Miami Hurricanes Poised to Join College Football Elite

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 05: Head coach Mark Richt of the Miami Hurricanes looks on during the second half of the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 05: Head coach Mark Richt of the Miami Hurricanes looks on during the second half of the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
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CORAL GABLES, FL – DECEMBER 04: New University of Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt makes the ‘U’ sign after he was introduced at a press conference at the school on December 4, 2015 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Joe Skipper/Getty Images)
CORAL GABLES, FL – DECEMBER 04: New University of Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt makes the ‘U’ sign after he was introduced at a press conference at the school on December 4, 2015 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Joe Skipper/Getty Images)

The Miami Hurricanes showed tremendous improvement in the 2016 season from 2015. Do advanced metrics show them ready to return to college football’s elite in 2017?

When Mark Richt agreed to become the head football coach of the Miami Hurricanes, expectations were high for a quick turnaround and a return to the dominance of the past. The 2016 Miami Hurricanes equaled the regular season record of the 2015 team at 8-4.

The 2016 Miami Hurricanes were able to accomplish a Bowl win to finish 9-4. The 2015 team lost in the Sun Bowl under interim Head Coach Larry Scott after Al Golden was fired midseason.

An October swoon saw the team go on a four-game losing streak.  Many within the fan base openly wondered whether the team had improved at all over the previous season. Let’s dive deeper into this question and provide evidence to determine whether the Hurricanes are, in fact, headed in the right direction.

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