Pittsburgh – W
9-3, 6-2 in ACC play and miss the ACCCG.