Miami football schedule more likely to add Group of 5, FCS than Power 5
"FUTURE MIAMI (FL) NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS 2020 09/05 – Temple 09/12 – Wagner 09/17 – UAB 09/26 – at Michigan State 2021 09/04 – vs Alabama (in Atlanta, GA) 09/11 – Appalachian State 09/18 – Michigan State 09/25 – Central Connecticut 2022 09/10 – Southern Miss 09/17 – at Texas A&M"
FCS opponents have taken on a regional rivalry in the past. The Miami football program is beginning to branch out against FCS teams on the schedule coming up over the next few seasons. The Hurricanes host Wagner this season and Central Connecticut State in 2021. The Blue Devils reached the FCS playoffs in 2019.
Projecting which FCS teams the Miami football program could be interested in is pure conjecture. Miami athletic director Blake James was in the same position at Maine before moving to Coral Gables. The Black Bears are known for their Baseball and Hockey teams. Maine has Colgate and Boston College on its schedule for 2022.
The Palm Beach Post thoroughly examined in 2017 the past guarantee games when Miami paid other teams to come to South Florida to play the Hurricanes. That will likely be the fourth game and almost assuredly against an FCS opponent in 2022. Miami won all of the 25 games listed below.
2020 Miami Football Schedule#ACC pic.twitter.com/n8uc8fipdc
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) January 22, 2020
"In the modern era (1970-present), UM has cut checks for guaranteed home games to: Charleston Southern (2008) UConn (2002) Colorado State (1985) East Tennessee State (1998) Florida International (2006-07) Long Beach State (1991) Louisiana Tech (1979, 2000-04) Marshall (2007) McNeese State (2000) North Texas (1980) Northern Illinois (1986) Oklahoma State (1991) Pacific (1974, ’77) San Jose State (1989) TCU (1992) Toledo (1987) Troy (2001) Utah State (1978) William and Mary (1970)"
Of the schools listed above, Charleston Southern, East Tennessee State, McNeese State and William and Mary are currently FCS programs. Long Beach State and Pacific no longer have football programs and several of the others have moved up from Division II, Division I-AA or FCS to Division I-A or FBS.