The Miami football program is given the second-best chance to upset Clemson to win the ACC according to analysis by Pro Football Focus. Expected to compete with North Carolina in the ACC Coastal Divison, the Hurricanes are given a seven percent chance to win the ACC by PFF with the Tar Heels at 20 percent.
The perpetual question with the Miami football program is “Is the U Back.” The answer to that question depends on who is analyzing the question and the measurement used to determine the outcome. Miami is trying to win at least nine games in back-to-back seasons for just the second time since 2002 and 2003.
The Hurricanes went 9-4 in the first season under Mark Richt in 2016 and 10-3 in his second season in 2017. During his first three offseasons as head coach, Manny Diaz has made extensive changes to try and improve the Miami coaching staff. The offense improved significantly in 2020.
If Miami can continue to develop on offense and prove they can play well in big games, the Hurricanes will have a chance to win the Coastal and likely the potential to play Clemson. Quarterback D’Eriq King is the equalizer that can be the difference for Miami in any game. The 2020 season for Miami is analyzed by PFF.
"“1A. MIAMI HURRICANESConference Title Odds: 7%Is Miami back? After a turnover-fueled 10-0 start to the 2017 campaign, The Hurricanes are just 21-19. But with head coach Manny Diaz running the defense and Rhett Lashlee spearheading the offense, there is reason for optimism.Since Diaz became Mark Richt’s defensive coordinator in 2016 through the 2019 season, the Canes’ defense had finished no worse than 34th in overall efficiency before dropping to 62nd last year. Yet, 2020 was the unit’s best season since the 2017 debacle. Why? Because the offense finally broke out."
In the three years Diaz was the defensive coordinator, from 2016-2018, plus his first season as head coach in 2019, the Miami defense was elite as the numbers above indicate. Last season the defense dropped significantly and was exposed by Clemson and North Carolina. Diaz resumes calling the defense this season.
The departure of co-defensive coordinators Blake Baker and Ephraim Banda following the 2020 season prodded Diaz to assume the de facto defensive coordinator for the 2021 season in addition to being the head coach. Diaz taking over the play-calling again has many expect the Miami defense to return to form.
2022 NFL Draft Prospect Miami DT Nesta “Jade“ Silvera with the penetration upfront, destroying the play. We see you!! @NJS_ERA pic.twitter.com/eDOCA1NdKj
— Robert Cardona (@CARDONAFAM29) July 4, 2021
"From 2017 to 2019, the offense ranked 98th in the country. Last year? 35th. The turnaround came from bringing in Lashlee as offensive coordinator and transfer quarterback D’Eriq King to helm the unit, and both return. Lashlee stretched the Miami offense to the extreme, with receivers hugging the sideline running go routes.That meshed perfectly with King’s deep moon-ball-type throws falling perfectly into receivers’ hands. King suffered a torn ACL at the end of last season, but if he’s healthy, the results could be stunning in his second year with Lashlee.The team loses its top pass catcher in tight end Brevin Jordan, who recorded a 78.0 receiving grade in 2020, but replaces him with transfer wide receiver Charleston Rambo, who posted a 73.7 receiving grade in 2019 with Oklahoma, to pair with Mike Harley and his 76.9 receiving grade.Having an elite tight end is never a bad thing, but these “superspreader” offenses seem to be better suited with elite talent outside rather than at tight end. The tight end can be a glorified sixth offensive lineman and they would still be efficient.With just about the entire offensive line returning, Miami’s offense could improve and even be a top-10 unit in the country this season. Diaz has done such a good job with the defense that the 62nd-place finish last season in efficiency seems like an aberration rather than the start of a trend.The Hurricanes do lose talent on the defensive line, but they return 3-technique Nesta Jade Silvera…Is Miami back? We’re going to find out this year.”"
King and Lashlee returning to work together for a second consecutive year project a big year for the Miami offense. The Hurricanes need more consistent performance on offense in big games. Rambo joins the Miami football team for the 2021 season as a consistent deep threat the Hurricanes lacked in 2020.
King and Rambo should mesh well in the Miami offense. In big games, the Miami football team is going to need big plays more consistently. Will Mallory will replace Jordan at TE to provide Miami with a pass-catching threat in the middle of the field. Harley and Rambo will provide Miami with their best pair of WRs in a few years.
According to the Miami coaching staff, King has shattered all the milestones in his rehabilitation. King is expected to be ready and fully healthy for the season opener against Alabama. If Miami is going to be competitive against the Crimson Tide, defeat North Carolina and have a chance against Clemson, King will be critical.
King showed the ability to carry Miami to victory last season. The Hurricanes need King to elevate his play against Alabama and North Carolina and potentially Clemson. Continuing to produce playmakers will be key for Miami returning to an elite level in college football. The Lashlee offense should produce playmakers.