Which of us hit the bullseye on our predictions
At the start of every season, State of the U writers and contributors will weigh in on a slew of big questions plus offer their predictions for the season. The big questions were divided into a Part 1, a Part 2, and a Predictions post.
August seems like a long time ago, but several SotU’ers hit the nail on the head in our predictions. So who amongst us was a true Nostradamus?
Preseason Question 1: What are your expectations for year 3 of the Mario Cristobal era?
What Actually Happened: The Hurricanes showed significant improvement in Year 3 of the Cristobal era, but fell just short of the ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff. Ten wins felt like a let down after starting 9-0 and ranked in the Top 5. Despite falling just short of its postseason goals, Miami felt ‘back’ in at least one metric: national attention. Even though Miami was constantly playing unranked teams, the nation constantly tuned in to watch Heisman Finalist Cam Ward lead the number 1 offense in the nation.
Best Preseason Prediction: Mike Schiffman
To make me not want to turn off a Miami game before it’s over. I bailed on a few games over the last couple seasons, and with good reason. Thankfully, the Canes seem to have improved the talent on both sides of the ball enough to make them more interesting and fun to watch. If Cam Ward stays healthy and plays like his capable of playing, I won’t miss a single minute of game action in 2024.
Preseason Question 2: What do you expect from the offense in year 2 under Shannon Dawson?
What Actually Happened: This was the Cam Ward show every time Shannon Dawson’s unit took the field. While Ward had a head scratcher here and there, the gunslinger’s risk was almost always worth the reward. Even though Ward and his number one target Xavier Restrepo led the way for Hurricane honors (and broken records), the backfield proved to be a deep and formidable compliment to the passing game. This was the nation’s number 1 offense and will be remembered by Canes fans for years to come.
Best Preseason Prediction: Marsh Thomas
I think this offense is about to put on a show. For the first time in I don’t know how long, every phase of this offense has proven talent around it. Cam Ward at QB, Damien Martinez and others at RB, Restrepo, George and Brown forming a scary trio at receiver, then finally, the offensive line. I’ve been waiting years for an offensive line like this, and I believe they’re going to be even better than they were in 2023 as a unit. I don’t see a reason why this offense can’t average 35+ per game.
Preseason Question 3: Speaking of offense, what do you expect from new QB Cam Ward?
What Actually Happened: Miami had its first Heisman Finalist since Ken Dorsey, and Ward was the leading vote-getter for All-ACC honors. Ward played close to flawless most games, if we can forget about a few cross-body ducks lofted into the middle of the field and a game-ending strip sack at Georgia Tech. A few times Ward was called upon, and managed, to pull off some heroic comebacks. His draft stock skyrocketed this past year and it seems like he has a real shot at being the number 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Best Preseason Prediction: Cam Underwood
I expect the performance of a top 5 returning QB in the country. Ward is dynamic as a thrower, a nightmare for defenses with his escapability, and he has many weapons at his disposal this year. This is the best collection of talent he’s played with, and I expect that to help him elevate his game from it’s already-lofty status.
The thing I need to see improve from Ward this year are the turnovers. Specifically, the fumbles. 12 fumbles and 8 fumbles lost last year is not sustainable. Those kind of numbers will cost you games. Now, I know some of them came because he was surround by a terrible OL and running for his life to try to make a play, but no matter the cause, the number of fumbles MUST decrease by 80% or more. We’ve seen Miami QBs with turnover issues (sup, TVD?) and the negative effect that’s had on the team, and the W/L record. This is why Ward’s fumble issues (he’s only thrown INTs on 1.6% of his throws over the last 2 seasons, which is a number I’ll accept) need to be fixed immediately, if not sooner.
Preseason Question 4: Which offensive position is the strongest for Miami in 2024?
What Actually Happened: Incredibly, every position on offense earned All-ACC honors. Cam Ward (QB) was first-team; Damien Martinez (RB) was honorable mention; Xavier Restrepo (WR) was first-team while Jacolby George (WR) was honorable mention; Elijah Arroyo (TE) was second-team; and Francis Mauigoa (OT) was second-team while Jalen Rivers (OT), Anez Cooper (OG), and Zach Carpenter (C) were honorable mention. Every position demonstrated improved depth, but Cristobal’s recruiting on the offensive line appears to have paid the most dividends. We all know that Miami led the nation in yards gained and points scored, but did you also know that the Canes were 7th in the nation in tackles for losses allowed and was one of 44 teams not to allow a blocked kick this season? All this despite facing the several injuries throughout the season including Jalen Rivers, Anez Cooper, and Ryan Rodriguez all appearing on the injury reports.
