Miami football 2023 ACC strength of schedule rankings

Chip Patterson of CBS Sports ranks the Miami football team ninth in his “ACC strength of schedule rankings 2023.” Patterson ranks the entire schedule of the 14 ACC football-playing members. Miami has a back-loaded schedule. The Hurricanes have an opportunity to begin the season 5-0.

The Miami football team opens the season on September 1 versus Miami (Ohio). Miami hosts Texas A&M on September 9 followed by Bethune-Cookman on September 14 before traveling to Temple on September 23. The Hurricanes have a bye week before opening ACC play. Miami will host Georgia Tech on October 7.

Miami will be favored versus everyone but Texas A&M in its first five games. FanDuel lists Miami as a 17-point favorite in the season opener versus Miami (Ohio). Texas A&M is a 7.5-point favorite over Miami in week three. No other point spreads are published for Miami games by Fan Duel yet for this season.

Miami needs to get off to a good start with a favorable schedule to build confidence. After a 2-0 start in 2022, consecutive losses to Texas A&M, Middle Tennessee State and North Carolina sent Miami spirling to a 5-7 record. The favorable early season schedule should prevent a 2-3 start in 2023.

"9 Miami (Fla.)“This is a top-heavy slate with Clemson, Florida State and Texas A&M doing a lot of work to give the Hurricanes a decent strength of schedule rating. North Carolina, Louisville and NC State should provide this talented Miami roster some comparable opponents in conference play, but the bottom of the schedule serves as a nice cushion.Georgia Tech, Virginia and Boston College are favorable matchups, and the nonconference has Miami (OH), Bethune-Cookman and Temple.”"

Miami hosts Clemson on October 21, travels to Florida State on November 11 and as previously mentioned hosts Texas A&M on September 9. Texas A&M will be the most winnable game of the three for Miami. The 17-9 Miami loss at Texas A&M was largely attributable to three field goals and a loss on downs in four red zone trips.

North Carolina will be a challenge with four straight wins over Miami. North Carolina State and Louisville are frequently mentioned as ACC teams to watch. Georgia Tech and Virginia (October 28) are games at home Miami should win. At Boston College will be more challenging on November 24.

The majority of the Miami football players will not be used to what is likely to be a cold day in Chestnut Hill the day after Thanksgiving. Miami cannot afford losses to Miami (Ohio), Bethune-Cookman, or at Temple. The loss to Middle Tennessee in 2022 could be attributed as the game that kept Miami from a bowl berth.