Miami Hurricanes: ACC Coastal preview
If it wasn't for Notre Dame sliding into the ACC last year, the Miami Hurricanes would likely have met Clemson in the ACC Championship. They could find their way to the ACC Coastal title if QB D'Eriq King is healthy.
The pairing of QB King and OC Rhett Lashler meshed well and the offense improved as the year went on. Their passing attack wasn't as powerful as it could have been with no balance from the ground game. The Hurricanes had 440 yards and 34 points per game, but those averages were boosted by poor opponents.
The ACC Coastal is weaker than the ACC Atlantic and Miami can make it to the ACC Championship with King if he is healthy after tearing his ACL in the Cheez-It Bowl last year. As for the defense, it suffered the loss of major productive players but the secondary can become the new powerhouse.
2021-2022 ACC Coastal preview: Miami Hurricanes
Miami's strength: The secondary returns lead tackler safety Bubba Bolden (74 tackles) and second-best tackler Amari Carter (53). The cornerbacks group consists of a rotation of solid contributors. DJ Ivey is an experienced, brute tackler and Tyrique Stevenson is a young future star.
Miami's weakness: The defensive line has lost a lot of talent.
Gregory Rousseau didn't even play for them in 2020 as he sat out. Jaelen Phillips and Quincy Roche combined for 12.5 sacks and 30 TFLs last year and were both drafted. Overall, Miami ranked 4th in the NCAA in TFLs last year. It'll be a test to remain a productive squad in 2021.
Miami Hurricanes Key Players: Offense
QB: D'Eriq King - King tore his ACL in the Cheez-It Bowl last season and is working to be ready for the first game. He transferred from Houston, where he had 2,982 passing yards, 36 TDs, 674 rushing yards and 14 TDs. With Miami in 2020, King had 2,686 passing yards for 23 TDs and 5 INTs and completed 64% of his passes.
WR: Charleston Rambo - He's a 6'1'' WR who originally played for Oklahoma. As a sophomore, Rambo had 43 catches for 743 yards and 5 TDs. His junior year saw a decline with 25 catches, 312 yards and 3 TDs. He will look to add a deep threat to King's arsenal.
Miami Hurricanes Key Players: Defense
S: Bubba Bolden - Bolden has great range and size but a troubling history of injuries. In 2020, he had a team-high 74 tackles and was given All-ACC honors. He is Miami's best defender and tackler.
DE: Deandre Johnson - Johnson is a transfer from Tennessee and will hope to be a playmaker to replace Phillips and Roche. Worst-case scenario: Johnson works in a rotation that's talented enough to make an impact.
2021-2022 Miami Hurricanes ACC schedule
Week 1: Saturday, September 4, vs Alabama
Week 2: Saturday, September 11, vs Appalachian State
Week 3: Saturday, September 18, vs Michigan State
Week 4: Saturday, September 25, vs Central Connecticut
Week 5: Thursday, September 30, vs Virginia
Week 6: Saturday, October 16, at UNC
Week 7: Saturday, October 23, vs NC State
Week 8: Saturday, October 30, at Pittsburgh
Week 9: Saturday, November 6, vs Georgia Tech
Week 10: Saturday, November 13, at Florida State
Week 11: Saturday, November 20, vs Virginia Tech
Week 12: Saturday, November 27, at Duke
2021-2022 Miami Hurricanes ACC prediction (10-2, 7-1 ACC)
If D'Eriq King is indeed ready to go for Alabama, they can run the table. NC State, UNC and Pitt could be a thorn in their side and they will lose to one of them. Miami should win the ACC Coastal to face Clemson. You can win the Coastal, but can you win the Championship?
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