Miami Hurricanes Win Season Prediction
Most Miami alum will tell you that the “U” will never be back until the Hurricanes win, or at least compete, for a national championship. That said, even if the ‘Canes aren’t officially back, are they set up to win double-digit games this upcoming season?
The Odds
According to oddsmakers, the Hurricanes’ over/under for wins in the 2018 regular season has been set at 9.5. The over has odds of 1/1, while the under has odds of 10/13. (Check out national championship futures odds.)
Last Season
The Hurricanes rattled off 10 straight wins to jump into the national title conversation but then collapsed down the stretch. Losses at Pitt, to No. 1 Clemson in the ACC title game, then a 34-24 loss to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl dampened what was otherwise an excellent second season under head coach Mark Richt.
Upcoming Schedule
Miami plays LSU right out of the gates on Sunday, September 2 but then has three beatable non-conference foes in Savannah State, Toledo and Florida International. Conference play starts with back-to-back home games against North Carolina and Florida State, then Virginia is the first conference road test of the season. In fact, the most daunting part about the Hurricanes’ schedule this season is that the team will play four road games in five weeks, with trips to Virginia, Boston College, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech flanking an early-season home game against Duke. Like last year, Miami will wrap up its season against Pitt, only that game will be at home this season. (Check out every team’s schedule at our College Football Scoreboard & Matchup page.)
Our Season Prediction
The ‘Canes have as much talent as anyone on its schedule, which includes LSU and Florida State. Richt has done an excellent job recruiting in his first three years, although quarterback remains a wild card entering this season. Malik Rosier led the ‘Canes to 10 straight wins last season but there were a handful of times that he had to overcome poor play with a mad frenzy in the fourth quarter. It’ll be interesting to see if redshirt freshman N’Kosi Perry receives an opportunity to unseat Rosier at some point, although Rosier has a stronghold of the job at the moment.
Nevertheless, Miami’s defense under Manny Diaz will once again be outstanding and the team will have plenty of opportunities to bust out the “Turnover Chain” in 2018. Given how Clemson is not on Miami’s schedule this season and that LSU and FSU are somewhat rebuilding, I like the ‘Canes to win at least 10 games again this season.
College Football Regular Season Win Total Prediction: Miami Hurricanes over 9.5 wins