What is Miami Football’s most important 2018 game?
Florida State is not ranked either. Virginia Tech is 15th in ESPN’s preseason rankings. When discussing non-conference schedules in a separate article titled “The 2018 CFB preseason schedule superlatives”, the mothership’s Adam Rittenberg discussed Miami’s trip to Toledo in September.
"“Miami seems to schedule road games that programs of its caliber typically avoid…Up next is a return game at Toledo, the defending MAC champion that led Miami at halftime last year before running out of gas. Toledo could have the best receiver group of any Group of 5 team and should be fired up to welcome the U to the Glass Bowl.”"
Miami will be expected to defeat the Rockets. It is not a game they can overlook though. After trailing 16-10 at halftime last season the Hurricanes exploded for 42 points in the second half in a 52-30 win.
The most important game thus comes down to Florida State and Virginia Tech. The game against Florida State is the one that the fans will point to. The game against the Hokies has frequently been one to decide conference titles when both teams are in that position.
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The winner of the game between Miami and Virginia Tech has gone on to win the Coastal the last two seasons. Both were convincing victories by the home team. Miami won 28-10 at the Rock last season.
ESPN selected the game against Florida State as Miami’s most important. The Hurricanes trip to Blacksburg was chosen as the most important on the Hokies schedule.
Florida State fans will be geared up after the Hurricanes win last season. One Florida State website that has made a career out of discussing Miami business seems to think that “The location of this year’s game is good for the Noles.” They apparently did not watch Miami’s victories over the Hokies and Notre Dame last season.
After announcing both games for ABC last season College Football Analyst Kirk Herbstreit said that Hard Rock Stadium was as loud as any game he covered at the Orange Bowl. Herbstreit also said that night games in Miami are a different vibe than anywhere else in college football.