Canes Corner: Undefeated Miami Rises to Number Four in AP Poll

In Canes Corner’s opinion, it’s best to look at the Miami Hurricanes’ (4-0, 2-0 ACC) season as a three-act play.

Miami advanced to the national championship game last season, and they are hungry to get back there. The team’s mantra is to go 1-0 each week, knowing that will lead to ultimate success. This week’s edition is an attempt to show what lies ahead.

Act 1 is now complete.

There were two complete mismatches, a 77-7 dismantling of Florida A&M and a 52-3 rout of Central Michigan last weekend. The Canes also had two conference road wins in the first act.

An opening weekend road trip to Stanford was well worth the cross-country trip when the Canes topped the Cardinal with a decisive 45-6 win.

Two weeks ago, Miami faced its first challenge at Wake Forest (3-1). Miami prevailed 33-20. The Demon Deacons proved they were a formidable opponent when they went on the road last weekend and knocked off the No. 16 Louisville Cardinals 30-27.

Even though Miami is undefeated and only Texas, Georgia and Notre Dame are ranked ahead of the Canes, Canes Corner grades Miami’s Act 1 as a B+ performance.

Penalties, for example the 13 for 112 yards against Central Michigan, are unacceptable. The offensive line is still a work in progress. Because of multiple injuries in the defensive backfield and on the defensive line, the defense has had communication issues that need improvement.

On the bright side, Xavier Lucas, one of the two starting cornerbacks who has been out since Week 1, is nearly ready to return.

Starting defensive linemen Armando Blount and Ahmad Moten and running back Mark Fletcher Jr., who were all held out last week, should be ready to go.

Quarterback Darian Mensah seems to rewrite record books on a weekly basis. Even with the season-ending injuries to starting running back CharMar Brown and wide receiver Joshua Moore, the depth at both positions should keep the offense rolling.

Act 2 is a gauntlet and starts Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. with a nationally televised ABC road contest against the Clemson Tigers (3-1, 2-0).

There is good reason Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, is referred to as “Death Valley.” It’s where so many great teams have seen their dreams die.

“Clemson is an excellent team with great players and coaches,” Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said at Monday’s press conference. “The Tigers had a difficult opening game (LSU), but they’ve gone 3-0 since then. They’re running the ball effectively and allowing approximately 12 points per game.”

Clemson true freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds is a two-way threat. Running back Gideon Davidson and wide receivers TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. are all playmakers with breakaway speed.

The Canes-Clemson clash will be hard fought. Canes Corner sees Miami’s offense wearing down the Tigers defense and coming home with a win.

Miami has a bye week after the Clemson clash.

Act 2 resumes when the Florida State Seminoles (2-2) visit on Oct. 17. Miami stays home to host the Pittsburgh Panthers (4-0) on Oct. 24 before traveling to North Carolina (2-1) on Halloween and then to Notre Dame (4-0) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7.

Times and television information for the FSU, Pittsburgh and North Carolina games will be announced at later dates.

On Sunday, Dec. 6, the College Football Playoff committee will name and seed the 12 teams that will compete for the national championship.

The conference champions of the ACC, SEC, Big Ten and Big 12 will automatically qualify. The top-ranked champion from the “Group of Six” conferences — AAC, CUSA, MAC, MW, Pac-12 and Sun Belt — will receive a bid.

There will be seven at-large bids that go to the top seven teams in the committee’s rankings, with the exception that if Notre Dame is ranked in the top 12, they are guaranteed a bid.

Act 2 is all about Miami making its case for the committee’s final rankings.

For Miami, its first steps through the gauntlet will be at Death Valley. Saturday’s result will be a major factor in the Canes’ ability to hold onto their high place in the rankings.

Act 3’s importance in Miami’s national championship picture will depend on how the Canes fare in running the Act 2 gauntlet.

In Act 3, the Hurricanes host three conference opponents.

Duke (4-0, 1-0) visits Nov. 14, Virginia Tech (4-0, 1-0) visits Nov. 21 and Boston College (2-2, 0-1) comes to Miami on Nov. 28.

If Miami finishes conference play with one of the top two ACC conference records, the Hurricanes will play in the ACC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Dec. 5 with a noon kickoff.

In next week’s edition, Canes Corner will report on the Clemson game and begin previews of men’s and women’s basketball, whose seasons are right around the corner.

Miami also has excellent women’s soccer and women’s volleyball teams. Home games for both sports are on campus with FREE ADMISSION. Both sports have strong family fanbases.

Soccer matches are played at Cobb Stadium. Volleyball is played at the Freeman Indoor Stadium. The venues are next to each other on San Amaro Drive.

The “University” Metrorail station is at the campus and is a short walk from both stadiums. There is plenty of parking under the Metrorail.

Soccer — Saturday, Oct. 10 vs. Wake Forest at 1 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 18 vs. Iona at 1 p.m.; Boston College at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23; and Sunday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. vs. THE Florida State Seminoles.

Volleyball — Friday, Oct. 2 vs. Wake Forest at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 4 vs. NC State at 1 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 9 vs. Clemson at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 11 vs. Georgia Tech at 1 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 23 vs. Notre Dame at 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 25 vs. Louisville at 3:30 p.m.

Get the family out, enjoy the soccer and/or volleyball games and take a walk around the beautiful Miami campus.

If you do, you will come back.

There are no better role models for your children than the athletes they will see play. Both the soccer and volleyball players make themselves available to the children after the games for talks, autographs and, on occasion, giveaways.

That’s it for now. Be well all, and Go Canes!