Miami football against Alabama one of top 10 2021 defining games
The Miami football team will likely play its biggest season opener since they defeated number one Florida State 31-0 in 1988. Miami began that season ranked sixth. The Hurricanes will likely begin the 2021 season ranked in the high teens or low 20s. Alabama will almost definitely begin the 2021 season ranked first or second.
The Hurricanes and Crimson Tide begin the 2021 season at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Alabama defeated Ohio State 52-24 in the National Championship Game in January. In season openers, the Crimson Tide have won by an average of 25 points against ranked opponents under head coach Nick Saban.
Alabama has defeated ranked opponents by an average of 23 points in season openers under Saban. Six of those opponents began the season ranked. Only three finished there. Miami has a difficult task playing Alabama in the 2021 season opener. Alabama and Miami could impact the 2021 College Football season.
The Alabama against Miami football game is 10th by 247 Sports in “Ranking college football’s 10 season-defining games.” The Hurricanes and Crimson Tide would normally be the marquee game of any week they play. Clemson and Georgia are playing in Charlotte and received the primetime slot to begin the season.
"10. ALABAMA VS. MIAMI (ATLANTA)One of several Week 1 matchups pitting nationally-ranked teams worth checking out in early September, this contest is the biggest game thus far for Manny Diaz in his tenure at Miami.Do the Hurricanes show up to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and get dump-trucked by the defending national champions like everyone expects or will the ACC show there’s another elite not-named Clemson amped to impress this season?Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King poses an interesting challenge for the Crimson Tide, who won’t face a signal caller as dynamic as him from a dual-threat standpoint all season in the SEC. Florida’s Emory Jones may beg to differ.King had surgery after Miami’s bowl game to repair a torn knee ligament, but is expected back for fall camp and the Hurricanes’ ramp-up for Alabama."
King is the dynamic type of player opponents need to defeat Alabama, In games against North Carolina State and Virginia Tech in 2020, King nearly willed the Miami football team to victory. King threw for 430 yards and five touchdowns without an interception and ran for 105 on 15 carries in the 2021 victory over the Wolfpack.
Alabama held six teams under 100 yards rushing last season. Only Florida threw for over 400 yards against the Crimson Tide. Miami reaching either of those thresholds against Alabama as a team, let alone King reaching those numbers by themselves will be extremely difficult. Miami just has to focus on their game plan.
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A win by Miami over the Crimson Tide can set the Hurricanes forward for a great season. Keeping the game close but losing can also help Miami in the eyes of the voters for College Football Playoff and the New Year’s Six Bowl games. The 42-17 loss at Clemson last season should help Miami not be in awe of playing Alabama.