ANALYSIS: What we will learn about the Miami Hurricanes offense in game 1
The Miami Hurricanes enter Game 1 with questions to be answered across the board on offense.
After all, there’s a new coordinator – Shannon Dawson – and new system.
Then there’s this:
QB Tyler Van Dyke was declared 100 percent healthy by Mario Cristobal yesterday after a reported hand injury that held him out of practice.
A running back position reshaped by Nebraska transfer Ajay Allen and highly touted true freshman Mark Fletcher … with starter Henry Parrish also back. Dawson said yesterday it’ll be RB by committee.
Wide receivers with different skillsets that are going to be rotated fairly heavily, per Dawson. They include expected starters Colbie Young (leading WR last year) along with Jacolby George and slot Xavier Restrepo (starter last year before injury slowed him down). Don’t be surprised if there are a lot of four wide situations in the hybrid Air-Raid system, with Ray Ray Joseph the fourth guy in a lot of those reps.
At tight end Elijah Arroyo was slowed by injury in fall drills but Mario Cristobal said yesterday he should be back for the game. Oregon transfer Cam McCormick will also be a main guy utilized – his strength is attached to the line as a physical sixth blocker. Jaleel Skinner has been a disappointment in camp but perhaps can make some plays this season as well. But, for now, the expectation is the wideouts will have a big passing game role while the tight ends perhaps will be taking more of a back seat in that aspect of the game.
Which brings us to a totally reshaped offensive line with only one starter back from the starting lineup in Game 1 last year – Jalen Rivers, who has moved from guard to starting left tackle. Javion Cohen started at Alabama and is now at Miami, and UCF starting center Matt Lee has been outstanding in fall camp with the Canes. Anez Cooper started at guard at the end of last year and should be in the starting lineup again, and 5-star true freshman Francis Mauigoa should be starting at right tackle. It’s expected that group will be vastly improved from the one that struggled so much a year ago.
So what does all that mean for Game 1 against Miami (Ohio)?
Well, it’s a team with a smaller defensive line, one that the Hurricanes should be able to dominate physically. So there might be more of an emphasis on running in Game 1 vs. passing, especially if Van Dyke is feeling any effects after missing practices last week.
And don’t think this RedHawks D will be a pushover.
On the defensive side of the ball for Miami (Ohio), nine players who started games last year return after ending last year as the conference’s top-ranked defense. Overall 12 of the top 15 tacklers are back, so it’s an experienced unit. Nationally, Miami (Ohio) had the 34th-best scoring defense in the country, allowing just 22.6 points per contest. Standouts on the defensive side of the ball are DE Corey Suttle (6 sacks), DL Brian Ugwu (9 TFL, 5 sacks, 43 tackles) and DE Caiden Woullard (4 sacks); and at linebacker Mathew Salopek (124 tackles) and Dominic Nardone (17 tackles) will look to fill the void left behind by Ryan McWood, who led the team with 134 tackles. In the secondary Miami (Ohio) will return both starters from last year Ambe Caldwell (37 tackles 5 PBUs) and Jacquez Warren (63 tackles 2 INT), while at cornerback there are two new starters. So that could be an area Miami exploits.
Miami (Ohio) does have a strength when it comes to rushing the passer as a fast, athletic front. But speed-wise guys like Tyler Harrell (Alabama transfer who ran a 4.24) could turn in some big down-the-field shot plays, and look for Joseph to emerge in Game 1 as a guy that will move all over the place. He’s going to be a bigtime playmaker as a freshman.
Also keep a close eye on the physicality of the run game, something that was missing a year ago. Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal want a team that will bully opponents up front, and this is a game to start doing that.
The bottom line?
There’s a lot still to learn about this offense that has so many new faces not only in the starting lineup but on the two-deep. So we will learn a lot in Game 1 about the personnel and also get a pretty good sense of the system and pace at which Dawson will run things at Miami. The RedHawks are a decent defense and can test the Canes a bit, but UM really is simply at a different level talent-wise and athletically.
As for our pregame prediction points-wise for the Canes?
We’ll go with four touchdowns and two field goals. Thirty-four points would be a pretty good way to start the season for a team that averaged 23.6 points a year ago.
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