David Cobb of CBS Sports named “Texas A&M, Miami among 10 college football teams poised to bounce back, return to bowl game in 2023 season.” The Miami football program and Texas A&M both finished 5-7 in 2022. Texas A&M at Miami in week two on September 9 will create a lot of national attention.
Miami begins the season at home on September 1 versus Miami (Ohio). After hosting the Aggies, Miami plays Bethune-Cookman on September 16 before traveling to Temple. After a bye week, Miami hosts Georgia Tech on October 7. Miami has a realistic opportunity to begin the 2023 season 5-0.
Texas A&M defeated Miami 17-9 in College Station last season. Miami had 392 total yards but was held to three field goals in four red zone trips. The Miami defense held Texas A&M to 264 yards last season. Miami was 86th nationally in total offense in 2022 and Texas A&M was 93rd.
Winning the games they are favored in will be a huge step forward for the Miami football team over the 2022 season. Miami lost twice last season as a double-digit favorite. The Hurricanes lost three games in 2022 overall as a favorite. Cobb provided his own view on the outlook for Miami entering the 2023 season.
"“Teams like Miami and Texas A&M are looking to…surge back to national relevance in the 2023 season. The Hurricanes and Aggies are among the list of teams that missed bowl games in the 2022 season, which is a rather dubious distinction in today’s game.Miami: There is absolutely no scenario under the scorching Miami sun in which the Hurricanes repeat last season’s 5-7 fiasco, which included a humiliating home loss against Middle Tennessee and three November blowout defeats.Barring another unthinkable nonconference loss against Miami (Ohio), Bethune-Cookman or Temple, the Hurricanes will need just three ACC wins to reach bowl eligibility. With Georgia Tech, Virginia, Louisville and Boston College on the schedule, that shouldn’t be a problem.Plus, the ‘Canes get a chance at revenge vs. Texas A&M at home after losing against the Aggies on the road last season.”"
Miami failed to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2007. The observation by Cobb that there is no scenario that Miami repeats the 2022 season is logical. Miami was unable to overcome injuries to quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and several offensive linemen last season. Miami added more depth on the OL entering 2023.
Most of the more difficult games on the 2023 schedule come later in the season. Miami will be a significant underdog on October 21 at home versus Clemson and on November 11 at Florida State. Getting off to a good start this season will alleviate a lot of the pressure for the Miami football team in earning a bowl berth.