Miami enters tomorrow's game against Central Florida at 2-3 and 0-2 in the ACC. The Hurricanes are a bad team right now. I have predicted a losing record each of the last two seasons and sadly the team has confirmed my worst fears about their lack of quality and talent. I am also sadly fearful that we have not reached the bottom yet: much like the current economic cycle the worst is likely yet to come.
Let's look at the remaining UM schedule.
Michael Greco grew up a Hurricanes fan but was not recruited by Larry Coker. Without Kevin Smith UCF's running attack has been stale and the defense porous. Still this team took South Florida, a team that would blow Miami out of the building to overtime.
Chances of a Miami victory: 65%
David Cutcliffe has instilled a new attitude at Duke and in Thaddeus Lewis, the Canes will face a south Florida bred QB Larry Coker did not recruit for the second straight week. The Blue Devils don't have the speed the Canes do but have in large part due to Lewis come close to scoring the upset the last two years. A Duke win this season would not be an upset.
Chances of a Miami victory: 50%
Jim Grobe has the best defense in the league and with Riley Skinner the most accomplished QB in the ACC pulling the stings on offense it's tough to see Miami win this game. Besides, the Canes have had trouble with misdirection plays and gimmick offenses. The Canes have more speed than Wake, but so does Florida State and they have lost three in a row to the Deacons. Miami becomes the fourth straight ACC victim from the state of Florida for Grobe's team in all likelihood.
Chance of a Miami victory: 35%
The team that crushed Miami 48-0 last year is gone with the exception of running back Cedric Pearman. The Cavs defense has been shaky all year long but the offense seems to be finally coming together. But Miami does have the sort of athletes that could punish a Virginia team that is clearly rebuilding after being solid for the last several seasons. This game being at Scott Stadium could make the difference, but Miami could also win this game.
Chance of a Miami victory: 50%
Are you kidding? The Hokies are finally playing the way they are capable of and Tyrod Taylor is evolving as a passer. Miami's front seven is in for a long night under the lights at a stadium not known as the OB. However, the Hokie defense to me has been subpar by Bud Foster's established standard and that could keep the Canes in the game.
Chance of a Miami victory: 30%This game is already in the loss column as far as I am concerned. I fully expect the Yellow Jackets to be the best team in the ACC in the very near future. Paul Johnson's offense is difficult enough to stop if you know what you are doing and have experience on defense. It is darn near impossible to stop if you are as bad as Miami's D. Throw in the fact that Georgia Tech has owned Miami recently and this game has the potential of being quite ugly.
Chance of a Miami victory: 5%
Miami's best chance for victory in the ACC comes on the road in the last game of the season. This game could be meaningless by the time its played with both teams quite possibly searching for their first ACC win. I'm still trying to figure out why Tom O'Brien left Chestnut Hill. I think Miami wins this one.
Chance of Miami victory: 55%So essentially just to be bowl eligible Miami is going to have to win both games they are clear favorites in and also win both toss up games on the schedule. Even that does not ensure anything as the ACC could have as many as nine bowl eligible teams this year and only seven bowl slots.
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