National writer projects Miami football's make or break 2024 game
The Miami football game at Louisville on October 19 is considered the gauntlet part of the 2024 schedule with Florida State coming to Hard Rock Stadium on October 26. Andy Staples of On3 included Miami at Louisville in his "Pivot Point games: The matchups that can make or break your college football team’s season."
Louisville has won four of the last six games versus Miami dating to 2006. Miami was 8-0-1 versus Louisville before the Cardinals' run. There are a few other games that can be considered pivot points for Miami in 2024. The season opener at Florida will cause an overreaction from the losing fan base.
The game versus Florida State could guarantee Miami a berth in the ACC Championship game if the Hurricanes don't have any devastating losses. Miami enters the 2024 season as a favorite in every game except Florida State. A bye week before playing Louisville will come at a critical time in the 2024 season for Miami.
Miami hosts Florida A&M on September 7 in the home opener, Ball State a week later, travels to South Florida in the final non-conference game of the season and is at California before the bye week. Miami should be 2-0 in the ACC before playing at Louisville in October. Staples briefly previewed Miami at Louisville.
I've collected several of these power rankings to see the variations and similarities between them. I've included this latest one from @RJ_Young. I think most ACC teams are better than their power ranking, but hey, they gotta prove it on the field. https://t.co/73XatNZcze pic.twitter.com/6QMfgPjOMF
— Did The ACC Die Today? (@DidTheACCDie) August 12, 2024
"Now we reach the Pivot Point for the Hurricanes, who after Florida face a sneaky challenge at USF and a fairly tough ACC opener at home against Virginia Tech on Sept. 27.
- Andy Staples, On3
The trip to Louisville...comes in a critical spot. Louisville played for the ACC title last year and reloaded in the transfer portal. The Cardinals may be as much of (a) foil for Miami’s CFP dreams as the rival Seminoles. Miami probably has to at least split the Louisville-Florida State double to stay on track to make the ACC title game."
Louisville has the number one transfer portal class and Miami is 17th in the On3 team rankings. The Cardinals signed 31 transfers during the 2024 offseason. Miami signed 15. One transfer to watch will be edge rusher Tyler Baron. Baron participated in spring practice with Louisville before transferring to Miami.
Miami picked in ACC exactly where they were expected to be. Miami picked in ACC exactly where they were expected to be. dark. Next
Miami has a very manageable schedule after Florida State. Duke comes to Hard Rock Stadium on November 2, followed by a game at Georgia Tech, a bye week, then Wake Forest at home and the final regular season game at Syracuse. Miami should win those four games. The Hurricanes are in position as an ACC title contender.