Miami Football: 2017 Game-by-game predictions

CORAL GABLES, FL - NOVEMBER 10: A view from inside the stadium prior to the last college football game played in the Orange Bowl as the Virginia Cavaliers take on the Miami Hurricanes at the Orange Bowl November 10, 2007 in Coral Gables, Florida. The University of Miami, which has played in the Orange Bowl since 1937, will be playing at Dolphin Stadium beginning next season. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
CORAL GABLES, FL - NOVEMBER 10: A view from inside the stadium prior to the last college football game played in the Orange Bowl as the Virginia Cavaliers take on the Miami Hurricanes at the Orange Bowl November 10, 2007 in Coral Gables, Florida. The University of Miami, which has played in the Orange Bowl since 1937, will be playing at Dolphin Stadium beginning next season. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Lance King/Getty Images
Photo by Lance King/Getty Images /

The Virginia Cavaliers went 1-7 in ACC play in 2016. They may win a few more games in 2017, but it could be another season before a lot is expected from Virginia. The Cavaliers went just 2-10 in Bronco Mendenhall’s first season as head coach. They finished 115th in the FBS in scoring offense (22.5 ppg) and 99th in the FBS in scoring defense (33.8 ppg).

They return 14 total starters (six on offense, eight on defense) from last year’s squad. Quarterback Kurt Benkert, last season’s starter, is expected to fare much better. Benkert threw for 2,552 passing yards and 21 touchdowns but was second in the ACC in interceptions (11).

Fans will experience the continued development with senior wide receiver Doni Dowling and junior running back Olamide Zaccheaus. Dowling and Zaccheaus both had over 50 receptions and over 500 receiving yards in 2016.

The loss of all-purpose back Taquan Mizzell will hurt the Cavaliers’ offense. He had 1,344 total yards and seven total touchdowns from scrimmage. Zaccheaus had seven receiving touchdowns

The Miami Hurricanes have won three of the last four games over the Cavaliers. However, they lost three straight games from the 2010-2012 seasons. Other than that, the Hurricanes are 5-2 in contests dating back to their first ever meeting in 1996.

While the odds once favored Virginia, they should be in the Hurricanes’ favor in 2017. Mendenhall and Cavaliers will be an improved unit in his second season, but a Miami victory at home is all but expected here.

Final: Virginia 17, Miami 37 (8-2, 5-2 ACC)