Miami football has SEC non-conference games for next six years

The Miami football program is probably relieved to have the Alabama game behind them. Miami will continue to challenge themselves with non-conference games against SEC opponents in each of the next six years. That will mark nine times in 10 years that Miami will face an SEC opponent in a non-conference game.

Miami opened the 2018 season with a loss to LSU, 2019 with a loss to Florida and the 44-13 loss to Alabama on Saturday. The Hurricanes play Texas A&M in 2022 and 2023, Florida in 2024 and 2024 and South Carolina in 2025 and 2026. Florida in 2024 is the only scheduled opener of those six against an SEC team.

Miami also plays Auburn in 2029 and 2030 to open the season. Alabama is the standard that every college football program currently measures its programs against. Other than playing Clemson, Ohio State, or Oklahoma opposing an SEC team is a good measure of success for a college football program.

When Miami plays with Florida in the second of the two scheduled games, Oklahoma should be in the SEC with Texas. Miami also plays Notre Dame in 2024 and 2025. The Hurricanes and Fighting Irish will play seven times between 2024 and 2037. Notre Dame is the furthest schedule Miami non-conference opponent.

The Miami football program is challenging themselves at a high level by scheduled 11 games in 13 seasons against SEC opponents. Those games can help in recruiting but Miami has to start winning them. Miami has not defeated an SEC opponent since a 21-16 victory over Florida at Hard Rock Stadium in 2013.

Strength of schedule has been a point of emphasis for the College Football Playoffs. If Miami can continue improving, playing SEC opponents will help the Hurricanes in trying to earn a CFP berth or at the least a New Years Six bowl appearance. Florida and Texas A&M all have played in New Years Six Bowl games.

Auburn lost to Florida State in the CFP National Championship Game following the 2013 season in the last BCS Championship Game. Miami has only one New Years Six Bowl appearance. The Hurricanes lost to Wisconsin in the 2017 Orange Bowl. Miami missed out on an Orange Bowl appearance with a loss to North Carolina in 2020.

Despite the loss to Alabama to open the season, the Hurricanes still have their major accomplishments in from of them. Virginia Tech defeating North Carolina 17-10 in the season opener on Friday night opens up the ACC Coastal. Miami can bury the Tar Heels on October 16 in Chapel Hill.

The Hurricanes and Cavaliers game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 20 takes on added importance with the Hokies victory over the Tar Heels last week. The Virginia Tech Miami football game could decide an ACC Coastal Division Championship on the penultimate week of the 2021 season.