I cannot fucking wait for this game tonight. I go hard for every single Miami Hurricanes football game, but we haven’t played a significant game since we played the Gators to kickoff the 2019 season. This is also arguably the biggest game of Manny Diaz’ head coaching tenure, after the disastrous end to last season. The line in Vegas yesterday was Miami +2.5 and it’s now Miami -1 today, so people must be hammering the Canes. Last year we destroyed the Cardinals and hung a 50 burger on them, but they are a much better team this year.

Their defense was terrible last year with first year Defensive Coordinator Bryan Brown. They still won’t be elite on that side of the ball by any means, but I have to think they’ll at least be somewhat improved. However, their offense is explosive af. Redshirt Junior QB Micale Cunningham is a baller. In 2019 he set the school record for passing efficiency with 194.45. He was up there stat wise with the best QB’s in the nation:

He doesn’t run that often, but he can definitely beat you with his legs when needed. The other playmaker that the Cardinals have on offense is Tutu Atwell, who is electric to say the least. Last year, he led the ACC in both receiving yards and TD’s with 1,276 and 12, and averaged 98 yards per game. He’s also from Miami, so you know he’s going to want to show out. Besides Tutu, the Cards also have other formidable receivers in Braden Smith & Dez Fitzpatrick who each recorded 110 yards last week against Western Kentucky. Louisville also has Javian Hawkins at RB who was 7th in the nation last year in rushing and broke the school record. The Canes defense will have their hands full to say the least, but it’s a great matchup of strength versus strength. I’ll be looking at how the Miami corners fare against the talented Cards WR’s, especially DJ Ivey versus Atwell. Ivey has struggled since becoming the starter in 2019 and he still showed mistakes during last week’s win against UAB.

The Canes are now also down to only 5 corners on scholarship, after sophomore Christian Williams decided to leave the program earlier this week. Look out for Te’Cory Couch to be playing in some big time situations. Another matchup that I’m looking forward to on that side of the ball is our DLine versus their OL. Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche are absolute monsters who could toss around their undersized offensive lineman.

For the Canes offense, I look for them to open it up more, as they didn’t show their full hand versus UAB last week. D’Eriq King will ball out, but he needs to improve on his deep ball accuracy and to tuck it and run more when theres open field to gash them.

The Canes RB’s will handle their business, with Cam Harris, Jaylon ‘Rooster’ Knighton, and Don Chaney in the stable. One key to focus on with the Canes OL is Jakai Clark taking over at starting Left Guard.

Overall, I see this as a close game in the first half, with the Canes pulling away in the second half. Manny Diaz is a great halftime adjuster. Who will be the first to wear the new Turnover Chain in 2020?

PREDICTION: Hurricanes 38-27

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