Miami Football hosts Bethune-Cookman: 2019 Home opener information

The Miami football team returns home after starting 0-2 for the first time since 1978. The Hurricanes host FCS Bethune-Cookman on Saturday afternoon.

The Miami football team returns home after beginning the season 0-2 for the first time since 1978. The Hurricanes are the only Power five team that began the season with two games away from home against two other Power five teams. The losses to Florida and North Carolina preceded hosting FCS Bethune-Cookman Saturday.

Bethune-Cookman began the 2019 season with a 36-15 victory over Jackson State on September 1. The Wildcats home opener against Southeast Louisiana in Daytona Beach was canceled last Saturday because of Hurricane Dorian. Bethune-Cookman finished the 2018 season 7-5.

The Bethune-Cookman and Miami football programs are meeting for the fifth time since 2011. The Hurricanes have dominated the series with wins in all four matchups. Miami has outscored the Wildcats 169-37 in the four games. Miami needs to go out and make a statement against Bethune-Cookman on Saturday.

The Hurricanes are a prohibitive favorite against what has been a mediocre FCS team. Miami needs to get off to a good start. The Hurricanes began the season well by scoring on the first drive against Florida. Miami then allowed an inexcusable 66-yard catch and run for a touchdown on the Gators first drive.

The 17-3 deficit Miami got into against North Carolina had a great impact on the outcome of the game. The Hurricanes have to be more competitive early in games. Slow starts have often been a hindrance for Miami in ACC games. Miami simply cannot continue to expect to work their way back into games.