Miami football versus Alabama will have one of 2021 marquee QB matchups
The Miami football game against Alabama at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta to open the season on September 4 will have one of the marquee quarterback matchups during the 2021 season. D’Eriq King returns to QB Miami for a second season. Bryce Young takes over from Mac Jones at QB for Alabama.
Miami is opening the season against an SEC opponent for the third time in four seasons. The Hurricanes lost 33-17 to LSU in 2018 and were defeated 24-20 to Florida in 2019. The Tigers were quarterbacked by 2019 Heisman Trophy Winner Joe Burrow. Feleipe Franks led the Gators before a season-ending injury later in the year.
As a team, Alabama is a much bigger test than Florida and LSU. The Miami football team might need King to have another big game similar to when he led the Hurricanes to a victory over North Carolina State in 2020. King threw for 405 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 105 in the victory over the Wolfpack.
In a roundtable discussing “College football preseason roundtable: best games, breakout stars and more” ESPN writer Dave Wilson named the Miami versus Alabama game as the September game he is most looking forward to on the opening weekend. Miami and Alabama will kickoff at 3:30 PM eastern time.
"“Dave Wilson: D’Eriq King and Bryce Young will be the focus of much intrigue on how far they can take Miami and Alabama this season. Will Miami take a step this season back to becoming Miami? Will Alabama still be Alabama? Right out of the gate, we’ll get to see how they both look on Sept. 4.”"
King threw for 2,686 yards, 23 TDs and five interceptions and ran for 538 and four TDs in 2020. Young threw for just 156 yards and one TD in 2020 with negative 21 yards rushing. Young was the second-ranked player overall and top-ranked dual-threat QB in the Class of 2020. Miami needs to prevent a breakout game for Young.
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Young received his most playing time in 2020 against Missouri completing five of eight for 53 yards and a TD. Young completed his sole TD pass during his freshman season to 2020 Heisman Trophy winner DaVonta Smith. Young is inexperienced should still be a challenge for the Miami defense.