The Miami football team has been one of the most polarizing nationally since the 1980s. CBS Sports has split decisions on Miami for 2021 in their “ACC expert picks 2021: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions.” CBS has Miami as one of the most overrated and underrated ACC teams.
Miami enters the 2021 season as the consensus second pick in the ACC Coastal behind North Carolina. North Carolina was mentioned as one of the most overrated teams, but not the most underrated. Florida State and Miami were both mentioned as one of the most overrated and underrated teams in the ACC in 2021.
Miami at North Carolina on October 16 is expected to be the game to decide the 2021 ACC Coastal Division Championship. The Hurricanes return 91 percent of their production from 2020 with 95 percent back on offense and 86 percent on defense. The Tar Heels return 79 percent, 77 percent on offense and 81 percent on defense.
Ben Kercheval and Chip Patterson of CBS picked Miami as their most overrated team in the ACC for 2021. David Cobb projects Miami as one of the most underrated. Cobb has a bold prediction on the Miami game at North Carolina in October. The Hurricanes and Tar Heels could be ranked in the Top 10 when the teams play in Chapel Hill.
"David Cobb: Miami will get revenge on North Carolina after last season’s 62-26 loss to the Tar Heels.Miami: North Carolina’s 62-26 thrashing of Miami at the end of the 2020 regular season is skewing perception of how things stand in the Coastal entering 2021. UNC loses the majority of its skill production, while Miami brings back its leading rushers and receivers from last season.Miami’s only other regular season loss last season came against Clemson, whereas UNC lost to Florida State and Virginia, in addition to Notre Dame.The UNC-Miami rematch comes on Oct. 16 this season, and while the game is in Chapel Hill, Miami will be coming off a bye looking for revenge on a Tar Heels team that will be playing for a seventh consecutive week. — Cobb"
CBS Sports had seven different college football reporters and analysts to make a bold prediction for the 2021 season. In addition to Cobb picking Miami to win at North Carolina, Kercheval and Patterson also made bold predictions involving Miami. D’Eriq King’s Heisman Trophy chances and ACC teams’ postseason rankings are examined.
"Tom Fornelli: At the end of the regular season, Clemson will be the only ACC team ranked in the top 15 by the CFP.Chip Patterson: The ACC will have two Heisman finalists — and there’s options beyond the two Dodd mentioned in Miami QB D’Eriq King."
Clemson being the only ACC team ranked in the top 15 nationally will largely depend on Miami and North Carolina winning the game they are favored this season. If Miami and North Carolina finished the season with two losses they will finish in the top 15. Three losses would place the Miami football team and UNC near the top 15.
With King and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee in their second seasons with the Miami football program, a Heisman Trophy candidacy from the Hurricanes QB is a definitely possibility. The games against Alabama in the season opener and at North Carolina will be critical to King becoming a Heisman finalist.
Big games define Heisman Trophy winners. Miami lost their three biggest games in 2020. The Miami offense did not play well in losses to Clemson and UNC and King missed more than half the Cheez-It Bowl loss to Oklahoma State after tearing his ACL. The Hurricanes need to evolve in big games in 2021.