Yesterday, Twitter reacted as the Big Ten dropped networks and start times for many of its games in the first few weeks. While that information has been available for Miami’s first four games for quite some time, it got me to thinking about TV scheduling and if Miami would have a chance in the national spotlight in 2014. Last year, the Hurricanes trip to Tallahassee was promoted non-stop for a week by ESPN and drew primetime billing on Saturday Night Football, with ESPN’s College GameDay also making the trip. Is there a game on the schedule this year that could receive that kind of treatment?
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Before we get there, here’s what we do know: the Hurricanes will get national, primetime exposure in at least three games this year. On Labor Day, Miami and Louisville will be the only game on the docket, kicking off in primetime on ESPN. Three weeks later, the Hurricanes travel to Lincoln to take on Nebraska in primetime on ABC, ESPN or ESPN2. Miami will also have a Thursday night slot on ESPN in primetime against Virginia Tech on October 23.
But is it possible for the Hurricanes to get the full Saturday Night Football and College GameDay treatment in 2014? While it’s not overwhelmingly likely, yes, it definitely is possible. Here are the three dates it could happen:
The Most Likely Possibility: vs. Florida State, November 15
Nov 2, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Devonta Freeman (8) carries against Miami Hurricanes defensive back Ladarius Gunter (37) during the third quarter at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Florida State Seminoles defeated the Miami Hurricanes 41-14. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY SportsFlorida State at Miami, November 15
Why it could happen: This is a premier rivalry in college football and—as we saw last year—ESPN is eager to jump on it when both teams are nationally relevant. This year’s rendition of the game is far later in the season that 2013’s contest, so it’s not very likely Miami will still be undefeated. However, FSU easily could be in the mix for a second straight national championship with the Hurricanes looking to play spoiler against their hated rival. Add to the fact that the other nationally relevant games that week aren’t necessarily scorchers and that GameDay hasn’t visited Miami since it posted up at the Orange Bowl in 2000 and this is definitely Miami’s best shot to see GameDay in 2014. Finally, while there could be a pretty high-stakes SEC game the same day (see below), CBS would likely carry it, so ESPN may stray away from sending GameDay to promote another network’s game.
Why it could not happen: Unfortunately, there isn’t really a great place for ESPN to put the GameDay set. Whether ESPN chose to put it on campus—Foote Green right in front of Richter would have to be the spot, right?—or, probably more likely, in front of Sun Life Stadium, there would be some logistical problems. (The caveat to this is that GameDay has set up on campus at Boston College and Northwestern, two similarly-sized schools also in the suburbs of major cities with far less football tradition. If it can be done for them, it can be done for Miami.) The more likely reason it wouldn’t happen is if Florida State dropped a game or two before coming to South Florida, taking major shine off of this game.
Other potentially relevant games that day: Oklahoma at Texas Tech, Texas at Oklahoma State, Nebraska at Wisconsin, Washington at Arizona, Auburn at Georgia, South Carolina at Florida, Missouri at Texas A&M
Possible, But Not Very Likely: at Nebraska, September 20
Nov 16, 2013; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Imani Cross (32) celebrates his touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Michigan State won 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Why it could happen: While it’s not very relevant anymore, Nebraska and Miami was once a tremendous rivalry on top of the college football world, the two foes battling for national championships on the stage of the Orange Bowl. There’s plenty of juicy tape ESPN could dig up for features on those classic games. Nebraska should be undefeated going in, as their only challenging game is on the road the previous week against a Fresno State team that lost Derrick Carr to graduation and the NFL. If Miami can beat Louisville, they would also be a near lock to be undefeated at this point. The game is also already locked into primetime on one of the ESPN networks.
Why it could not happen: There are two reasons, and both are going to be very difficult to overcome. First, this just isn’t as enticing of a matchup as it used to be. While Nebraska appears improved from 2013, the Cornhuskers are still trying to find their footing since spurning the Big 12 to cash out with Jim Delaney and the Big Ten. Miami’s recent program struggles have been chronicled as well. But here’s the main reason: Clemson travels to Florida State and Alabama hosts Florida the same day. While Florida was 4-8 last year, that’s a battle between two traditional SEC powers with huge fan bases that would draw wild ratings. There would have to be a couple of major upsets that shake the college football world in the first three weeks for Miami-Nebraska to get top-billing over one of these two contests. I suppose it’s possible a handful of things could fall into place—in Week 1, Clemson plays a Georgia team bent on revenge from last year’s loss and Florida State plays an offensively-explosive Oklahoma State outfit; the Florida-Alabama game could end up on CBS and ESPN could push Miami-Nebraska into the spotlight to compete for eyeballs in a game they have the rights to anyway. It’s just not likely. Additionally, if Miami or Nebraska were to lose before this game, you could definitively kiss any chance of GameDay goodbye.
Other potentially relevant games that day: Clemson at Florida State, Florida at Alabama, Oklahoma at West Virginia
The Dark Horse: vs. North Carolina, November 1
Oct 17, 2013; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Stephen Morris (17) looks to pass as North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Norkeithus Otis (8) defends. The Miami Hurricanes defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 27-23 at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Why it could happen: I realize you’re probably laughing at this entry and I can’t blame you. I’m not saying this has a very good chance of happening, but it’s possible if things go a certain way. North Carolina was one of the unluckier teams in the ACC in 2013 and is expected to be much improved this go around. Because North Carolina-Miami doesn’t exactly scream primetime college football matchup—although the two teams did produce a thrilling, if sloppy, Thursday night affair in 2013—both teams would have to be undefeated going in. This isn’t particularly likely, but it’s not impossible either. North Carolina would have to win at Clemson and Notre Dame and hold off Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech at home, while Miami would have to win at Louisville, Nebraska, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech while picking up home wins against Duke and Cincinnati. I realize that’s a lot of results that are a coin flip at best going a certain way, but if both teams were somehow able to run those gauntlets, this game would be firmly in the running for GameDay. While including this game will probably just result in Juan making fun of me in a few months, you heard it here first!
Why it could not happen: Go back and read those gauntlets both teams would have to emerge from unscathed again. Of the three Miami games that could potentially draw GameDay, this is obviously the least likely. Also, the potential issues of where ESPN could set up the show I mentioned earlier apply here. There are also a couple games that will be difficult to beat in terms of national interest—again, both UNC and Miami would definitely have to be undefeated. Oregon at Stanford stands out as the clear favorite to host GameDay that week, with the annual Georgia-Florida rivalry another contender if the Gators have a bounce-back year. However, that SEC game would undoubtedly be on CBS.
Other potentially relevant games that day: Stanford at Oregon, Florida vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville), Auburn at Mississippi
You can find the full 2014 Miami schedule here from our friends at Bleacher Report.