The 2021 kickoff game between Alabama and the Miami football team is one of the most anticipated in recent Hurricanes history. At the very least this will probably be the most eagerly awaited game by the Miami fanbase since the Hurricanes hosted Notre Dame in a 41-8 victory at Hard Rock Stadium in 2017.
Miami will return 19 starters in 2021 and expects to have injured quarterback D’Eriq King ready for the game against the Crimson Tide on September 4 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Alabama will return three starters on offense and six on defense in 2021. Alabama and Miami have not played since the 1993 Sugar Bowl.
Playing Alabama in the season opener gives Miami another chance to prove they can be competitive in a big game. Miami lost by a combined 61 points in losses to Clemson and North Carolina in 2020.
Playing Alabama earlier in the season might provide Miami with a chance for a more competitive game and the potential for an upset. Alabama will be starting a new QB, new running back, three new offensive linemen and lose their two star wide receivers. The game is being looked forward to by 247Sports.Com.
"ALABAMA VS. MIAMI“Can the Hurricanes test the Crimson Tide and keep it competitive? The unknown is what makes this one so intriguing. Miami quarterback D’Eriq King shredded most of the defenses who tried to contain him last fall and is expected to be back at full strength from a knee injury in time for the 2021 opener.Nick Saban has never lost one of these out-on-conference Power 5 tilts during his tenure in Alabama and will likely be a multi-touchdown favorite to win another. Still, count us in for this one.”"
2021 opening weekend of College Football. 😳
— Stadium Drive Podcast (@StadiumDrivePod) December 27, 2020
Georgia vs Clemson
Miami vs Alabama
Florida State vs Notre Dame
SHEESH.
Miami against Alabama is one of 10 “Games we’re looking forward to during (the) 2021 season.” by 247. Being competitive in Atlanta is important for Manny Diaz to continue building the Miami football brand. The Hurricanes mostly failed in the spotlight in 2020. That needs to change in 2021.
The Hurricanes will likely have one other opportunity to play in a game that gets national attention in 2021. Miami will travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina with a chance to avenge one of the most embarrassing losses in program history after a 62-26 loss to the Tar Heels in 2020. Miami cannot afford more blowout losses.