Game day is back for Miami football, and this week features the Hurricanes taking on the Louisville Cardinals. College GameDay will be in attendance for this primetime 7:30 p.m. ET matchup.Fans will see explosive quarterbacks and a Miami defense with a lot to prove. What’s it going to take for the Hurricanes to storm out of Kentucky with a win?
D’Eriq King makes ACC debut
Let’s start with the offensive side of the ball. I’m excited to see how this offense gets going this season and what a better way to start things than with a win against a conference opponent early on.
UAB was a warmup for quarterback D’Eriq King, but I’m curious to see how he’ll do in the road. Some say King is the best QB Miami has had in a long time, and I want to see how King utilizes his pieces around him. Miami has a ton of talent and is very capable of taking the top off of this Louisville defense in with wide receivers Dee Wiggins and Mike Harley, who both had explosive plays against this defense last season. I’m also excited to see the production from tight ends Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory. Jordan finished last week’s game with three receptions, 51 yards and one touchdown.
Running game must produce
This offense also features an underrated backfield capable of making some noise around the country with a solid game this Saturday. Running back Cam Harris comes off a 134-yard, two touchdown game last week, which again was to me a warmup for what’s to come. I think if you’re offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, you feed this young man for four quarters straight. Harris is a downhill runner with the ability to punish defenders with every carry and doesn’t lack the speed to separate as well.
Harris is also accompanied by two freshmen Miami hopes can complement him in the run game. Jaylon Knighton and Don Chaney Jr. both saw action against UAB, both finishing with over six yards per carry. Both drawing high praise from their coaches and teammates, this game could help solidify these two into the offensive scheme along Harris. Last but not least, this offense is going to need help from its offensive line. King was sacked twice last week, yet still was able to stay poised in the pocket and deliver the ball effectively.
Prediction
Miami is going to need to be in sync and in tune this week. The expectations are high for No 17 taking on No. 18 Saturday night. King will get this offense off to a fast start and keep it moving to win his first ACC game. If the defense and special teams can go four quarters limiting mistakes, I got the canes coming out with a 27- 20 victory.
The stage is set, now let the games begin.
