Can the Hurricanes Win 10+ Games in 2024?
With summer officially here, college football will be heating up soon enough. For those gridiron fans eager to get ahead of the game, one question looms: Can the Miami Hurricanes win ten or more games in the 2024 season?
After securing seven victories in head coach Mario Cristobal's second season, Miami faces a new challenge with the expanding Atlantic Coast Conference, now including three additional institutions.
Adding to the excitement, the Hurricanes have a new quarterback in Coral Gables: Cameron Ward, a transfer from Washington State. A dual-threat athlete with a knack for making big plays, Ward's performance will be pivotal.
So, how will these changes impact the Hurricanes' quest for a 10-win season in 2024?
Why Miami Could Win Over 9.5 Games?
The narrative is clear: Coach Mario Cristobal is brewing something special in Coral Gables. Cristobal, a proud Miami alum and a key player in two national championship teams (1989, 1991), returns with a burning desire to restore the Hurricanes to their former glory. His deep-rooted connection to the program adds layers of commitment and knowledge that few can rival.
Marking a pivotal point in Cristobal’s third year, Miami is pivoting towards a more offensive-heavy strategy. Last season's average of 31.5 points per game set a foundational pace, but there's plenty of room for growth. Enter Cameron Ward, the dynamic quarterback transfer from Washington State. With a 65.1 QBR and eight rushing touchdowns in his final season for the Cougars, Ward is expected to inject fresh energy and versatility into the offense, opening up the playbook in ways that predecessor Tyler Van Horn couldn’t. Ward’s dual-threat capability is set to target a glaring deficiency: Miami’s lackluster ground game, where no single player eclipsed 650 rushing yards in 2023. The expectation is that Mark Fletcher Jr. will thrive in this reinvigorated scheme.
Miami’s prospects are enhanced by its placement in the post-spring SP+ rankings, where it is touted as the 19th-best program in Division I and 18th in offense. Despite trailing behind Florida State and Clemson in the ACC hierarchy, Miami has a favorable edge: it is not scheduled to face Clemson this season. This scheduling quirk alone could be a decisive factor in the Hurricanes' quest for a 10-win season.
Winning in a Power 4 conference is never a trivial endeavor. However, with Cristobal's leadership, Ward under center, and the promise of increased offensive firepower, the Hurricanes have the potential for a season-defining run. All eyes will be on this Miami squad to see if they can transcend their recent form and hit that coveted 10-win mark.
Why Miami Could Win Under 9.5 Games?
Miami might find reaching that elusive 10-win mark more challenging than it appears. The high bar set for this season leaves little room for error, with only two losses allowed to hit that benchmark. What complicates the matter further is the Hurricanes' travel schedule. One particularly tough stretch occurs in early October with back-to-back road games against the California Golden Bears and the Louisville Cardinals. Any slip-up in this period could derail their aspirations of a double-digit win season.
Miami kicks off the 2024 campaign with a high-stakes matchup against the Florida Gators in Gainesville, where the Canes are slight 2.5-point road favorites. A loss here would put immense pressure on the team right from the get-go, complicating their path to 10 wins. With other challenging fixtures on the horizon, including an end-of-month clash against the Florida State Seminoles, the margin for error remains razor-thin. For overbettors to feel confident, the Hurricanes would need to arrive at the October 26th game against Florida State with no more than one loss. If they fail to do so, the odds tilt heavily against them. FanDuel college football odds currently list the over/under for Miami wins at 9.5 - an indicator that oddsmakers believe reaching double-digits will be tough.
Coach Cristobal’s experience as a former player in multiple 10-win seasons at Miami is invaluable, but that alone won't secure victories. The team must showcase on-field cohesion and resilience, which seemed in short supply at critical junctures last season.
The Canes also face a newly expanded Atlantic Coast Conference, creating additional hurdles. Navigating through a more competitive slate, the Hurricanes can't afford missteps. Miami's ground game, a significant area of improvement, remains an unproven factor. If running back Mark Fletcher Jr. doesn't elevate the rushing attack, the offense's newfound versatility with Cameron Ward might fall flat under the pressure of high-stakes games.
Adding to the complexity is college football's inherent unpredictability. Injuries, unexpected player performances—both good and bad—and mid-season adjustments by opponents all contribute to Miami's uncertainty. While there's potential for a breakout season, the odds are stacked heavily against the Hurricanes, making it challenging to secure more than 9.5 wins in 2024.
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