Is Miami back? It’s the question the football universe has been asking for the last 5-6 years or so. The Hurricanes have enjoyed some continuity under what seems to be a good head coach in Al Golden, and recruiting has picked up nicely under him as well. A talented but young team in 2012, the Hurricanes are a year older and, one would think, more dangerous.
The Hurricanes pounded FAU 34-6 last Friday, and they earned a spot in the USA TODAY poll at No. 24 for their efforts (the AP ranking has eluded them since Nov. 20, 2010). But it took them awhile to get going as they self-sabotaged repeatedly with penalties and mistakes early. They still won comfortably, slightly more comfortably than No. 12 Florida’s win over Toledo last Saturday (24-6).
Miami has not hosted the Florida since 2003, and haven’t even played them since 2008. A lot has changed since then — a few mediocre seasons later, Randy Shannon was fired and Al Golden hired in 2011. In Golden’s first year, when the Hurricanes beat two ranked teams but went just 6-6 on the season (3-5 ACC).
Last season, the Hurricanes showed flashes but went 0-3 against ranked opponents, losing those games by an average of 30 points. That’s not Miami.
The Hurricanes need this one. It would be a significant win, helping to prove that last year’s team was just a bit too young to take the next step, rather than that Miami is just going to be consistently mediocre for years to come. Another 7-5 type season is not going to cut it with this group.
Florida’s offense looked as pedestrian in the opener as it did last season, but the Gators do not make mistakes. Miami’s defense is going to have to show that its strong performance in Week 1 wasn’t just a product of FAU being terrible. Miami’s offense couldn’t move the ball against elite teams last year, but if The U is back, it will this week.
Prediction: Florida, 31-27.
When: 3:30 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Scott Stadium
Breakdown: I don’t know what’s more exciting about this game, wondering what uniform Oregon will wear or ... no, that’s basically it. Virginia looked good against BYU last weekend, but Oregon is a different beast. A magical beast that is fueled by touchdowns and sparkly things.
Prediction: Oregon, 49-17.
When: 6:00 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Ryan Field
Breakdown: Syracuse is going to need more from quarterback Drew Allen than it got last week against Penn State. Northwestern’s win at Cal was impressive and the Wildcats are the real deal. Northwestern’s defense will be ready, too — Cal ran 99 plays against them last weekend (!). Syracuse drops to 0-2 in the ACC/Big 10 Football Challenge that only Syracuse is in.
Prediction: Northwestern, 34-24.
When: 8:00 p.m. (Friday)Where: Alumni Stadium
Breakdown: Friday night. Primetime. National television. Which of these teams will compete for a spot 3rd-5th in the Atlantic Division? Which will fall to the bottom? TUNE IN TO FIND OUT! Seriously, both teams had their shaky moments last week against bad teams, and we should at least learn more about how far each has come after struggling some last year.
Prediction: Wake Forest, 23-21.
When: 4:30 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Breakdown: Memphis hasn’t played a game yet, so Duke has NO IDEA what they’re up against without film to study. Not really. But keep an eye on Memphis redshirt freshman QB Paxton Lynch, who won the job from a redshirt senior in camp.
Prediction: Duke, 37-24.
When: 12:30 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Kenan Stadium
Breakdown: The Tar Heels should get back on track after a tough loss last weekend. Moving the ball should seem easy — or certainly, easier — against the MTSU defense compared to South Carolina’s, and the Tar Heels are simply just more talented across the board. But all you really need to know about this game is that MTSU head coach Rick Stockstill released his favorite 75 songs via Twitter over a 75-day span this summer. You’re welcome.
Prediction: North Carolina, 52-16.
When: 12:30 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Clemson Memorial Stadium
Breakdown: Is a breakdown really necessary here? Clemson could be looking ahead a week, two weeks, heck, even all the way ahead to the ACC title game and it would still win this game by 30. But it will be exciting to see the Tigers back in action after their huge win last weekend, and perhaps Tajh Boyd can pad his Heisman-caliber stats a bit in Week 2.
Prediction: Clemson, 59-3.
When: 1:30 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Lane Stadium
Breakdown: Similar to North Carolina, this game should feel a lot easier for Virginia Tech after it faced off against No. 1 Alabama last weekend. And the Hokies could really use a confidence-booster. They showed some bright spots against ‘Bama, but they need to shore up some of the areas that were an issue. Like passing.
Prediction: Virginia Tech, 48-6.
When: 4:00 p.m.Where: Byrd Stadium
Breakdown: Maryland is scoring points now! Weird what happens when eight quarterbacks don’t go down in one year. Old Dominion can score some points too, but Maryland’s defense looks to be close to the same unit that was in the top 25 nationally in 2012 in spite of having no supporting offense. With an offense to go with it? Watch out.
Prediction: Maryland, 59-24.
When: 6:00 p.m. (Saturday)Where: Carter-Finley Stadium
Breakdown: Richmond has traditionally been one of the friskier FCS programs, particularly in recent years, but N.C. State shouldn’t have too many problems here. The Wolfpack does, however, need to figure out how to adjust to life without quarterback Brandon Mitchell, who is out 4-6 weeks with a broken foot. Expect head coach Dave Doeren and his offensive staff to have made quite a few tweaks in the last week or so.
Prediction: N.C. State, 43-17.
Last week’s record: 12-1 (1-0 ACC)Season record: 12-1 (1-0 ACC)