Best Preseason Prediction: Cam Underwood
Definitely the offensive line. It’s taken a few years, some great recruiting, and good player development, but the OL has gone from a major liability to a top-tier strength. Multiple guys on this unit will be NFL players, and they look the part right now. This is the realization of Mario Cristobal’s dream when he took this job over, having 9+ game ready players, with 15+ bodies that look the part and are in various stages of their development. Honorable mention to running back, which is also stacked. But it’s gotta be OL for me.
Preseason Question 5: Which offensive position is the weakest/most concerning?
What Actually Happened: Considering that every position leader earned all-conference honors, it’s difficult to find any weak offensive position for the number 1 offense in the nation. Almost everyone at State of the U answered tight end, but that position played with incredible depth. Arroyo looked like an NFL tight end, and Miami got valuable contributions from McCormick, Williams, and freshman Elijah Lofton.
Best Preseason Prediction: KappaCane
I know that the least utilized room was the tight end room last season, but I wouldn’t consider it a weak room. We just didn’t utilize the talent that we had available. I do expect that TE is gonna be a focal point for the offense this season, so I’m gonna have to go with the running back group. Oddly enough, they’re both a strength and potentially a weakness because we’ve already seen some injury at the position in fall camp, and let’s face it running backs get hurt every season. I do think we have quality depth at the position, but because of the nature of that position, they’re more injury prone than other position groups. While we have depth, we don’t necessarily have a lot of experience beyond the 2-Deep. It’s certainly not a weakness in my opinion, but it is a group I’ll be looking at throughout the season.
Preseason Question 6: Who is your breakout player on offense (not Cam Ward), and why?
What Actually Happened: Several offensive players “broke out” this season. Elijah Arroyo earning All-ACC Second-Team honors immediately comes to mind as does freshman RB Jordan Lyle who demonstrated that he’s an incredible home-run threat. Isaiah Horton is also a worthy mention. But ultimately, Xavier Restrepo led Miami’s playmakers in touchdowns and yards from scrimmage while smashing multiple records along the way. Don’t forget several incredible catches X made including his fourth-down, game-saving butt grab against Virginia Tech.
Best Preseason Prediction: Jake Marcus
Restrepo continues to elevate his game and advance his route running tree more and more year-after-year. Why stop him now? Regardless of who has been his QB, he has proven to be Mr. Reliable similar to other heavily relied on slot guys hailing from the U like Braxton Berrios, Mike Harley Jr., and KJ Osborn.
Restrepo has the possibility of being the most storied wide receiver in University of Miami history if you put it this way… in an underwhelming offense last year, Restrepo put up 85 receptions for 1092 yards last year, setting the Miami single season reception record and only 80 yards off of Charleston Rambo’s 2021 mark. X has tallied 131 receptions for 1717 yards throughout his career. He is only 51 receptions away from Harley’s career-catch mark and 830 yards away from Santana Moss’ career-receiving yards mark. All signs point to Restrepo collecting more accolades in 2024 and putting his name in the early round draft conversation.
Preseason Question 7: Which defensive position is the strongest for Miami in 2024?
What Actually Happened: Oh boy, here come the defensive questions. The defensive line lived up to its billing as the strongest position, but things definitely did not end as strong as they started. After the Florida game, it looked like this group was the second-coming of the Steel Curtain. Even though this group faded down the stretch, it was still Simeon Barrow or Tyler Baron or someone from the front four you expected to make a play and get a stop. Reuben Bain battling injuries most of the season didn’t help this group’s preseason expectations.
Best Preseason Prediction: Cam Underwood
Defensive Line. This group is among the best in the country. There’s top end talent. There’s high-ceiling recruits. There are ends. There are tackles. There’s experience. There’s pass rushing. There’s run stopping. There’s size. There’s speed. There’s strength. There’s everything you could ask for. Mario Cristobal’s ethos is rooted in “big dudes, close to the ball” and whew BUDDY Miami has plenty of them this year.
Preseason Question 8: Which defensive position is the weakest/more concerning for Miami in 2024?
What Actually Happened: The defensive secondary was thin and torched…a lot. Cornerback in particular was hit hard with injuries and showed a complete lack of depth (or ability to competently play a zone defense). Safety Mishael Powell was one of the few bright spots in the secondary, and freshman OJ Frederique was a nice story coming out of camp having earned significant playing time as a unheralded 3 star recruit. But that’s about it.
Best Preseason Prediction; Rob Weaver
Cornerback. I’m holding my breath every time an opposing quarterback has time in the pocket, because I simply do not trust our corners to make plays, and all room for error is gone after Miami lost two veteran safeties to the NFL. Damari Brown and Daryl Porter Jr., who were high school teammates at American Heritage, lead this group along with Jadais Richard and Robert Stafford. Like so many Hurricanes, Brown and Porter Jr. have serious pro potential, but potential has done nothing for Miami the past two decades.
Preseason Question 9: Who is your breakout defensive player for Miami in 2024 and why?
