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Canes Watch
Ranking the Hurricanes’ 2015 games from least to most difficult
By Matt Porter
It’s not unfair to say this is a make-or-break season for Al Golden at Miami. If the Hurricanes reach their goal of making the ACC championship game, Golden will be able to say the “process” he believes in works – and enjoy the spoils of one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. Another disappointing season and he could be looking for work elsewhere.
Let’s rank the matchups Golden will face in his fifth go-round in Coral Gables. Then, we’ll save you a click by borrowing from our (long) schedule analysis post from January (we’ve added a little to it, too).
RELATED: Scouting the Hurricanes’ 2015 opponents
RANKING THE GAMES
12. Bethune-Cookman, Sept. 5
Why: The Wildcats aren’t your average FCS outfit – they went 9-3 last year, including a win over FIU – and, as usual, bring to town plenty of talented South Florida players motivated about playing the hometown school that didn’t recruit them. This game should not be difficult for the Hurricanes.
11. at Florida Atlantic, Sept. 11
Why: Similar to above, but a slight step up in talent. Huge game for FAU, which welcomes an FBS opponent to its four-year-old stadium for the first time. With all the Canes fans there, the Owls won’t feel at quite at home.
10. Virginia, Nov. 7
Why: Miami always seems to have a tough time with Mike London’s crew, but he’s on a hotter seat than Golden this year. A ridiculous non-conference schedule that includes UCLA (on the road), Notre Dame and Boise State could beat up the Cavaliers, who also face Pitt and Georgia Tech before getting Miami in November.
9. at Duke, Oct. 31
Why: Tough offseason for the Blue Devils, which lost starting middle linebacker Kelby Brown and (on Wednesday) corner Byron Fields to season-ending knee injuries. After injuries in the backfield, they had to move third-string quarterback Nico Pierre to tailback for depth. Maybe Duke will be healthier come Halloween. Miami, after a run of FSU, Virginia Tech and Clemson in successive weeks, will hope not.
8. at Cincinnati, Oct. 1
Why: The Bearcats, the preseason favorite to win the American Athletic Conference, will test UM’s defense. They return a quarterback (Gunner Kiel) who threw for 3,254 yards, 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions; his starting receivers, an offensive line with 76 starts. UM should have opportunities against a leaky defense, but this won’t be easy, especially in Cincy’s newly refurbished Nippert Stadium.
7. at North Carolina, Nov. 14
Why: Potentially, a tough offense and an improving defense. Quarterback Marquise Williams can hurt UM via the air or ground, has two quality receivers in Quinshad Davis and Ryan Switzer (a major threat in the return game) and works behind the ACC’s most experienced offensive line. UNC’s defense was on par with Miami’s 2012 defense, finishing 120th in yards allowed, but new defensive coordinator Gene Chizik may have found a few answers at this point in the season.
6. at Pittsburgh, Nov. 27
Why: James Conner, mostly, and Tyler Boyd. The ACC’s best back-receiver combo should make for tough sledding for UM’s defense. Boyd put up 262 total yards against the listless Canes last year, and only seven major-conference players had more all-purpose plays of 30-plus yards. Conner is the reigning ACC player of the year and just now, as you’re reading this, bowled someone over for a touchdown. If UM is again disinterested, this could get ugly.
5. Nebraska, Sept. 19
Why: Ameer Abdullah and Randy Gregory are in the NFL now, but Miami should be more thankful they won’t see De’Mornay Pierson-El. He’s likely to be out until October with an injured foot, taking away one of the nation’s most dangerous special teams weapons. Kick and punt coverage was poor for Miami, especially early in the season, so not facing a guy who had a pair of 80-yard returns as a freshman is a major plus. That said, there’s plenty of skill left over. It remains to be seen if coach Mike Riley is an upgrade over Bo “Nine Wins Every Year” Pelini, but he did a fine job of getting his playmakers the ball at Oregon State.
4. Virginia Tech, Oct. 17
Why: The Canes will be licking their wounds, or riding high after making a major statement. The week after Florida State has been a tricky one for Miami from a mental standpoint, and this Hokies defense won’t let them rest. Outstanding defensive line, outstanding secondary. We’ll see here how “together” the Canes really are.
3. Georgia Tech, Nov. 21
Why: Paul Johnson’s dang option offense, and Justin Thomas. The Yellow Jackets give everyone fits, and with Thomas running the show behind a seemingly capable offensive line, they might pitch, keep and dive their way to another Coastal title.
2. Clemson, Oct. 24
Why: Deshaun Watson could be the best player Miami faces all season, and he has a boatload of scary-good receivers. If he’s healthy, the Tigers are the favorite to knock off FSU and win the league, even with a shaky offensive line, a less-than-efficient run game and a ton of turnover on defense. Why? Talent. Few coaching staffs have recruited better than Clemson, so few staffs have more to work with.
1. at Florida State, Oct. 10
Why: Unless FSU takes a major step backward, this game will always be the most difficult on Miami’s schedule. Given it’s in Tallahassee and the ACC opener — and, of course, the fact Al Golden hasn’t beaten the Noles in four tries — means the pressure will be higher than usual.
