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Miami Football: 2017 Game-by-game predictions

By Jerran Anderson

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 Justin Berl/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images /

The Pittsburgh Panthers will have former USC backup quarterback Max Browne under center come November 24. Browne joined the team this past offseason as a graduate transfer. If things change for the Panthers before their final ACC game, Browne could be replaced.

It’s hard to foresee Browne faring poorly with targets like Quadree Henderson and Jester Weah at wide receiver to throw to. Running back Qadree Ollison is due for another breakout year at playing backup to James Conner.

The Panthers defense has to play better, especially in the secondary, if they want to have a chance in this game. The Miami Hurricanes lit the Panthers defense up for 51 points in a 23-point victory last year.

Pittsburgh should have a renewed confidence in a few position changes on defense. However, Miami may be on too much of a roll to worry about the Panthers. They’ll need to finish the 2017 season strong to call it a success.

Miami has won nine of the last 10 meetings and overcame a 100-yard kickoff return from Quadree Henderson and 115 receiving yards and a touchdown from Jester Weah. Miami running back Mark Walton ran for over 125 rushing yards (8.9 yards per carry) and a touchdown and wide receiver Ahmmon Richards had 144 receiving yards to offset all of that.

With so many weapons returning on both sides, fans are sure to see a shootout finale in the ACC.

Final: Pittsburgh 35, Miami 49

End of regular season: 10-2 (6-2 ACC)

Finishing 6-2 would put the Miami Hurricanes in some interesting territory in the ACC Coastal standings. They could very well defeat the Virginia Tech Hokies and go 7-1 but it’s hard to pick against a Bud Foster-led defense.

Truth be told, the Hokies have a favorable ACC schedule entering 2017. The Hokies toughest games in-conference this season is arguably a home against Clemson and then two straight road games against Georgia Tech and Miami.

Next: Ranking the top 50 players in college football in 2017

November 4 will be an important game for the Hurricanes, especially if they want to return to the ACC Championship. Or, it could be the Hokies with their second-straight appearance under Justin Fuente.

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