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Miami will start the season facing one major challenge that nobody is talking about

Miami's first month comes with a travel and preparation challenge that could shape the season.
ByPatrick Previty|
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Nov 12, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Miami Hurricanes mascot Sebastian the Ibis cheers in the stands with fans against the Virginia Cavaliers in the fourth quarter at Scott Stadium. The Hurricanes won 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Miami Hurricanes mascot Sebastian the Ibis cheers in the stands with fans against the Virginia Cavaliers in the fourth quarter at Scott Stadium. The Hurricanes won 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Miami has seven home games on its 2026 schedule, but the Hurricanes' first month still comes with a travel and preparation challenge that could shape the season.

The schedule opens Friday, Sept. 4, at Stanford, sends Miami home for a Thursday night game against Florida A&M on Sept. 10, then puts the Hurricanes back on the road for a Friday night game at Wake Forest on Sept. 18. After hosting Central Michigan on Sept. 26, Miami then travels to Clemson on Oct. 3.

Miami has five games in 30 days, including three ACC road trips

The first matchup comes with a 3,014-mile trip to Northern California and a three-hour time change. The Stanford game will be the Hurricanes' first visit to Palo Alto and their second trip to California since Stanford and Cal joined the ACC.

Miami will play its first three games on Friday, Thursday and Friday before finally getting its first Saturday kickoff against Central Michigan. Stanford is scheduled for 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN, Florida A&M follows six days later at 8 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium and Wake Forest is set for 7:30 p.m. the following Friday in Winston-Salem.

The schedule leaves less room for a slow start, particularly after a season in which the Hurricanes did not leave Florida until November.

Travel across several time zones can disrupt sleep and recovery. Research on elite athletes has found that long-haul travel and jet lag can affect sleep, recovery and some physical-performance measures, although the effect on game results is harder to isolate because teams can manage travel differently. Miami has nearly a full week to reset after Stanford, but the coaches will need to plan ahead for the situation.

Miami will host Central Michigan before going to Memorial Stadium on Oct. 3, which gives the Hurricanes a normal Saturday-to-Saturday preparation cycle before Clemson. Miami should have the edge over the teams they play during the extensive travel, but when that is over, the Canes will matchup with a Tigers team that looks to bounce back from their 2025 season.

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