Miami football has favorable early schedule for good start

The Miami football program begins the 2023 season with home games versus Miami (Ohio) on September 1, Texas A&M on September 9 and Bethune-Cookman on September 14 before playing at Temple on September 23. After a bye week, Miami will host Georgia Tech on October 7. The schedule is favorable for a good start.

The early lines from Fan Duel have Miami as a 17-point favorite in the season opener versus Miami (Ohio) and a 7.5-point underdog versus Texas A&M. Miami will be favored versus Bethune-Cookman and likely be the favorite at Temple and versus Georgia Tech. Miami should have an opportunity to start 5-0.

Three consecutive losses after beginning the season 2-0 doomed Miami in a 5-7 season. A 45-31 loss at home to Middle Tennessee State in week three foreshadowed the remainder of the season. Miami allowed over 40 points in a game four times in a season for the first time in program history.

None of the teams the Miami football team plays in its first five games had a winning record in 2022. With four of those games at home, Miami can set a foundation for the remainder of the 2023 season. The 2023 Miami football schedule is backloaded. November 18 versus Louisville is the only Miami home game that month.

Miami plays at North Carolina State on November 4, Florida State on November 11 and Boston College to finish the season on November 24. After Georgia Tech, Miami will play at North Carolina on October 14, host Clemson on October 21 and Virginia on October 28. Getting off to a good start will be critical to earning a bowl berth.

The 2022 season was the first for Miami since 2007 without winning six games in the regular season. Mario Cristobal and his staff have turned over nearly half the Miami roster with 42 new players. Miami signed 26 players and added 16 transfers during the 2023 offseason. Integrating those new players is critical.

The hiring of defensive coordinator Lance Guidry and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has raised expectations for Miami. Five new assistant coaches are also on the Miami staff. How well players adapt to the new systems under Guidry and Dawson could determine how well Miami plays early in the season.