Countdown to Kickoff Day 20: #31 Miami Hurricanes

Happy Friday people. You know the drill by now, on Fridays we make them short and sweet. I do not want y’all doing too much reading ever, but especially on Fridays. Today we have the Miami Hurricanes coming in at #31 on our countdown to kickoff.

Sorry Hurricane fans, but Miami is not ready to contend for the top of the ACC. This team took the two ACC divisions merging the hardest. They could have snuck into the ACC Championship MAYBE if they were still in the Coastal where UNC would be their biggest threat, but now that it's every man for themselves, they don’t have much of a chance.

In his debut at Miami, Mario Cristobal had a 5-7 season, which is far worse than anyone was hoping for. I expect this year to go better with a healthy Tyler Van Dyke under center, but they won’t rise to the top by any means. I like this team to go to a bowl this year and make massive improvements on both sides of the ball, but with FSU, Clemson, Texas A&M, and having to visit UNC and NCST, I do not like their chances of cracking the top 25.

Best Case: Van Dyke has a solid season and carries this team to 9 victories. The defense improves and learns how to play as a unit as the year goes on, and the hurricane faithful are ready to make a run for the top spot in the ACC in 2024

Worst Case: Miami OC Shannon Dawson and Van Dyke never find a rhythm and the defense lets up just as many or more big plays as they did last year because new DC Lance Guirdy, is having to coach a defense that is packed with transfers that is not familiar with his style. 6 wins.

Prediction: I think we meet in the middle and call a 7-5 or 8-4 season for the Hurricanes. Solid season with a glimpse at what is to come for them in the coming seasons.

How Many Games Will Miami Win In 2023

• 8 or more
• 7 or less