On3 Roundtable: Setting expectations for Miami football in 2023

Miami‘s first season under new coach Mario Cristobal didn’t quite go according to plan, with the Hurricanes finishing just 5-7 and missing a bowl game for the first time since 2012. So what should the expectations for Miami football in 2023 look like?

The Hurricanes return plenty of pieces from last year’s team, including starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.

So can Miami turn things around a become a more competitive team on the national landscape? Las Vegas recently released over/under win totals, with the Hurricanes checking in at 7.5. Cane Sport’s Gary Ferman joined On3’s JD PicKell for an On3 Roundtable to discuss that projection for the ‘Canes.

“You know what, JD, I think Vegas has it right,” Ferman said. “I think that’s the bar. You can sit there and dream that you’re going to go from being a 5-7 team to a 10- or 11-win team in one season, but I mean 99 times out of 100 that’s pure fantasy. Probably not going to happen.”

A shoulder injury for Van Dyke certainly hampered Miami’s progress last season, just one year after the quarterback dazzled and nearly threw for 3,000 yards as a freshman.

In and out of the lineup in the middle of the season, Van Dyke finished the campaign 160-of-253 passing for 1,844 yards and 10 touchdowns, against five interceptions. Van Dyke will return several of his weapons.

Running back Jaylan Knighton and tight end Will Mallory are gone, but running back Henry Parrish Jr. is back after rushing for 617 yards and four touchdowns. So too are receivers Colbie Young, Brashard Smith, Frank Ladson, Xavier Restrepo, Michael Redding and Jacolby George.

When considering expectations for Miami football, though, Ferman points out the schedule alone could make significant improvement over 2022 tough to come by.

“I think the bar being set at 7.5 when you look at the schedule with Texas A&M on there, with a Clemson on there, obviously Florida State looking like it’s going to be a top-10 team this year,” Ferman said, “There’s going to be some tough outs for Miami. If they can get to eight, I think that’s a successful season this year.”

Miami will get a chance to iron out any offseason kinks with a tune-up against Miami (Ohio) in the season opener, but Texas A&M comes to Coral Gables in Week 2. Then the ‘Canes will face North Carolina on the road and Clemson at home in back-to-back weeks in the middle of October.

Backt-to-back road trips to NC State and Florida State kick off the November slate.

Bottom line, realistic expectations for Miami football likely include real improvement from 2022 but improvement to the point of contention in the ACC might be a little bit of a stretch.