AllHurricanes Staff Predictions: Hurricanes Win Total?
The Miami Hurricanes will begin year two under Mario Cristobal on September 1st against Miami (OH).
While Cristobal and the staff will take it game by game as they look to improve on a 5-7 record, we at AllHurricanes are looking at the season as a whole and how we believe the team will do.
With tough opponents, plenty of newcomers and the uncertainty of college football, one change could send this team into a completely different trajectory. Regardless, the record predictions are as follows:
Brian Smith: 9-3
The Hurricanes will be one of college football's biggest surprises. Here's why.
The Miami roster improved. Really improved. 15 Transfer Portal additions and 26 recruits places the total at 41. That sum means nearly half the roster is turning over. The transformation stems from need, however.
Better talent, yes. An improving attitude should be considered just as important and probably even more important. That's the key to the 2023 Canes when comparing them to the 2022 version.
That begins with the size and power of an offensive line that is being revamped. Watch out for center Matt Lee, as he's the most likely player among the front wall to earn postseason honors.
Look for quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to return to a much more productive player, similar to the end of the 2021 season with his final six games included at least 316 yards, plus the benchmark performance versus Pittsburgh of 426 yards through the air.
Defensively, this unit should be at or above 40 sacks. 37 last season, and key contributors like Akheem Mesidor and Leonard Taylor III return, among many other skillful athletes.
The secondary boasts the best combination of safeties in the country with consensus 2022 All-American Kamren Kinchens and James Williams. All of the newly found talent and combining it with the new Canes still must face the ACC's toughest schedule.
The second half of the season will see the Hurricanes take on a guantlet. This is where the "new Miami" will begin to rise up. It's not going to be perfect. The results will surprass expectations, however. Look for Miami to defeat at least one of Clemson or Florida State this fall. Further, Miami will find a way to win a few close games that during prior seasons would have ended up being losses.
Alex Donno: 8-4
I expect significant improvement this season, especially since the offensive line has been rebuilt. Poor depth and poor blocking was the achilles heel of the Canes offense last season. Adding starters Javion Cohen, Matt Lee and Francis Mauigoa, along with extra depth with Samson Okunlola and Tommy Kinsler will give Miami an advantage against most opponents at the line of scrimmage.
The Hurricanes have also changed their offensive philosophy with new OC Shannon Dawson. His air raid principles will help starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke return his his 2021 form.
On defense, I have high expectations for DC Lance Guidry who worked wonders at Marshall last year. Miami has overhauled their linebacker room with experienced transfers Francisco Mauigoa and KJ Cloyd in addition to adding a talented freshman class.
I expect the Hurricanes to pull off an early upset against Texas A&M to lay the foundations for a better year. However, they'll likely fall short against Florida State and Clemson. I can see Miami losing an additional game from their against North Carolina, NC State or Louisville. It's not an easy schedule.
Liam Willerup: 7-5
It's hard to see Miami regress after last season. A handful of injuries to key starters and lack of an offensive identity made it difficult for the Hurricanes to do much of anything last season. Now with an offensive coordinator in Shannon Dawson whose scheme better suits the team's personnel, there should be an improvement offensively at least.
While the defense did lose two starters are corner, chatter from fall practices indicate that position group might surprise. Regardless, the defense has a star tandem at safety and two of the best defensive linemen in the ACC.
As of this time, Miami has four preseason AP Top 25 opponents, facing two away and two at home. Even if Miami is able to win one of those matchups, there are still other teams on their schedule that could give them trouble.
If Miami is able to win seven games and win a bowl game, that'd be a step in the right direction.
Corey Carmona/Chalupa Batman: 8-4
2023 will be a bounce back season for Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes. The upgrades in the secondary and offensive line are the key to the Canes success this year in my opinion, keeping Tyler Van Dyke upright and limiting big plays on the backend is a must if they don’t want a repeat of 2022.
Likewise, their depth in the backfield with transfer addition Ajay Allen and true freshman Mark Fletcher should give the Canes a more balanced attack in 2023. Staying ahead of the chains will allow offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson to be more creative & get the most out of the revamped receiving crops.
On the defensive side, I believe the variety, depth and versatility of the pass rushers is where the Canes will shine. The ability to apply pressure to opposing quarterbacks will undoubtedly help the secondary and should lead to more turnovers as well.
Overall, I see 2023 as a step in the right direction for the Canes and Mario Cristobal as he continues to rebuild his alma mater and hopefully return UM back to its winning ways.
Rowdy Baribeau: 8-4
After last season, there is only way the Miami Hurricanes should trend this year, and it's up. Mario Cristobal was active in the Transfer Portal, and he had to be considering the Hurricanes saw 26 exit the program via the portal alone and numerous others to graduation and the NFL Draft. Cristobal also reeled in a Top 10 recruiting class.
Yet, one of the best additions may not have been an athlete. Like my colleagues, I believe that the addition of Shannon Dawson will reinvigorate the offense, but especially quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. I expect Miami's points-per-game threshold to be well above 30. The healthy, veteran-led offensive line figures to be a potential strength for the offense, whereas it has been a weakness in preceding years.
That said, I do believe the team will have its struggles. I believe Miami can get out to a hot start to the season. The latter portion of the schedule is where it gets murky. However, I don't believe Miami experiences a loss quite like they did in 2022. Of their four losses, I expect to see a stronger, more cohesive and disciplined team, that shows the improvement that many are still waiting to see.
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