What Actually Happened: Barrow Jr. was the only defensive player to earn All-ACC First Team, so he’s a strong “breakout” candidate. Tyler Baron also made a splash while Bain was nursing his injuries early in the season. But true freshman OJ Frederique was certainly the most surprising breakout earning the start after a very strong training camp. His story should at least help Cristobal in recruiting as an example how any freshman could earn his way into playing time for the Hurricanes.
Best Preseason Prediction: Cam Underwood
True Freshman CB Romanas “OJ” Frederique. He’s earned rave reviews through camp for both his tough mentality and his performance. It’s a tall task to ask of a kid who was just in HS stepping into big time CFB, but Frederique has the look of someone who can handle the heat.
Question 10: Kickers are people too. How do you feel about the Canes’ kicking situation?
What Actually Happened: Ho hum, just another award winning season for Andy Borregales before he starts kicking on Sundays. Dylan Joyce, Miami’s current Aussie punter, also performed admirably. One special teams blemish was Miami giving up two kickoff returns for a touchdown this season. Only two other teams did that – Western Michigan (4) and UMass (2). Not good company.
Best Preseason Prediction: Craig Smith
Great. What a way to feel after 2018. How far we’ve come (thank you, Borregales family). Andy is money. Dylan Joyce had a nice freshman year punting the ball. What’s not to like?
Preseason Question 11: Who is the player Miami can least afford to lose?
What Actually Happened: Every single SotU’er correctly answered Cam Ward. Fortunately, Ward played the season completely healthy and this nightmare scenario never came to fruition. Thanks KappaCane!
Best Preseason Prediction: KappaCane
Cameron Ward, and because they say that the tongue has power I’ll leave it at that.
Preseason Question 12: Which game(s) are you most looking forward to?
What Actually Happened: Marching into the Swamp and destroying the Gators set the tone for the entire first half of the season, and that win looked better and better as Florida started to get its act together. Getting past Louisville and adding to Florida State’s woes were also memorable, but we shall not soon forget our players actively recruiting UF’s players on the sidelines after the game (even if those efforts didn’t really work).
Best Preseason Prediction: Justin Dottavio
It’s been a long time since I felt this good heading into a season, so yeah, the first week against the Florida Gators is the big one. Clearly beating FSU would be great but it all starts Week One in The Swamp.
Preseason Question 13: What would a successful season for Miami look like in your mind?
What Actually Happened: While it’s not debatable that this year was progress, whether there was enough progress to consider the season “successful” is very debatable. Next season will look a lot different in this transfer portal area, but Mario’s backbone recruits from 2023 and 2024 seem are improving and starting to earn significant playing time. By the standards of the past twenty years, a 10 win season was a “successful” Miami Hurricanes football season even though it fell short of the postseason goals. Perhaps “successful disappointment’ is the best way to characterize 2024.
Best Preseason Prediction: KappaCane
Most people would say that Miami needs to play for the ACC title and win it this season. Doing that ensures a bid in the CFP and an opportunity to bring home ring number 6. I would say that it gets a bit deeper than that this season. With all of the pieces acquired this offseason, Miami needs to show consistency and competency from its coaching staff. They also need to show a proof of concept of their scheme, in all three phases of the game, for future recruits. This season’s team is one and done, so the lifeblood of this program going forward is going to be its recruits. I think if Miami can do the last two, it’ll encompass the first two, and will result in the success we’re all looking for.
Preseason Question 13: What would a bad season for Miami look like in your mind?
What Actually Happened: Even if the season was not “successful,” 10 wins and a Heisman Trophy finalist is more good than bad. The Vegas over/under was 9.5 games, so the Hurricanes hit the over. At least Cam Ward’s play made the season more good than bad.
Best Preseason Prediction: KappaCane
An injury to QB1. That would throw everything else into flux and this team was built to win this year with Ward at the helm. With the way things have gone for us in the last decade in QB recruiting we can’t afford to have an incomplete or mediocre season from the QB position. There is already a negative stigma about Cristobal being a QB killer (from the haters), so that would further the narrative and could exacerbate the situation.
Preseason Record Predictions
What Actually Happened: Miami went 10-2, and two (sort of three) of us predicted that outcome.
Best Preseason Prediction (1): Justin Dottavio
10-2 and honestly with FSU looking kind of meh it should be 11-1.
Best Preseason Prediction (2): Marshall Thomas
10-2.
Best Preseason Prediction (3): KappaCane
15-0 is the only right answer, right? Lol… no-one on the schedule should beat us, but I fear we may (MAY) beat ourselves along the way somewhere. This team is saying, and showing, all the right things about going 1-0 each week and if they can string enough of those weeks together, I could realistically see them sitting at 10-2 or 11-1 going into the ACCCG for a rematch against FSU or another conference team. That should produce a CFP berth and an outside run for a ring, but more importantly it sets the wheels in motion for another top recruiting class. Go Canes!