Coming off of an 8-3 2020 season and with 19 starters returning the Miami football program has high expectations in 2021. Miami is projected as about a 17 point underdog in their season opener against Alabama. If Miami can win at North Carolina on October 16, the Hurricanes have a chance to potentially finish 11-1.
The expectations for the Miami football team have been heightened for the 2021 season with the return of quarterback D’Eriq King. King was the leader and dynamic player at quarterback he was projected to be when he transferred from Houston last year. The Hurricanes’ non-conference schedule is challenging beyond Alabama.
After playing the Crimson Tide in Atlanta to open the season, Miami hosts Appalachian State, Michigan State and FCS Central Connecticut State at Hard Rock Stadium. Appalachian State is coming off of a 9-3 season and was one of the best Group of Five programs in college football in 2020.
Michigan State should be better in their second season under Mel Tucker. The Spartans finished 2-5 in 2020. Central Connecticut State has not played since 2019. The Blue Devils were 11-2in 2019 and lost in the first round of the FCS Playoffs to Albany. The 2021 Miami best case scenario was summarized by 247Sports.Com.
"MIAMI HURRICANES | 11-1“Last regular season, Miami turned in an 8-2 overall record, and those two losses came against Clemson and North Carolina. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, and the good news is that the Hurricanes avoid the Tigers this fall. The bad news is that they add Alabama in Week 1.Miami will be heavy underdogs in that matchup, but a win against North Carolina on Oct. 16 certainly isn’t out of the cards. If the Hurricanes can take down the Tar Heels, they’ll be undefeated in ACC play and in the conference title game.”"
For the best-case scenario for Miami in 2021, the Hurricanes have to play better in the big games. The 247 Sports best case scenario is based only on the regular season. If the Hurricanes season plays out as 247 sports projects in the best possible way, Miami would almost definitely bookend the season with Alabama and Clemson.
Miami lost to Clemson and North Carolina by a combined score of 104-43 in 2020. The games were not even that close. After falling behind 21-0 against Oklahoma State, Miami nearly pulled off a comeback before losing 37-34 after King tore his ACL. UNC returns QB Sam Howell but lost most of their skill position players on offense.
The Miami football game at North Carolina will be billed as the DeFacto ACC Coastal Division. All seven coastal division teams won a title between 2012-2019. Miami won their only coastal title in 2017. If the Hurricanes are going to return to the title game and reach their best-case scenario they likely have to win in Chapel Hill.