Miami Hurricanes 2017 NCAA Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Miami Hurricanes 2017 NCAA Football Preview

2016 Recap

2016 Record – 9-4

2016 ATS – 9-4

There is no doubt. Year one of the Mark Richt experiment was a yuuuge success. The Hurricanes managed to finish with a 5-game winning streak topped off with a bowl win over a very good West Virginia team in the Russell Athletic Bowl (a 54237492438038 star MEGALOCKS STEAM play winner). Miami had a 4-game losing streak mid-season but those losses were against decent competition (Florida St, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame) and only one of those boo-boos was a defeat by more than a TD.

2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

Coastal Division – #1

Atlantic Coast Conference – To be determined

OFFENSE

We might as well deal with the elephant in the room straight away. The Hurricanes will be without their all-time leading passer (Brad Kaaya – 9,968) this season and QB is by far their biggest question mark heading into 2017. Malik Rozier may be fine (one start – 2015). They are really high on the potential of freshman N’Kosi Perry. However, the harsh reality is that nobody really knows what to expect, particularly early on in the campaign. Facing Florida St on the road in week 3 is going to be difficult (HOT TAKE) without some certainty at QB.

The good news for Miami is that they have a really good and experienced offensive line returning in 2017. That will enable the Hurricanes to protect their QB and focus on running the football. Mark Walton ran for over 1,100 yards and 14 TDs last season while also catching 27 balls out of the backfield. The ability to run the football will enable the Canes to utilize their speed at WR and an underrated TE in Chris Herndon (11.9 YPC 2016).

JUGGERNAUT ALERT – In 2016, WR Ahmmon Richards broke the Miami freshman receiving yards record held by some dude named Michael Irvin. Richards averaged almost 20 yards a reception, and while there is still some uncertainty at QB, he figures to have a legit shot at cracking 1,000 yards this season.

DEFENSE

Yes sir. Some great news here. Miami played solid defense last season and only allowed 18.5 points per game (2016 – 28.2). They return eight starters on defense including the entire starting DL and LB corps from 2016. The positive contribution from the coaches on the defense side of the ball including Manny Diaz (DC) and Craig Kuligowski cannot be understated. The Hurricanes finished the 2016 campaign ranked #20 in total defense and figure to be better this season.

There were some significant losses in the secondary including 1st Team ACC CB Corn Elder. However, MEGALOCKS Ultra Premium members know that we believe a solid and experienced front seven can make up for inexperience in the secondary. The Hurricanes were outstanding at getting PENETRATION in 2016 (37 sacks, 108 TFL) and will be a handful once again.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Hurricanes return their excellent PK Michael Badgley and have one of the best special teams units in the ACC. PR Brandon Berrios averaged over 11 yards per return. The biggest concern is the introduction of a new punter but FR Zach Feagles was a highly recruited specimen and has excellent pedigree. Miami blocked five kicks last season and they have the minerals to do that again in 2017.

Potential ATS Trouble Spots

September 23 – TOLEDO. Florida St / Duke (ACC) sandwich.

November 18 – VIRGINIA. Comes after a 3-game stretch vs North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

The Hurricanes have never appeared in the ACC Title game. (Wut ?)

Miami outscored opponents 236-100 in the 2nd half (+136 vs +69 in first half). #coaching

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 6.0

MEGALOCKS says:

Overall, we give the HURRICANES a 6.0 ATS Value Rating (Above Average) this season.

Love them or hate them – our staff LOVES them – there is little doubt that this is a program on the rise. Can they achieve the consistent excellence of Clemson and Florida St ? Time will tell. No doubt, that is a tall order. At least they are on the right track. Miami has been a non-factor on the national scene for a long time. It will be interesting to see if they can build on the momentum from last season. The program is full of confidence and there have been some nice wins on the recruiting front.

The Hurricanes are going to be on most handicappers’ radar this season – BUT – the uncertainty at QB may keep some bettors away. We always love to focus on teams that play great defense.

We recommend taking a cautious approach with Miami early in the season. Any team with a solid running game and an excellent defense has to be respected on most occasions. Be patient, grasshoppers. We may have to wait for solid plays against the number, but over the course of a long season, we are confident that they will emerge.

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