5 college football teams that will be a lot better than you think in 2020

5. Miami Hurricanes: FanSided offseason ranking – No. 36

The Canes did nothing last season to produce confidence after a season that had disappointments come from the very beginning and seem never-ending. They started the season with a close loss to the Florida Gators, then ended the regular season with a loss to the FIU Panthers. They literally lost to a team most people probably don’t even know is in Miami simply because of “The U”.

Do you remember everything Miami dealt with last season? Mark Richt unexpectedly retired immediately after the 2018 season. They brought in major transfer Tate Martell from Ohio State. He was expected to start from day one, but he was immediately beaten out by Jarren Williams. Even the backup was given to N’Kosi Perry. That left a weird aura around the team.

Now, the Hurricanes have welcomed transfer, D’Eriq King. He’s one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. His skill was wasted by Dana Holgersen in Houston, and he’s in a much better place for his career in Miami.

Manny Diaz has one more year under his belt as part of a big program. He’s a really good coach that did his best with an impossible situation, but there were crucial mistakes a coach might not make in his second year at a program. I see the Hurricanes going back to a Top 25 team this season and see them spending parts of the season in the Top 15.

Their schedule, which includes an opening game against the Temple Owls, Diaz’s former team, and Michigan State, who will have some growing pains in the beginning, sets up for a good season. Then, they get to avoid Clemson in ACC play and I expect down years from Virginia and Florida State (again).

Seemingly half the Miami roster is a four or five-star recruit at one point in their career. You wouldn’t expect that, but it’s true. That will lead Miami to an unforgettable season that will lead them into the next era of great teams.