Greg McElroy believes Miami could 'easily' win double-digit games in 2024

Miami showed some gradual improvement over two years under Mario Cristobal. Now, per Greg McElroy, the ‘U could be in line for just their second 10-win or better finish since the early 2000s.

McElroy discussed a possible bounce back by the Hurricanes during a recent episode of ‘Always College Football’. In his opinion, Miami was far better than being just one game over .500 in 2023. That’s why a higher win total, which the odds also reflect, makes perfect sense to him in 2024.

“I look at Miami’s 7-6 win total from a year ago. 7-6 – pretty decent year. There was a lot of progress made as we just discussed but it felt like there was a little more meat on the bone,” McElroy said. “Well, Vegas anticipates a significant bounce back from Miami. 9.5 is their win total – up from seven a year ago.”

“I don’t think last year’s record is reflective of just how capable that team was,” opined McElroy. “Granted, tons of mistakes and they oftentimes beat themselves.”

5-7 was Cristobal’s debut record at his alma mater before the 7-6 finish last season. That’s the foundation that they’ve since built upon with a Top-20 portal class coming to Coral Gables too.

“You think about too some of the additions that they’ve made and we’ve documented this all offseason. But with the recent additions of Cam Ward, Damien Martinez at running back, some of the pieces that they bring back along the defensive line like Reuben Bain and some guys that can flat-out take over the game, great additions in the secondary as well? This team is pretty much loaded,” McElroy noted.

Miami has been trying to contend again like they did from the 1980s through the start of the 2000s. This year could now very well be the one where they do that as a team out of their league that could win double digit games in a case for making the CFP.

“In the ACC where it feels a little bit like it’s kind of up for grabs between teams one and six or seven? I think Miami could easily find their way to double digits this years as far as the amount of wins that they can receive in the regular season,” said McElroy.

“I really like the Hurricanes. I’ve been adamant about that,” McElroy said. “This team was close. I would expect them to be even closer, possibly within striking distance of a College Football Playoff berth this year.”