Miami Hurricanes’ 2024 schedule review: How many games will UM win, lose, trap games?

Miami Hurricanes football is primed for its best season in several years, good enough to reach double-digit victories for the first time since 2017, when UM won 10 in a row before dropping the last three to go from No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings to irrelevant.

This year, with the CFP expanding to 12 teams, the Hurricanes are stacked and their schedule is, for the most part, kind. But not kind enough for an undefeated regular season. The Canes only leave the state four times, they escape cold weather (Syracuse plays indoors) and they should win every road game except one. My prediction, as crazy as it sounds given UM’s penchant for losing games that leave their fans crazed: 11-1.

2024 SCHEDULE/PROJECTIONS

▪ Aug. 31 at Florida (3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN3): Nothing like beating the Gators in The Swamp, otherwise known as Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. Buoyed by an impressive offense, new UM star quarterback Cam Ward will say hello in style, the Canes will prevail and UF coach Billy Napier will be under nearly unbearable pressure. The Swamp volume (at least initially) will be deafening, and should Miami falter, the season will be an uphill battle. Miami 31-24.

▪ Sept. 7 vs. FCS Florida A&M (6 p.m. ACCNX): Did you know that in 1979 the Hurricanes lost to FAMU and the late, great Howard Schnellenberger? It won’t be a repeat in UM’s home opener. The last time these teams met, Miami won 70-3 to open the 2016 season. Expect Miami to unveil lots of young talent on this night, as well as transfers seeking to make their mark. Miami 55-7.

▪ Sept. 14 vs Ball State (3:30 p.m. ACCN): It’s the first meeting between the Canes and Cardinals — and first of two Cardinal squads Miami plays in 2024. Ball State finished 4-8 last season and has only one starter returning on defense. Miami 41-7.

▪ Sept. 21 at USF (TBA): The Bulls have a very good coach in Alex Golesch, a 2022 Broyles Award finalist (offensive coordinator, Tennessee). He led the Bulls in 2023 – his first season there – to a six-win improvement. Note that USF has two former UM stars on the coaching staff: Kevin Patrick (defensive line) and DeMarcus Van Dyke (cornerbacks). The Bulls also have a talented dual-threat quarterback in Byrum Brown. This could be a trap road game, but UM should nonetheless prevail. Miami 24-21.

▪ Sept. 27 vs. Virginia Tech (7:30 p.m. ESPN): The Hurricanes have won the past three games against once-powerful, but now struggling VT. The Hokies’ records the past four seasons: 5-6, 6-7, 3-8, 7-6. The Canes win at Hard Rock in their ACC opener. Miami 28-21.

▪ Oct. 5 at Cal Berkeley (TBA): Miami will travel 3,000 miles, then defeat the Golden Bears in UM’s first meeting with Cal since it joined the ACC. The last time these teams met, Cal defeated UM 24-17 in the 2008 Emerald Bowl. UM should survive the time change and the Bears, but this could be a trap road game, as well. Miami 31-28.

▪ Oct. 19 at Louisville (TBA): Here’s where it gets dicey for Miami. UM notoriously struggles after open weeks, and this won’t be a good time for that. The Cardinals, ACC contenders, beat UM 38-31 last season in Coral Gables after trailing 28-23 heading into the fourth quarter. Louisville 24-20.

▪ Oct. 26 vs. Florida State (TBA): This one could make the difference between 11-1 and 10-2 for the Hurricanes. The Canes fell 27-20 last season in a dramatic game in Tallahassee, where true freshman quarterback Emory Williams got the start and severely injured his left arm late in the fourth quarter. This time, it’s Cam Ward starting for the Canes against former Clemson starter DJ Uiagalelei, who beat UM 40-10 at Clemson in 2022. This game is a tossup, but I’m giving it to the home team. Miami 28-27.

▪ Nov. 2 vs. Duke (TBA): No Canes fan should miss this game, the homecoming of former UM head coach and Miami native Manny Diaz, who was fired to allow Mario Cristobal to get his dream job as Miami head coach. Miami couldn’t lose this one, right? Miami 34-14.

▪ Nov. 9 at Georgia Tech (TBA): We all remember the nightmare “Take a knee!” game, in which Cristobal failed to do just that. The Canes proceeded to crumble and lose in the game’s closing seconds. No way that’s happening again, but the Yellow Jackets have a good offense. Miami 41-20.

▪ Nov. 23 vs. Wake Forest (TBA): Miami has won the past seven games against the Demon Deacons, with Wake’s last win against the Hurricanes in 1944. The streak continues. Miami 38-14.

▪ Nov. 30 at Syracuse (TBA): The Orange have a dangerous returning running back in LeQuint Allen (1,064 rushing yards and nine touchdowns), who surpassed 100 yards in seven games last season, and also led Syracuse with 38 catches. But he’s not enough to beat Miami in the regular-season finale. Miami 45-13.