Written By: Nathan Skinner
Canes Rising Contributor
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| Can the 'Canes run through this year's upgraded schedule? (Photo Credit: University of Miami) |
Out of Conference Games (OOC)
Major Games in italics
@Nebraska
Cincinnati
Arkansas State
FAMU
Nebraska is by far, the biggest game in this group. Ignore the history and animosity between the two programs, think about the present. Two rebuilding programs, with two coaches desperate for a momentum building win. If the Canes lose to new ACC member Louisville, this game takes on even more meaning. Golden and Co. cannot afford to drop the first two major games of the season, especially a nationally televised game against a program that Miami may be favored against. A win against Nebraska will serve as a springboard into the rest of the schedule. Cincinnati is a team that is vastly different than the one Brian Kelly led to the Sugar Bowl, but it is still a major conference team, albeit in the laughably weak American Athletic Conference. It will be a homecoming for former Miami assistant Tommy Tuberville. I expect Miami to beat Nebraska and Cincinnati, but it won't be easy to win in Lincoln.
People may think this OOC slate is weak, but those people are forgetting that Arkansas State is a solid midmajor program. ASU has taken huge steps under their previous coaches Hugh Freeze, Gus Malzahn, and Bryan Harsin. Malzahn and Freeze now coach in the SEC, and Harsin is the new sheriff at Boise State. The Canes will be favorites, but this game should be a game for at least a half. FAMU is FAMU.
ACC Conference Games
Major Games in italics
@Louisville
Duke
@Georgia Tech
@Virginia Tech
Florida State
North Carolina
@Virginia
Pittsburgh
Labor Day will be a huge game, a hot start would go a long way to making this season a successful one. That said, it will be extremely tough for the Canes, likely with a young signal caller to walk out of Papa John's Stadium with a victory. That said, a loss in this game wouldn't ruin the 'Canes hopes of a division title. That said, a loss to Duke, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, or UNC may very well do that. 'Cane Fans: Duke isn't a one year wonder. They are well coached by David Cutcliffe, and because they rarely have elite talent, they tend to be very upperclassmen dependent. Experience is something that can help less talented teams beat superior teams.
Georgia Tech is the most winnable game out of the "Major" games. The key to beating Georgia Tech hasn't changed in a long time, and the 'Canes have the playmakers to turn this game into a track meet. If that happens, Georgia Tech doesn't have the athletes, and they don't have a scheme that will allow them to keep pace with our elite talent in the offensive skill positions. The key will be whether the Miami D can play assignment football, splatter the fullback dive, and effectively tackle on the edge. Virginia Tech has been a nightmare for this program ever since The U was placed on NCAA probation in the late 90s. Blacksburg, on a Thursday night is a tough place to play, but Miami will have had extra time to prepare. This is an example of a well placed open date. That extra time to prepare gives Miami a slight edge, but this game is one that is a tossup.
North Carolina has been a team that has underachieved, when you look at the talent that they've had over the last 5 years. This UNC team is going to be very solid, they got fairly hot to finish last season, winning 6 of their last 7. UNC won't have Ebron, but that shouldn't stop this team from being able to provide a stiff challenge. FSU is always the one game that is circled on the Miami schedule. This year, it carries even more urgency, due to the fact that Miami hasn't beaten FSU since 2009. The 'Noles are defending National Champions, with a returning Heisman winner, and a team that is stacked. It's a rivalry game, anything can happen, a win would be very big for the Miami program. That said, don't be shocked if the Canes lose a squeaker.
Virginia and Pitt are programs that are rebuilding, and are teams that Miami should beat. That said, the 'Canes have struggled against UVa, a program that rarely, if ever has comparable talent to Miami. I wouldn't be shocked if the Hoos make a game of it for a half, but I'd be very disappointed if Virginia found a way to upset the 'Canes.
The 2014 schedule is one that has a ton of questions, just like the team that will be tasked with conquering it. There's one game on the schedule in which the 'Canes will be heavy underdogs(FSU), the rest of the games are either games in which Miami will be favored, or slight underdogs. We will learn a lot about the direction of the program from this schedule. It will challenge the team, and it will test this coaching staff. Can this staff keep this team motivated if they drop a game to a talented Louisville or Nebraska team? Can this staff find a way to make sure this team doesn't lose a game to a team they shouldn't? We will find out the answers to those questions soon. There's no reason why this Miami team can't navigate this schedule and end up playing for an ACC title. The talent is there, this is year four of a rebuild. #FullSpeedAhead has to start being more than a hashtag, it has to start meaning progress. On-field progress, progress that can be sold to recruits, and to an impatient, divided fanbase.
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