Miami football likely to play ACC only schedule in 2020
The Miami football program is likely to play an all ACC schedule according to several reports on Thursday after the Big 10 announced the elimination of non-conference games for 2020.
The ACC is expected to follow the lead of the Big 10 and go to an all-conference format for the 2020 college football season. The Miami football team lost Michigan State as a non-conference opponent with the Big 10 decision. Miami is currently scheduled to play Temple, UAB and Wagner in their other non-conference games.
Brett McMurphy of Stadium reported late on Thursday afternoon that the ACC is planning to follow the lead of the Big 10 and go to only conference games for the 2020 football season. Prior to that, McMurphy reported that Miami athletic director Blake was disappointed losing Michigan State on the Hurricanes schedule.
In James’ words, Miami “will work with the ACC to best position our program for the upcoming season.” If the ACC goes to an all-conference schedule replacing Michigan State and the other three non-conference games would obviously become irrelevant. Miami will likely have one or two ACC games added to the schedule.
In addition to the annual game against Florida State, the Miami football team is scheduled to play Wake Forest this season. The Big 10 announced they will add a 10th game to their nine-game conference schedule. The ACC plays an eight-game conference schedule. Expect the ACC to also go to a 10 game conference schedule.
No “official” decision has been reached by ACC, sources said, but likely outcome will be league only games based on Big Ten’s announcement https://t.co/DkCZi7W2E1
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 9, 2020
How it would be determined which two teams the ACC would add to each team’s schedule is open at this point. One report emerged that the ACC would work with Notre Dame who is a member of the conference in everything but football to help the Fighting Irish fill out their schedule.
Notre Dame has six games scheduled against ACC schools in 2020. If they added four more where would that leave the other four ACC schools and would the games against the Fighting Irish count as a conference game. Miami last played Notre Dame in 2017 in a 41-8 victory at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami AD Blake James statement: “I am aware of the announcement made by Big 10 today. While we are disappointed to lose the opportunity to face Michigan State during the 2020 season, we will work with the ACC to best position our program for the upcoming season.”
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 9, 2020
The ACC would likely want to use the opportunity for Notre Dame and Miami to play to maximize the financial potential for the advertising dollars the game would bring. The Hurricanes and Fighting Irish are next scheduled to play in 2024 in South Bend. The other game would also still be determined.
Miami at Michigan State game cancelled. dark. Next
Miami has gone the longest without playing North Carolina State in the Coastal. The Hurricanes and Wolfpack last played in 2016 in Raleigh. Miami won 27-13. Miami and NC State are scheduled to play in 2021 at Hard Rock Stadium. The 2022 crossover opponent for Miami is Clemson. Everything is speculative at this point.