Miami football expected competitive versus Alabama per ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit
Speaking on the ESPN College Football Podcast on Monday, lead analyst Kirk Herbstreit says he expects the Miami football team to be competitive against Alabama. Miami and Alabama open the season at 3:30 PM on ABC at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Herbstreit calls Clemson versus Georgia on Saturday.
Herbstreit has complimented the Miami football program often in the past year. The longtime ESPN analyst and former Ohio State quarterback said Miami quarterback D’Eriq King has the chance to be the face of college football in 2021. King was also named the “Ultimate Herbie.” In Herbstreit’s preseason awards.
Miami against Alabama will feature experience against the most talented team in college football. The Hurricanes return 19 starters and have the 13th most talented roster in 2021 college football. Alabama has their most talented team ever by a wide margin according to 247 Sports. Miami has to use its experience as an advantage.
Miami has to stop the Alabama running game and force Crimson Tide QB Bryce Young to beat them. Young completed 15 passes in 22 attempts for 156 yards and one touchdown in his collegiate debut in 2020. Miami will be the first start of Young’s Alabama career. Herbstreit expects Alabama to go old school.
"“New quarterback in Bryce Young, you got new running backs, a lot of new receivers…Bama is going to be relying early on old-school ‘Bama, dominant defense and playing smart on offense. I think because of that, I don’t see a blowout.I think D’Eriq King and Miami can hang around, and I think they can be competitive. I think ‘Bama wins the game, but I think the ‘Canes can compete.”"
Alabama is favored by 19.5 points over Miami according to WynnBet.Com. Under Nick Saban, Alabama has been dominant in openers versus primarily ranked teams. According to betting analyst Brad Powers “Alabama head coach Nick Saban is 14-0 straight up (+28.9 ppg) and 12-2 ATS (+7.7 ppg) in season openers at Alabama.”
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The praise the Miami football program has received from multiple national analysts ahead of the 2021 season is encouraging for the future. Miami next needs to perform well on the national stage. Playing competitive football against Alabama will build positive momentum for the Hurricanes in 2021 and beyond.