Miami Hurricanes 2020 College Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Miami Hurricanes 2020 College Football Preview

2019 Recap

Record – 6-7

ATS – 6-7

Well, that wasn’t good.

YOUR Miami Hurricanes started the Manny Diaz era with a FIZZLE finishing with a losing record and a small handful of embarrassing losses. Sure, this isn’t the Miami program of yesteryear, but losing to Georgia Tech at home? Getting beat by FIU? Getting shutout by Louisiana Tech? GOOD GRAVY. That was ugly.

There’s hope on the horizon. Miami landed some interesting additions and should be an improved squad in 2020. Let’s go!

2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

ACC – #7

<Note: In 2020, the top two teams in the ACC advance to the conference title game regardless of division. That includes Notre Dame.>

Miami Hurricanes 2020 Outlook

OFFENSE

The Hurricanes wasted a fine performance from the defense (more on that below) with one of the most disgusting and revolting displays of offense we have seen from this program. They finished the campaign ranked #12 in the ACC in total offense and DEAD LAST in rushing offense. The best part? They allowed 51 sacks which was the worst in the country unless you count Akron and Old Dominion.

There’s reason to be hopeful! QB D’Eriq King is one of the most dynamic signal callers in the nation and he’ll play his final season with the Hurricanes after doing great work with the Houston Cougars. In King’s last full season with the COUGS he put up some phenomenal numbers (36-6 TD to INT, 14 rushing TD) and he finally <crosses fingers> brings some legitimacy to the QB situation. N’Kosi Perry provides depth under center. #1 RB (and leader) DeeJay Dallas will be missed and the hope is that Cam’Ron Harris can emerge into a legit number one back. Also keep an eye on the true freshmen in the RB room. One of them (Jaylan Knighton, Donald Chaney Jr.) could be a SURPRISE PACKAGE. TE Brevin Jordan is a potential star and he had the most receiving yards LY of any returning player on the roster (495). You’d like to think that Miami could cobble together a decent WR group but it’s unclear how much talent they have on board. Thankfully, ace OC Rhett Lashlee could be just the tonic the offense needs. He did great work at SMU and the move to a spread concept can’t hurt. The yuuuuge concern is an offensive line that was just wretched last year. Four starters return so maybe they’ll improve? That can’t do much worse. The mobility and experience of King should help quite a bit.

It’s obvious that we’ll see improvement. How much? That remains to be seen. Our models developed by DEEP ACC INSIDERS forecast them finishing just inside the top-half of the conference in total offense, assuming that they get a full season out of King.

DEFENSE

The defense had to do a lot of heavy lifting due to the impotent offense and still managed to post some fine statistics (#2 ACC in scoring D, #2 rushing D, #2 total D, #4 pass efficiency D) and it’s worth noting that they bagged 46 sacks (#T7 FBS) whilst finishing #4 in the country in TFL/game.

The Canes lose four of their top-six tacklers from a season ago BUT have one of the best-looking defensive lines in college football. At least from a pass-rushing perspective. DE Gregory Rousseau had a great freshman campaign and booked 15.5 sacks which placed him 2nd in the country next to some dude named Chase Young. DE Quincy Roche bagged 13 (!) sacks with Temple last year and is an excellent addition. The LB group was fantastic LY but lose a LOT of experience and production including last year’s leading tackler Shaquille Quarterman. The secondary returns just a pair of starters but the Canes always seem to play good pass defense (top-5 ACC in pass efficiency D every year since 2013). The strong defensive line will definitely help.

The D might be down a notch due to inexperience in the back-seven but there’s definitely upside potential given the athletes that Diaz and company have on hand.

SPECIAL TEAMS

“The field goal attempt is up, annnnnd they miss again.”

“Hard to believe they missed another one, Chuck.”

The Hurricanes field goal kicking was atrocious LY (12/20) but help is on the way. Senior transfer Jose Borregales should be an upgrade (21/29, 14/19, 15/18 L3Y) but you never know with Miami placekickers. The Canes were solid on punt returns LY (#10 FBS) but lose both men from LY (Osborn, Thomas).

Schedule Analysis

Overall – Things are not gonna be easy in non-conference play as their only opponent is the NASTY UAB Blazers. Don’t sleep on that squad, yo. The ACC schedule is difficult and now they have to face Clemson on the road. The first four games vs conference opponents will test them in a big way (at Louisville, Florida St, at Clemson, Pitt). November doesn’t look too bad other than the season finale vs UNC.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Pittsburgh (October 17th)

This games comes after a pair of emotional games (Seminoles, Tigers; bye sprinkled in there) and Pitt will fight you from start to finish. Don’t think we’ll be on the home favorite in this spot.

Season Win Total

Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.

MEGALOCKS says:

Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.

Our initial projection puts the fair number at something close to Over 7.5 -110, Under 7.5 -110.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Miami had an NCAA record 14 consecutive years with an NFL first round draft pick and they also hold the record for most first round picks in one draft (6, 2004).

MEGALOCKS Outlook:

Miami looks like one of the major players in the second tier of the conference pecking order behind Clemson. QB D’Eriq King provides a massive upgrade at the most important position but it definitely hurts to lose Rousseau at DE. If top-notch performers emerge in the back seven of the defense they’ll be mighty dangerous. They need to survive the tough opening stretch of the schedule and get hot in November.

Go Canes!

Want more Miami Hurricanes football ?

WEBSITE

https://hurricanesports.com/sports/football

FORUM

https://www.canesinsight.com/forums/eye-in-the-sky.9/

http://www.miami-hurricanes.com/forum/tt.asp?appid=1

http://miami.247sports.com/Board/Miami-Hurricanes-Message-Board-Forum-92

https://miami.forums.rivals.com/forums/gary-fermans-war-room.12/

NEWS

http://www.stateoftheu.com/

http://miami.247sports.com/