* * *
- See more at: Ranking the Hurricanes? 2015 games from least to most difficult | Canes Watch
Ranking the Hurricanes’ 2015 games from least to most difficult
By Matt Porter
It’s not unfair to say this is a make-or-break season for Al Golden at Miami. If the Hurricanes reach their goal of making the ACC championship game, Golden will be able to say the “process” he believes in works – and enjoy the spoils of one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. Another disappointing season and he could be looking for work elsewhere.
Let’s rank the matchups Golden will face in his fifth go-round in Coral Gables. Then, we’ll save you a click by borrowing from our (long) schedule analysis post from January (we’ve added a little to it, too).
RELATED: Scouting the Hurricanes’ 2015 opponents
RANKING THE GAMES
12. Bethune-Cookman, Sept. 5
Why: The Wildcats aren’t your average FCS outfit – they went 9-3 last year, including a win over FIU – and, as usual, bring to town plenty of talented South Florida players motivated about playing the hometown school that didn’t recruit them. This game should not be difficult for the Hurricanes.
11. at Florida Atlantic, Sept. 11
Why: Similar to above, but a slight step up in talent. Huge game for FAU, which welcomes an FBS opponent to its four-year-old stadium for the first time. With all the Canes fans there, the Owls won’t feel at quite at home.
10. Virginia, Nov. 7
Why: Miami always seems to have a tough time with Mike London’s crew, but he’s on a hotter seat than Golden this year. A ridiculous non-conference schedule that includes UCLA (on the road), Notre Dame and Boise State could beat up the Cavaliers, who also face Pitt and Georgia Tech before getting Miami in November.
9. at Duke, Oct. 31
Why: Tough offseason for the Blue Devils, which lost starting middle linebacker Kelby Brown and (on Wednesday) corner Byron Fields to season-ending knee injuries. After injuries in the backfield, they had to move third-string quarterback Nico Pierre to tailback for depth. Maybe Duke will be healthier come Halloween. Miami, after a run of FSU, Virginia Tech and Clemson in successive weeks, will hope not.
8. at Cincinnati, Oct. 1
Why: The Bearcats, the preseason favorite to win the American Athletic Conference, will test UM’s defense. They return a quarterback (Gunner Kiel) who threw for 3,254 yards, 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions; his starting receivers, an offensive line with 76 starts. UM should have opportunities against a leaky defense, but this won’t be easy, especially in Cincy’s newly refurbished Nippert Stadium.
7. at North Carolina, Nov. 14
Why: Potentially, a tough offense and an improving defense. Quarterback Marquise Williams can hurt UM via the air or ground, has two quality receivers in Quinshad Davis and Ryan Switzer (a major threat in the return game) and works behind the ACC’s most experienced offensive line. UNC’s defense was on par with Miami’s 2012 defense, finishing 120th in yards allowed, but new defensive coordinator Gene Chizik may have found a few answers at this point in the season.
6. at Pittsburgh, Nov. 27
Why: James Conner, mostly, and Tyler Boyd. The ACC’s best back-receiver combo should make for tough sledding for UM’s defense. Boyd put up 262 total yards against the listless Canes last year, and only seven major-conference players had more all-purpose plays of 30-plus yards. Conner is the reigning ACC player of the year and just now, as you’re reading this, bowled someone over for a touchdown. If UM is again disinterested, this could get ugly.
5. Nebraska, Sept. 19
Why: Ameer Abdullah and Randy Gregory are in the NFL now, but Miami should be more thankful they won’t see De’Mornay Pierson-El. He’s likely to be out until October with an injured foot, taking away one of the nation’s most dangerous special teams weapons. Kick and punt coverage was poor for Miami, especially early in the season, so not facing a guy who had a pair of 80-yard returns as a freshman is a major plus. That said, there’s plenty of skill left over. It remains to be seen if coach Mike Riley is an upgrade over Bo “Nine Wins Every Year” Pelini, but he did a fine job of getting his playmakers the ball at Oregon State.
4. Virginia Tech, Oct. 17
Why: The Canes will be licking their wounds, or riding high after making a major statement. The week after Florida State has been a tricky one for Miami from a mental standpoint, and this Hokies defense won’t let them rest. Outstanding defensive line, outstanding secondary. We’ll see here how “together” the Canes really are.
3. Georgia Tech, Nov. 21
Why: Paul Johnson’s dang option offense, and Justin Thomas. The Yellow Jackets give everyone fits, and with Thomas running the show behind a seemingly capable offensive line, they might pitch, keep and dive their way to another Coastal title.
2. Clemson, Oct. 24
Why: Deshaun Watson could be the best player Miami faces all season, and he has a boatload of scary-good receivers. If he’s healthy, the Tigers are the favorite to knock off FSU and win the league, even with a shaky offensive line, a less-than-efficient run game and a ton of turnover on defense. Why? Talent. Few coaching staffs have recruited better than Clemson, so few staffs have more to work with.
1. at Florida State, Oct. 10
Why: Unless FSU takes a major step backward, this game will always be the most difficult on Miami’s schedule. Given it’s in Tallahassee and the ACC opener — and, of course, the fact Al Golden hasn’t beaten the Noles in four tries — means the pressure will be higher than usual.
* * *
- See more at: Ranking the Hurricanes? 2015 games from least to most difficult | Canes Watch
