Miami football three September national TV kickoff times set

The Miami football program had three 2021 kickoff times announced on Thursday. will kickoff on September 11 at 7 PM against Appalachian State at Hard Rock Stadium on ESPN2 or ESPNU, September 18, the Hurricanes versus Michigan State at noon on ABC or ESPN and Thursday, September 30 versus Virginia begins at 7 PM.

The 2021 Miami football season opener against Alabama on September 4 was previously announced with a 3:30 kickoff time in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. With the changes in schedule in 2020 due to COVID, Virginia traveling to Hard Rock Stadium in 2021 is a quirk in the schedule.

The Hurricanes defeated the Cavaliers 19-14 last season for its second victory in the series. Miami has won five of the last six against Virginia. The Hurricanes lead the all-time series against the Cavaliers 11-7. Virginia finished 5-5 overall, 4-5 in the ACC in ninth place in the conference.

With Group of Five Power Appalachian State sandwiched between Miami’s games against Alabama and Michigan State, there has been some discussion about it being a game to watch for an upset from national college football writers. The Hurricanes defeated the Mountaineers 45-10 in Boone, North Carolina in 2016.

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The Miami win at Appalachian State was the programs’ only meeting. Appalachian State finished 9-3 in their first season under head coach Shawn Clark. Clark was on the Appalachian State staff before ascending to head coach. The Mountaineers defeated North Texas 56-28 in the Myrtle Beach Bowl last season.

Miami has won all four meetings against Michigan State. The Hurricanes last defeated the Spartans 26-20 in 1989. Miami and Michigan State were supposed to play last season. The game was canceled when the Big 10 eliminated non-conference games. Miami defeated UAB in their sole non-conference game in 2020.

The series has been closer than the four-game sweep by Miami would indicate. Miami won the four games by a total of 28 points. Three of the four games were won by single digits. Miami won the last meeting in 1989 with former Hurricanes offensive coordinator Dan Enos as the Spartans quarterback.

Michigan State finished 2-5 in their first season under former Mel Tucker in 2020. The Spartans open the season on September 4 hosting Northwestern. Michigan State hosts Youngstown State week two before traveling to Hard Rock Stadium. Miami plays two Power, Five non-conference opponents, for the first time since 2012.