We’re in peak offseason mode for the Syracuse Orange. But that won’t stop us (me) from talking about football as much as possible. For the next couple months, we’ll be diving into each of SU’s 12 (very difficult) opponents and all you’ll need to know about them. Despite the challenges of the schedule, we’re going to be positive wherever possible. Today’s team:
Miami Hurricanes
School: University of Miami
Mascot: Hurricanes
#BRAND Slogan: “It’s All About the U”
Alternate #BRAND Slogan Suggestions: "U Wouldn’t Believe How Many ACC Football Championship Games We’ve Played In.” “Al Golden Wuz Here.”
Recommended Blog: State of the U
Conference: ACC
Coach: Mark Richt, 2nd year. After a successful career as a quarterback with the ‘Canes from 1979-82, Richt ended up a graduate assistant for rival Florida State, where he coached from 1985-88. He left for one year to be East Carolina’s offensive coordinator in 1989, then headed right back to the ‘Noles, where he served as OC under Bobby Bowden for a decade after.
After FSU, Richt got the Georgia head coaching job, and found pretty immediate success as both a leader and fundraiser for the Bulldogs. UGA finished third in the polls and won the Sugar Bowl in just his second year, then finished in the top 10 in each of the next three seasons. Georgia finished top-five again in 2007, as well as 2012.
Despite all of the success, fans got restless with diminishing returns in the back half of his tenure, as Florida, South Carolina and Missouri grabbed division titles instead. UGA finished ninth in 2014 but frustration finally led to Richt’s release after a 9-3 regular season in 2015. The impressive head coach and his 145-51 W-L record headed back to his alma mater last offseason.
2016 Record: (9-4) (5-3)
Recapping Last Season:
Miami was an impressive group in 2016, with the season’s shortcoming really just zeroed in on a four-game stretch in October. After starting 4-0, the Hurricanes lost four in a row to Florida State (by one), North Carolina (by seven), Virginia Tech (a blowout) and Notre Dame (by three). They beat every remaining opponent by at least a couple touchdowns, including a resounding 17-point victory over West Virginia in Russell Athletic Bowl.
While the ‘Canes had plenty of offensive weapons, it was the defense that really powered the team to greater heights in 2016, however. The team was top-20 in terms of yards per game allowed, and 12th overall in points per game allowed (18.5). Just three opponents amassed more than 21 points against them, and UM impressively let up just 10 rushing touchdowns on the season. Opponents’ 3.43 yards per carry against the Miami front was also among the top marks in the country.
That said, the offense was still plenty impressive as well. The Hurricanes scored 34 points per game, and a very efficient 6.43 yards per play (25th overall). Most of that production was fueled by the passing game, led by Brad Kaaya, who’s now with the NFL’s Detroit Lions. As a junior last year, he threw for over 3,500 yards, with 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Miami spread the ball around pretty well too, with three different players hitting 698 receiving yards or more.
2017 Season Outlook:
For starters, Kaaya’s gone, which automatically casts at least a few question marks on just how much more Miami can stand to improve this season. The 2016 run game was in the bottom third of the country in terms of overall production — though thousand-yard rusher Mark Walton’s back, and the running backs did average over 4.5 yards per carry last year. The entire offensive line’s back as well, so it stands to reason the team will get more production out of the rushing attack this fall.
Defensively, the U brings back nearly all of the front seven -- which was already a strength, and should continue to be one in 2017. Miami had 108 tackles for loss last year -- eighth in the country -- and most of the leading producers there were underclassmen. Freshmen like Joe Jackson and Shaquille Quarterman are only going to improve, and project to be all-conference talents. This team won’t necessarily force a ton of turnovers, especially as they replace a large portion of the secondary. But the pieces are there for a very special year on this side of the ball.
The schedule also largely cooperates for a potential run at a first-ever Coastal Division title. Following a mid-September road game at Florida State, Miami has pretty smooth sailing until a late October matchup with North Carolina at Chapel Hill. If the ‘Canes can win two of three between that contest and games vs. Virginia Tech and Notre Dame the next two weeks, the division could be theirs.
Syracuse Game Date: Saturday, October 21
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
Odds of Orange Victory: 25 percent
Very Early Outlook:
I’ve seen a lot of chatter about this game looking like a Syracuse upset, and while Kaaya’s absence lends some credence to those thoughts, this defense is no pushover. In fact, it’s one of the best defenses the Orange face all season. A road game after facing Clemson isn’t ideal (even if given an extra day here), and if Syracuse is starting to share some wear and tear, this could be the breaking point. The stress will be on the offensive line to really protect Dungey and make room for the running game. That was a struggle more often than not in 2016. They’ll need to be a WHOLE lot better if an SU upset can be realistically entertained this fall.