By: Robert Craft

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Miami should be better than they have shown- this program has big talent that is worth getting excited about.

With that being said,  The Hurricanes took a big step backwards during Mario Cristobal’s first season as head coach. Does this team have what it takes to change their downward trajectory?

On one hand, Cristobal underachieved at Oregon in addition to Miami. I have  no confidence in his ability to turn around a program that has managed one double-digit win since 2004.

The Hurricanes bring in new coordinators on both sides of the ball and a flurry of transfers, but is it enough? A lot will hinge on Tyler Van Dyke reverting to 2021 form following his 2022 injury-riddled season but, even then…

Shannon Dawson, unlike Miami’s previous offensive coordinator, doesn’t believe the Hurricanes have a talent problem. Of course, Dawson, a former assistant to Hal Mumme and Dana Holgerson, had more talent to work with than Josh Gattis did. Sounds like Dawson’s speaking from experience.

Coach Cristobal beefed up the Canes offensive line with two huge transfers and two five-star offensive tackle recruits. He added much needed depth at running back, wide receiver and tight end through the portal and incoming freshman class. I mean, how hard is it to sell Miami to a high school senior?

Dawson said he’ll be on the field to call plays so he can look his quarterback in the eye.

The position belongs to Van Dyke, with Brown set as backup after Jake Garcia transferred  to Missouri. Freshman Emory Williams, a former Elite 11 Finalist, looked good in the spring game, but the feeling is Brown and his break neck speed is on pace to replace Van Dyke.

Last year, Miami’s season spiraled when Van Dyke sprained the AC joint in his throwing shoulder in a  home loss to Duke.

Miami’s defense last season finished 10th in the ACC in points allowed per game (26.8), 11th in yards allowed per rush (4.0) and next-to-last in passing efficiency defense, allowing a league-worst 8.3 yards per attempt. The Hurricanes also finished 98th nationally in third-down defense (42 percent). Isn’t there a saying about defense and championships? What’s not clicking on this side of the ball?

Lance Guidry (new defensive coordinator) isn’t the type of coordinator who believes you need to dive deep into your bench for help. His philosophy is to play his best players — a lot.

Let’s face it, this is a program that’s wallowed in disappointment for a while now. Miami has won 10 games once in the last 19 seasons, a once unfathomable statistic for a program that had won 10 or more games in nine of 10 seasons from 1985-94. It feels their teams always have potential, but never enough to break the downward trend.

Then there’s the schedule. Miami’s already been listed by DraftKings as a 6-5-point underdog at home vs. Texas A&M, gives up 10 points at Clemson and is a double-digit underdog at FSU as well, plus the Canes are likely going to be underdogs at North Carolina. It’s not easy being an elite football program without an elite football team.

With those considered probable losses, there also will be matchups against pretty good NC State and Louisville teams. Those could go either way.

Miami was atrocious as a unit on both sides of the ball, especially when you look at their talent. Sure, that talent raises the floor, but last year was such a disaster that it’s hard to project them getting eight wins.