The Miami Hurricanes’ revamped roster looks to build off last season, as they try to prove there’s a new alpha in the ACC.
In both 2022 and 2023, Miami’s preseason win total was set at over/under 7.5 wins. That projection has risen for this upcoming season, as the Hurricanes 2024 projection is set at over/under 9.5 wins, according to Fanduel.
This comes to no surprise for teams in the ACC. Miami landed the most sought after quarterback in the country this off-season, adding rising senior Cam Ward to lead their offense.
Head Coach Mario Cristobal is ecstatic about Ward’s game changing abilities, saying “We believe in Cam Ward. We believe that Cam Ward will allow Miami to do things that Miami hasn’t been able to do in a long, long time. We have complete trust and faith in him and the guys around him. He’s a dynamic player, but even more importantly, he’s a dynamic human being.”
Ward battled with the decision of staying in college or entering the NFL Draft, ultimately choosing Miami because “there’s still food left on the table”.
Miami’s success hinges on its offensive line, despite adding Cam Ward to the system. Ward has been sacked over 80 times in the last two seasons, giving Mario Cristobal the tough task of shoring up the protection for the star quarterback.
“Protecting the quarterback has always been at the forefront of any and every place we’ve been at. It starts with the guys up front and making sure that there’s complete alignment between the coordinator and offensive line coach. Understanding what defenses do, what they do well, what their personal advantages or disadvantages might be and scheming our plan as it relates to that. To do that, you have to have good personnel up front.”
The Hurricanes early schedule will do them no favors, opening the season against the in-state rival Florida Gators. However, Cristobal and company seem enthused to show the conference how they’ve improved from the 2023 season.
