The Miami football program will continue improving in 2021 according to 247Sports.Com. Miami went from 6-7 in their inaugural season under Manny Diaz in 2019 to 8-3 in 2020. Miami will have a 10-2 record in 2021 per 247. The jump to 10 wins depends on the health of quarterback D’Eriq King.
King is returning from a torn ACL suffered in the Miami football 37-34 loss to Oklahoma State in the Cheez-It Bowl. The 2021 season sets up similiarly for Miami to 2020. Miami will likely be favored in every game they play except the opener against Alabama on September 4 against Alabama and October 16 at North Carolina.
The Miami footbal game against the Crimson Tide is at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. If Miami can defeat either Alabama or North Carolina they can have a special season. Defeat who you are expected to and pull off one upset. Miami won every game they were expected to but could not break through in the big game.
"“MIAMI HURRICANES | 10-2This prediction is only valid if quarterback D’Eriq King gets back to full strength prior to the start of the season. If he isn’t at 100% by at least Week 2, then all bets are off. After kicking off the 2021 season with a neutral-site battle against Alabama, Miami has the chance to do some real damage in ACC.The game against North Carolina on Oct. 16 looms large, but the Tar Heels do have an edge there because that clash is in Chapel Hill. Still, the Hurricanes will definitely be in the mix to win the Coastal Division and get to the ACC title game in December.”"
The summary from 247Sports.Com puts Miami in good position to challenge North Carolina in the Coastal. Miami has to put the 2020 debacle against the Tar Heels behind them. The Hurricanes schedule is challenging after Alabama. Miami hosts one of the best Group of Five programs, Appalachian State a week after Alabama.
The game against the Mountaineers follows with a visit from Michigan State and games against FCS Central Connecticut State and Virginia, all at home. If Miami stays focused they should be able to enter the game at North Carolina 4-1. A run at a Coastal Division title almost definitely goes through Chapel Hill.