Winning ACC Coastal realistic goal for Miami Hurricanes in Manny Diaz’s first season
Winning the ACC Coastal Division for the second time in three seasons is a realistic goal for the Miami Hurricanes in Manny Diaz’s first season as head coach.
Many college football experts project the Miami Hurricanes to win the ACC Coastal Division in Manny Diaz’s first season as the head football coach. Miami won the coastal and made their first appearance in the ACC Championship Game on 2017 in Mark Richts second season at his alma mater.
Diaz generated a lot of excitement during the 2019 offseason. That has, in turn, created high expectations for the Miami Hurricanes 2019 season from the fanbase. Winning the ACC Coastal Divison and nine regular-season games seem like a realistic goal for Miami in 2019. The over/under in wins for Miami in 2019 is 8.5.
The Miami schedule is favorable in 2019. The Hurricanes host Virginia, who ACC writers selected to win the Coastal and Virginia Tech, who is picked to finish third, in back to back weeks in October. Miami is picked second in the Coastal between the Cavaliers and Hokies.
Miami is in position to have one of the best seasons in college football in 2019 among programs with a new head coach. ESPN College Football expert Bill Connelly previewed the each of the 27 FBS schools with a new head coach in 2019. For Miami, Connelly states it is a case of expectation versus reality.
"“Projected 2019 wins: 8.3 (FPI) to 8.8 (S&P+)Odds of winning conference: 3%Speaking of schools with “expectations vs. reality” issues. …Diaz is the latest coach asked to restore The U to its former glory. Out of the gate, expectations seem high but manageable. No one expects the Hurricanes to win the ACC — not with Clemson still Clemsoning all over the place. (FPI gives the Tigers an 88% chance of winning the league crown; Miami’s 3% odds are second best.)They are, however, expected to win the Coastal Division and maybe not get quite as embarrassed by Clemson as they did in 2017. Beating in-state rivals Florida and/or Florida State wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.If Diaz and offensive coordinator Dan Enos can produce solid quarterback play, they’ll have a decent shot at meeting expectations. Is Ohio State transfer Tate Martell the answer? Can the offense occasionally create good field position for a defense that should be strong again?”"
There is a lot to digest in Connelly’s short synopsis of what to expect from the Miami Hurricanes in Manny Diaz’s first season as head coach. Expecting an ACC Championship is a lot to ask with how Clemson has dominated the conference during the last four seasons. The Tigers have two national titles and a runner-up since 2015.
Expecting the Hurricanes to get to the ACC Championship game is reasonable. Once there, anything can happen. The expectation of Miami defeating Clemson in the ACC Championship game with the longshot possibility it could happen are very different things. As Connelly said it would likely be a closer game than the 2017 game was.
The games against Florida and Florida State will be the two most hyped of 2019. The game against the Gators will be much more of a challenge. ESPN has Florida ranked eighth in their preseason rankings. Miami is fourth under others receiving votes, or 29th overall. FSU is 21st under others receiving votes or 46th nationally.
Enos should be able to produce much better QB play in a far more modern offense than the antiquated pro-style that Richt used. The new offense has been labeled the Spread Coast by Enos. It is hybrid of the spread and the West Coast Offense. The answer at QB will be determined.
Reading between the lines it very well seems that Martell could be the leader to start against Florida. Judging based on the intangibles that Diaz and Enos are looking for, Martell is the one that fits their criteria the most. Whether or not Martell is the answer at QB as Connelly asks remains to be seen.
Next. Miami football needs more explosive passing plays in 2019. dark
More than the offense needs to create good field position for the defense in 2019. Louis Headley had to pick up the pieces in the punting game left behind by Zach Feagles. The Hurricanes 38.25 average per punt by Feagles and the returning Jack Spicer in 2018 ranked 115th in the country. The punting has to improve in 2019.