The Miami football program has been named as one of the five most overrated teams in the USA Today preseason Top 25 coaches poll by the eponymous publication. Since the end of the championship era in 2001, Miami has become one of the most polarizing programs in college football.
The annual question Is the U back is debated. The Miami football team is ranked 16th in the coaches poll is in line with the consensus rankings where the Hurricanes are 17th. Questions about quarterback D’Eriq King recovering from a knee injury from the national media have been frequent during the 2021 offseason.
By all accounts from the Miami football staff, King has smashed all his rehab milestones and is completely ready to play against Alabama. College football analyst Josh Pate of 247 reported this week that King does not plan on wearing a knee brace or need one. The opener against Alabama looms on September 4.
It is safe to say by all reports King will be ready for the season opener. There is no reason for anyone to believe that King will not start against Alabama. The Miami offense should continue to develop in their second season under King and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Erick Smith of USA Today profiled Miami.
USA Today's preseason coaches poll pic.twitter.com/GGKivRnhjI
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 10, 2021
"No. 16 Miami (Florida)The concerns for the Hurricanes start at quarterback. D’Eriq King went down with a knee injury in the bowl game and his status for the opener against Alabama is uncertain. There’s no experience behind King, so that’s something to watch even if he is healthy for Week 1.More will be needed from the running game to keep defenses honest and take some of the pressure off King. Charleston Rambo is projected as a starting receiver, but arrives from Oklahoma after a disappointing campaign. Worries on defense led coach Manny Diaz to take over calling plays for the unit this season.His first order of business is to sort out the front seven that lost its top pass rushers and needs to be better against the run. The biggest challenge will be improvement against top competition. In its three toughest ACC games in 2020, the Hurricanes allowed 145 points and were blown out in two of them.While a potential loss in the opener to the Crimson Tide wouldn’t be a killer, there’s other difficult games against Michigan State and Appalachian State that could get the season off on the wrong foot before the ACC program starts"
Miami needs more consistency at running back, particularly from Cam’Ron Harris who returns for his fourth season. Don Chaney Jr. and Jaylan Knighton will be in the rotation and provide depth. Chaney should challenge Harris for first-team carries. Rambo should provide Miami a consistent deep threat they did not have in 2020.
Miami has an advantageous schedule other than the games against Alabama and North Carolina. Appalachian State and Michigan State will be challenges but are games Miami should win. The game at North Carolina State on October 23 a week after North Carolina is the most difficult stretch for Miami in 2021.
Replacing Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche at defensive end and improvement against the run are the most critical questions to be answered for Miami entering the 2021 season. Miami particularly needs better play from its linebackers this season. The tone of the analysis of Miami being overrated is negative.
There is a lot to be positive for Miami entering the 2021 season. King is the ideal QB to lead the Miami offense. Rambo provides a dimension Miami didn’t have in 2020 and showed his potential with Oklahoma in 2019. With nine returning starters and Diaz re-assuming defensive play-calling Miami should be improved on defense.