Game-by-game predictions for entire 2024 Miami Hurricanes football schedule

With Fall Camps getting kicked off around the country, one of the teams with the biggest expectations this season is the Miami Hurricanes.

With that in mind, On3’s JD PicKell broke down the situation for Miami and head coach Mario Cristobal going into his third season with the program. In doing so, PicKell jumped into game-by-game predictions for the 2024 Miami Hurricanes football schedule.

“Miami, their over-under win total in Vegas is at 9.5,” PicKell said. “Vegas is telling you we’re expecting something this year. Mario Cristobal, the way they’ve trended over the past couple of seasons, 5-7, 7-5. Do they pop in year three of the Cristobal regime? I think the good folks in Coral Gables are like it’s time to show us something.”

In two seasons under Mario Cristobal, Miami has a record of 12-13. Now, with his roster in place and a talented quarterback in Cam Ward, it looks like the Hurricanes are ready to take a step forward.

“This was the team that you were told about when Mario Cristobal first got the job at Miami. This is how the roster was supposed to look, that you were told how it would look, eventually. It’s there. Francis Mauigoa. I think that defensive backs watch him on tape and what they do on the screens and the reverse is when he gets out in space, he is a highlight,” PicKell said Wednesday. “He’s a highlight on the offensive line. Let that sink in. Skill players, it’s there…and you’ve got the quarterback. That’s the difference for you. You’ve got the quarterback to set this whole thing off and make it work. So, this is your window. Alright? This is the moment, if you’re Miami, to go get what you want to go get.”

Looking ahead to the schedule itself, Miami starts with a road game against the Florida Gators. That’s a game PicKell believes could be a tricky start to an excellent season.

“First game of the year, going to the Swamp, baby. Going to the Swamp and we’ve said it for a long time, Florida are a lot better than most people would lead you to believe. I think Miami is going to be one of the best teams in college football this year. Spoiler. I do,” PicKell said. “However, this game being played in the Swamp, in-game action, it’s tricky. Very, very tricky. If this game was played at a neutral site, I think I’d pick Miami. However, it’s played in the Swamp. This is a team in Florida that has heard a lot about what they won’t accomplish, how they’re gonna fall flat on their face, their coach is gonna get fired, their schedule is so tough. I think that Miami actually drops the first game in the Swamp.”

From there, Miami rounds out non-conference play with what should be a relatively manageable schedule for a talented Hurricanes team.

“Then you have a layup line for three games after that. You’ve got Florida A&M, dub. Ball State, dub. At USF. USF, man, God bless their athletic director, they have been finessing these big-time opponents to come and play them at their place. Alabama last year, Miami this year. It is what it is. That should be a dub,” PicKell continued.

After that, Miami transitions into ACC play. There, they start with a tricky home game against Virginia Tech that will present challenges.

“Now, Virginia Tech, you get them at your place. This game makes me so nervous. So, so nervous because Virginia Tech is number one in returning production. They’ve got a Clydesdale at quarterback in Kyron Drones, who I believe Cam Ward also trains with, and it’s on a Friday,” PicKell said. “This is a scientific part of college football. If it’s played on a Friday, weird things happen…even with that being said, I think Miami wins a close one against Virginia Tech to keep the good times rolling.

“Then you go to Cal. It’s not fun to travel. You’ve got to go out to Berkeley. You’re going coast-to-coast quite literally for a conference game…I do think you win that football game,” PicKell continued. “Then you’re at Louisville. Now this game is the game before Florida State. He just screams, just shouts from the top of the mountains, trap game…Louisville, doing what [Jeff] Brohm does, they’re gonna go hit the portal hard. They’ve got Tyler Shough who’s played 97 years of college football out there for them. Good player. If you don’t bring your A-game, you’ll end up losing like Notre Dame did last year…tough place to play. It’ll be rocking. However, I think this is where we see new Miami show itself. Culture is strong. Talent level is better. More focused. I think this is the game where you say, ‘That’s different. That’s a different team out there.'”

At that point, Miami needs to play rival Florida State. That’s a Florida State team coming off an unbeaten regular season and an ACC Championship. It’s also a game the Hurricanes haven’t won in three seasons.

“You beat Louisville in a tragic look-ahead spot. Then you play Florida State. This is gonna be major for bragging rights in the state. This is major for the approval rating of Mario Cristobal, obviously. I’ll be real. I just don’t know if Florida State can score with Miami. Not saying they can’t. I think that defense is gonna be great at Florida State, but I just don’t know how, if Cam Ward is rolling like I think he’s gonna be rolling, Florida State can keep pace. So, I think that Miami wins that game and sets themselves up very nicely to finish out the season here,” PicKell said.

“You’ve got Duke, should be a dub. At Georgia Tech, kind of walking that tightrope. Make sure you’re finishing through the line. That should be a dub. You finish with Wake Forest and at Syracuse. Wake Forest is a win. At Syracuse is not gonna be easy money. Fran Brown, Kyle McCord, they’ve got a roster now that can give you some problems. However, I do think you win that football game.”

That would make Miami unbeaten in the ACC with an 11-1 record overall. If PicKell is right, that would put Miami in the ACC Championship Game and likely into the College Football Playoff.

“So, look at this now, you win your last 11 games after losing the first. So, Miami finishes with a record of 11-1,” PicKell concluded. “If you’re keeping score at home now, Miami is undefeated in the ACC. You set yourself up for an ACC title game berth and you feel pretty good about where you stand as it relates to the College Football Playoff. I think most Miami fans would take that.”