The Miami Hurricanes are off this week, resting and recuperating from the first half of the season. Miami is 6-0 and ranked sixth in the nation after a stellar first half.
UM’s schedule looks manageable for the second half, and the Hurricanes could take advantage of it and make the ACC title game and the College Football Playoff.
Here is a game-by-game look at Miami’s remaining schedule:
Oct. 19: at Louisville (3-2, 1-1 in ACC)
The Cardinals are Miami’s next opponent. They were ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll until this week following a loss to SMU, and they also have a loss to Notre Dame. But Louisville is a solid opponent. Despite the two losses, Pro Football Focus gives the Cardinals a 93 overall grade, which is 12th in the nation.
Louisville features journeyman quarterback Tyler Shough, who previously played for Miami coach Mario Cristobal at Oregon. Shough has 1,443 passing yards and 13 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Running back Isaac Brown is also a ground threat, averaging 9.3 yards per carry. Transfer wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks, a Miami native, has been one of the ACC’s top receivers this year. Louisville is 20th in the nation in points per game.
The Cardinals defense is also potent. Led by defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte, a Boca Raton High alum, Louisville has the No. 5 run defense in the nation, according to PFF. They are surrendering about 114 rushing yards per game.
Oct. 26: vs. Florida State (1-5, 1-4)
The Seminoles’ struggles have been well-documented. The reigning ACC champions have had a dismal start to the season.
FSU’s offense has been atrocious. It currently ranks 128th in the nation — tied with Kent State. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei missed Florida State’s loss against Clemson last Saturday with an injury, which could keep him out vs. Miami, as well, but backup Brock Glenn did not spark the offense against the Tigers.
The Seminoles defense has outplayed the offense, but that is not saying much. FSU is ranked 81st in the nation, giving up about 25 points per game.
Nov. 2: vs. Duke (5-1, 1-1)
This game has an interesting storyline as first-year Duke coach Manny Diaz comes back to his old stomping grounds three years after UM fired him so it could hire Cristobal.
Diaz has the Blue Devils playing well. They won their first five games before falling to Georgia Tech last week.
Diaz’s defense has performed well so far. The Blue Devils are 23rd in the nation in points allowed per game and are 26th in defensive grade, according to PFF. The offense, however, is 88th in the nation. Despite that, running back Star Thomas has been one of the conference’s top rushers this year.
Nov. 9: at Georgia Tech (4-2, 2-2)
The Yellow Jackets surprised the college football world in Week 0 by beating Florida State in Ireland. In hindsight, it’s a less impressive win. But Georgia Tech is still a solid team despite losses to Syracuse and Louisville.
The duo of quarterback Haynes King and Jamal Haynes are potential playmakers on the offense. The Yellow Jackets have the No. 51 offense in the nation, averaging 31.5 points per game.
Like Louisville, the Yellow Jacket have a solid run defense, allowing only 87.5 rushing yards per game (11th in the nation). However, they are vulnerable to strong passing attacks, ranking 83rd against the pass.
Nov. 23: vs. Wake Forest (2-3, 1-1)
Wake Forest may be the weakest team remaining on Miami’s schedule. The Demon Deacons’ wins came against North Carolina A&T and a struggling N.C. State, and they have lost to Ole Miss, Virginia and Louisiana.
Wake Forest has the No. 59 offense in the nation but the 105th defense. Like Georgia Tech, the Demon Deacons struggle against the pass; they currently have the No. 127 pass defense in the nation. That weak secondary makes Wake Forest vulnerable to quarterbacks like Cam Ward.
Nov. 30: at Syracuse (4-1, 1-1)
Want to talk about a trap game? This could be it.
If everything goes right for the Hurricanes, they could be undefeated entering the final game of the season with the ACC title game and the College Football Playoff on the horizon. Miami has won its past six games against Syracuse. But this year’s Orange squad is tough.
Syracuse has taken down Georgia Tech and a previously ranked UNLV team already. Ohio State quarterback transfer Kyle McCord is second in the conference in passing yards and passing touchdowns, leading the Orange to the No. 26 offense in the nation. Tight end Oronde Gadsden II, an American Heritage alum, is one of the best tight ends in the conference.
However, Syracuse is 87th in defense, making it vulnerable to Miami’s offense, which is currently second in the nation.