34 - 24 Miami went 10-3 and will have a top 15 season. They went to the ACC Championship game, and won the ACC Coastal Division. All nice results in 2017, and a huge improvement over the Al Golden era.
Mark Richt has done exactly what I thought he would do at Miami. He made them better. I never questioned that he could turn Miami into a top 25 caliber team, and far exceed anything Golden did.
I just thought that would be ceiling. I didn’t think he could get Miami to a nationally championship level. It’s too early in his tenure at Miami to say he won’t get there either. It’s just my opinion.
Winning the Orange Bowl over a good Wisconsin team would have really opened some eyes, but the Miami Hurricanes simply played a sloppier more mistake filled game than Wisconsin. Wisconsin QB Alex Hornibrook looked like the 2nd coming of Steve Young, while Miami QB Malik Rosier would alternate great plays with horrible ones. That’s why there will be a QB battle in Miami next year. Rosier at this point is just too erratic to feel fully confident in.
Turnovers, at times bizarre playcalling, missed FGs, and defensive breakdowns did Miami in Saturday night.
Miami can use this season though on the recruiting trail, and they already have with what looks to be a top 10 class. There was more excitement surrounding Miami football than there has been in over a decade. There were flashes of the old U this season.
It was a frustrating end to the season for the Canes, but one the future can be built on.
