ESPN experts like Miami football over in win totals

The over/under for the Miami football team in 2020 according to the Ceaser’s Palace sportsbook via ESPN is 8.5 wins. ESPN college football analyst Phil Steele projects the Hurricanes to top that number.

Nearly every season as the year begins the Miami football team seems to be projected better than they finish. With a new offensive coordinator, new QB and three key transfers let’s hope this is the season that finally comes to fruition. The Hurricanes 7-6 record in 2018 and 6’7 record in 2019 was far below projections.

The additions of quarterback D’Eriq King, defensive end Quincy Roche and kicker Jose Borreagales should all have a major impact on the Miami football team in 2020. The QB play for Miami was inconsistent in 2019 and Roche gives Miami arguably the two best returning pass rushers in the country in 2020.

The addition of Borregales cannot be understated. Miami lost at least four games in 2019 where a reliable kicker could have produced a different outcome. Missed field goals against Florida, North Carolina and Georgia Tech and a missed extra point against Virginia Tech played major roles in Miami losing those games.

"Miami Hurricanes over 8.5 (-125)Steele: Manny Diaz didn’t have a great debut year with a disappointing 6-7 record after a bowl shutout loss. Miami has only 11 returning starters, so the 8.5 win total seems a little high, but I like the over.Diaz brought in some significant additions in QB D’Eriq King from Houston and AAC Defensive Player of the Year DE Quincy Roche from Temple. Roche will team with Gregory Rousseau to give Miami one of the top defensive lines in the country, and King is a significant upgrade at quarterback."

ESPN college football analyst Phil Steele likes the outlook for Miami in 2020 with the additions of Roche and King and the return of Rousseau. Even the most diehard of Miami football fans would be hesitant to bet the over. Miami has a much easier schedule in 2020 than 2019, but we heard the same refrain last season.

The Hurricanes opened with Florida at Camping World Stadium in Orlando and lost to North Carolina two weeks later in Chapel Hill to begin the 2019 season. In 2020, the Hurricanes open with Roche facing his former Owls teammates and host FCS Wagner week two. Miami also hosts UAB September 17.

By any measure, Miami should begin the 2020 season no worse than 3-0. A week four trip to Michigan State is not as challenging as it would have been in past seasons. The Spartans have had a tumultuous offseason that culminated with the hiring of Mel Tucker from Colorado to replace Mark D’Antonio as head coach.

Miami will host Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Florida State and Duke in ACC play and travel to Wake Forest, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech in conference play. The 8.5 win total seems to be right at the line where Miami should finish. Las Vegas usually knows what they are doing. Miami had a lot of changes in the offseason.