National Analyst asks can Miami football win 10 games in 2024

As part of the biggest question on who will be the most improved teams in college football in 2024, Josh Pate of 247Sports asked if the Miami football team can win three more games in 2024 than they did during a 7-6 season in 2023. Pate discussed a few subjects related to the 2024 Miami season.

Pate went into detail about why Miami should be improved this season. Roster upgrades, specifically the addition of Cam Ward at quarterback, the stability of coordinators Shannon Dawson and Lance Guidry returning and tight end Elijah Arroyo being healthy were the points that Pate made why Miami should be improved in 2024.

The projections for the 2024 Miami football team improved significantly with the addition of Ward. Miami will build the foundation of their 2024 team around Ward. Ward provides Miami with a more versatile and dynamic quarterback. A stout offensive line and the return of the top two Miami receivers will help

Miami returns left tackle Jalen Rivers, right guard Anez Cooper and right tackle Francis Mauigoa as starters on the OL. Indiana transfer Zach Carpenter will be the starting center replacing Matt Lee. Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George return as Miami's top two receivers after breakout 2023 seasons.

"What about Miami?...They improved. They went 7-6 last year. The question is could they add three wins onto that? I think you may be surprised to know that Miami's over-under win total at Fanduel's9.5. Like odds makers have them up there. So to go over they literally have to add three wins onto last year's total. There are so many roster upgrades here, so many I'm not going to break down position unit by position unit. They bring back both coordinators. That's very valuable. Cam Ward will be very good for them, just take my word on that...Elijah Arroyo is a name that I mentioned a lot last year at tight end and then he got hurt so he didn't get to shine. I have all my Elijah Arroyo stock...I did not sell it, still holding on to it. He's still there. I believe I believe Miami could be in the conversation. They open at the swamp. How pressure-packed is that game? How intense from a national standpoint? Because a lot of you are so sadistic and you want to see that negativity seep in for someone in week one? Well, it will. It, especially if Florida were to lose that game, it will...You don't have to wait long. August 31st. I haven't even named our tour for this fall, mainly because I outsourced that to you and I don't know where we'll be (in) week one. But I know that game is on the radar which would mean two years in a row we've been to a Florida game in week one that's not official. "

- Josh Pate, 247Sports

The over for Miami at 9.5 wins is plus 128 and the under is minus 158 by FanDuel. The consensus is that Miami has a favorable 2024 schedule. Miami doesn't play Clemson and hosts Florida State. The opening game of the 2024 season at Florida should set the tone for Miami for the rest of the year.

Dawson and Guidry's units improved in 2023 but can continue to develop in 2024. Miami will have a deeper and healthier DL in 2024. Rueben Bain is coming off of a dominant 2023 season that culminated in being named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. Nyjalik Kelly and Akheem Mesidor return from injuries that ended their 2023 seasons.

Arroyo has missed most of the last two seasons with a knee injury. Spring practice reports have been positive for Arroyo. Arroyo has 11 receptions for 163 yards and a touchdown in three seasons. In 2023, Arroyo had one reception for 11 yards. After underperformance from its TEs in 2023, expect Arroyo to be a key contributor in 2024.

Miami enters another season with high expectations. Several way too early top 25s have Miami included. After a 12-13 record in the first two seasons under Mario Cristobal, the Hurricanes will be expected to break through in 2024. Cristobal has upgraded the talent on the roster. Miami has to match that on the field.