The Miami football team will travel to College Station, Texas on September 17 with a seven-game losing streak against Power Five opponents in non-conference games since 2017. Miami last defeated a Power Five non-conference opponent when they beat Notre Dame 41-8 at Hard Rock Stadium in 2017.
The losing streak against non-conference opponents began with a 34-24 loss to Wisconsin in the 2017 Orange Bowl. Miami last defeated a non-conference Power Five opponent away from home with a 31-14 win over West Virginia in the 2016 Champs Sports in Orlando. That was the last bowl win for the Miami football team.
Miami last defeated a Power Five non-conference team on the road with a 36-23 win at Nebraska in 2015. The Hurricanes have been outscored by an average of 35 to 18.29 during the seven-game losing streak against Power Five non-conference opponents. Miami clearly needs to improve to be competitive.
Opponents outgained Miami in four of the seven games. Miami is being outgained by an average of 395.29 yards to 345.86. Alabama scorched Miami 44-13 in the 2021 season opener while gaining 501 yards. Wisconsin outgained Miami 406 to 169 in a 35-3 win in the 2018 Pinstripe Bowl.
Miami AD Dan Radakovich says ACC moving closer to scrapping football divisions and adopting 3-5-5 schedule model for 2023 season. Next step is consulting with ESPN on the details.
— David Teel (@ByDavidTeel) May 10, 2022
Miami had a deficit of 20 turnovers to seven during their losing streak versus Power Five non-conference opponents. Four of the turnvoers committed by opponents were when Florida defeated Miami 24-20 in the 2019 season opener. The Florida game was the only one Miami did not have multiple turnovers.
LSU in 2018, Oklahoma State in 2020 and Michigan State in 2021 did not commit a turnover while defeating Miami. Miami was 102nd nationally in 2021 with an average turnover margin of minus 0.5. Under new Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, Oregon was 18th nationally in 2021 with an average turnover margin of 0.64.
If Miami hopes to return to the elite of college football, winning non-conference games against Power Five opponents will be critical. Oregon upset Ohio State 35-28 in Columbus last season. Miami will have an opportunity for a marque win early in the Cristobal tenure at Texas A&M in September.
Miami is scheduled to play non-conference games against Power Five opponents through 2032. In addition to the home-and-home series with Texas A&M beginning this year, Miami plays Florida, Notre Dame, South Carolina and Auburn. Notre Dame is on the Miami schedule seven times between 2024 and 2037.