Phil Steele explains Miami's spot on most improved list

Miami made it back on to Phil Steele’s Most Improved list in his annual college football preview magazine.

After a vastly disappointing season in 2022, the first under Mario Cristobal, the Hurricanes could bounce back in a big way. Steele isn’t calling for Miami to win the ACC, but there are reasonable expectations.

But he looked back on a rough road to get to 2023.

“Miami got the call as my No. 1 Most Improved team in ‘20,” Steele wrote. “After the magazine went to press, Clemson was added to the schedule. Miami opened 8-1 and No. 9 in the AP with only a loss to Clemson. After a blowout loss to North Carolina and a close bowl loss, they finished 8-3 (No. 22). 

“If the ACC had divisions, Miami would’ve won the Coastal in 2020. In 2021, they opened 2-4 for the first time since 1997. QB Tyler Van Dyke led them to a solid 5-1 finish with Florida State getting an improbable comeback win. Miami was three plays away from 10-2 but at 7-5, fired Manny Diaz.”

Going from Diaz to Cristobal looked great on the surface, but last fall was rough. Postseason success also eluded the program recently.

“Miami is 1-10 in bowls since 2006,” Steele wrote. “Head coach Mario Cristobal played here and is looking to return Miami to the glory days. Expectations were high last year but they opened 2-3 in back-to-back years for the first time since 1978-79.

“After a 45-3 home loss to Florida State, they were 4-5 for the first time since 1978 and lost their fourth straight home game for the first time since 1973. They matched their worst season in 45 years going 5-7.”

So how does Miami turn it around? Well, the Hurricanes have two new coordinators (Shannon Dawson as the OC and Lance Guidry as the DC). New blood could mean improvement.

“Miami has two new coordinators and rate a +3.3 in my SMI,” Steele said. “They do draw a tough ACC schedule with Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina and NC State and three of those on the road. Coach Cristobal was pumped up about this year’s team when I spoke to him and they should be much improved on both offense and defense. 

“The schedule may keep them from winning the ACC but they are back on my Most Improved list this year and will make some noise in the tough ACC.”