What is Yahoo Sports Saying About No. 21 Miami Hurricanes?
Yahoo Sports Dr. Saturday Blog ranks the Miami Hurricanes 21st in their 2017 Rankings. The site examined what Miami’s upcoming season might look like.
Yahoo started out by examing the three biggest things to know about Miami. They came up with the quarterback race, the defense being among the nation’s best and Miami’s favorable schedule.
When examining the Quarterback race, Yahoo speculated that former quarterback Brad Kaaya should have stayed for his Senior season. They next asked who the quarterback will be this season.
Like everyone else, they are speculating between Malik Rosier, Evan Sheriffs, Cade Weldon, and N’Kosi Perry. Yahoo mentioned that Rosier has gotten more of the first team reps per the Miami beat reporters.
Yahoo had Jack Allison as the starter in the spring. Miami went into the spring with a wide open race. Allison hurt his shoulder in spring practice and transferred. Richt anointed Rosier and Sheriffs as the co-starters after the spring.
Related Story: Miami Hurricanes QB Jack Allison to Transfer
Training camp is likely to decide who Miami’s starter is. Yahoo quoted Richt in the Sun Sentinel as saying:
"“I don’t know what I’ll do yet. I just have to figure it out…If I think I need to do it to learn more about all these guys, and their ability to make a play with their feet, or maybe get hit and get back up, we’ll probably let them play.”"
Talking about the Miami Hurricanes defense Yahoo said:
"“The Miami defense should be nasty in 2017, especially up front.”"
Yahoo was impressed with the Hurricanes pass rush. They speculated that one or two Miami players could reach double digit sack totals. Joe Jackson led Miami with 7.5 last season
They were especially impressed with Defensive Line coach Craig Kuligowski. Yahoo mentioned that he “churned out first-round DL after first-round DL in his time at Missouri.”
Shaq Quarterman was a Freshmen All-American last season and Miami’s second leading tackler last season. Quarterman was quoted on how hard he worked in the offseason.
"“I’ve been working on getting slimmer, more in shape so that I can be more efficient and run as fast as I can for as long as I can so I don’t have to come off the field for any reason,” he said at ACC media days. “I’ve been focusing on my football IQ. I’ve been focused on my pre-snap analysis to understand what the offense is trying to do to me and my defense. So once you understand things like that, you’re one step ahead of the offense when the offense usually starts out one step ahead of you because they know what they’re doing.”"
The Final point that Yahoo focused on was Miami’s schedule. The Hurricanes do not have the gauntlet they had last season. Miami went 0-4 in a four game stretch against Florida State, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. Those four teams are spread out on this year’s schedule.
Miami also avoids defending National Champion Clemson and Louisville for the second year in a row. Miami will travel to Florida State week three and UNC later in the season. The Hokies and Fighting Irish come to Hard Rock Stadium this season.
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The biggest games on Miami’s schedule this season will be the trip to North Carolina and Virginia Tech’s visit to the Rock. Florida State will get the most attention, but if UM wants a rematch with the Seminoles they will likely need at least a split against UNC and VATech.