Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Miami Schedule: Three Opposing Offensive Players To Know
Article cover photo of Florida State running back Trey Benson; credit to Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports.
Going into each college football season, there are a handful of opposing players that the Miami Hurricanes know will cause issues. Great players, not just good players.
For this season, two certainly stand out with Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis and North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. Those two big-play signal callers are too obvious to discuss.
Instead, three more players need to be examined. Let’s take a look at each of them, ranked by how much of an impact they can likely make via the position each player is at.
1) Brennan Armstrong, Quarterback, North Carolina State
Game Location And Date: Raleigh, N.C., Nov. 4
Prime Concern: With NC ST hiring Robert Anae as its offensive coordinator, Armstrong’s situation becomes truly interesting. He was coaching for Virginia when Armstrong went off. That 2021 team averaged 392.6 yards through the air.
Anae has a long history with passing offenses as well, including three stints at BYU, plus coaching for Texas Tech. Armstrong still has to make the throws, but Anae’s tutelage will be critical and he’s already helped Armstrong throw for 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns. That was from the 2021 season alone.
Resolution: Pass rush, pass rush, and more pass rush. If the Canes do not get up the field and harass Armstrong, NC ST will hit some big plays. Miami also must be able to consistently do that with just four pass rushers. Being a road contest, playing well early in the game is a must to keep the crowd out of the game, too.
2) Trey Benson, Running Back, Florida State
Game Location And Date: Tallahassee, Fla., Nov. 11
Prime Concern: Offensive balance from the Noles. With Mike Norvell’s offense that can throw and run the football well, plus it features run-pass option plays from Jordan Travis, it’s essential that the Hurricanes mitigate the running game from Benson.
Last season, Benson carried 15 times for 128 yards, averaged 8.5 yards per carry, and ran for two touchdowns. Further, his first carry was a 42-yard scamper. While the Canes must be wary of Travis, Benson should be a prime player to focus their efforts towards as well.
Resolution: Miami must confuse FSU’s players with different looks, pre and post-snap. Even if it’s only one major turnover that’s a scoop and score, a pick-six, taking risks will be worth it.
The Noles will move the ball. It’s a really talented group. Miami simply must come up with more big plays that change the momentum, and eventually the outcome, of the game.
3) Evan Stewart, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M
Game Location And Date: Miami Gardens, Fla., Sep. 9
Prime Concern: Stewart is an all-around playmaker. Speed to go deep, tremendous balance with his in-route moves to sell one route and then break it off into another, and tremendous hands to boot. He’s a future NFL wide receiver, period. At least as a wide receiver, it’s harder to get him the football. There’s another point about that, however.
If the Aggies get their running game going, Stewart becomes a bigger problem. That would likely mean the Canes placing another defender in the box.
In single coverage, Stewart is probably going to win the majority of those battles.
Resolution: Miami safety James Williams is the man to watch. He will likely move around in Miami’s defense anyway, including coming down to the linebacker level. Against A&M, expect Williams to help out on Stewart in addition to the cornerback that’s in coverage against him. This will be a topic that’s further discussed during the actual week of the game.
AllHurricanes.com is your home for all things Miami Hurricanes football, recruiting, basketball and other athletics, all the time. Follow along on social media at @AllHurricanes on Twitter and All Hurricanes on Facebook for round-the-clock news and analysis.
