Joel Klatt expects an 11-win season from Miami in 2024

Joel Klatt didn’t mince words when it came to his expectations for Miami and Mario Cristobal in 2024. This team should run away with the ACC and nearly go undefeated.

The schedule sets up for it, according to Klatt. It all starts with a road game against the Florida Gators.

But there’s a lot of talent on the roster for the Hurricanes, so bank on Miami having a great year, we think.

“I said it last week, and I’ll say it again right now. Miami should be 11-1,” Klatt said on his show. “10-2 is an under achievement for the Hurricanes. Mario Cristobal is under and should be under an immense amount of pressure with this roster that they have and the schedule that they face. This is an 11-1 team all day long. All they’ve got to do is go out there and play to their level.

“Now we haven’t seen that from Mario Cristobal and his teams, really even going back to Oregon. He’s 12-13 at Miami. That has to improve, and it’s got to change immediately, and I think that it will.”

With those players? It starts with quarterback transfer Cam Ward. Cristobal’s team went from a squad with some spunk to a legit ACC title contender, which would in turn help the Hurricanes get into the College Football Playoff. That’s the dream for guys like wide receiver Jacolby George and Miami, and Ward is looking to help the hype train stay on the tracks.

“I feel like we have an NFL quarterback at Miami right now,” George responded, regarding what he’s seen that’s special in Ward’s play throughout camp, speaking with reporters. “He’s great. Like, that’s the quarterback everybody would as for, and we have him.”

While George can’t take all the credit, he actually was in contact with Ward before the quarterback made his decision. Now, they’ll be a formidable duo in Miami, looking to bring the Hurricanes to greatness.

“Me and Cam like, before he even announced it, I’ve been texting him. I’ve been trying to get him like, ‘Man, you’ve got to come. I need you here,’ and we got close, and then he made the decision,” the wide receiver explained.

Over the offseason, Ward was between declaring NFL Draft or returning for one more college season this offseason. A talented playmaker, Ward has thrown for 13,874 yards and 119 touchdowns in his four-year career, proving himself as an accurate passer who can make accurate throws on time and off schedule.

Now, he’ll be looking to lead an offense with Jacolby George playing a pivotal role, and bring Miami to the heights they’ve enjoyed in the past. It should be an exciting season for the Hurricanes in 2024, with Cam Ward at the helm.

Stephen Samra contributed to this story