Miami Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Bethune-Cookman

The 2017 Miami football season is finally here and they open the season against Bethune-Cookman on Saturday. Here are three bold predictions.

The Hurricanes begin the 2017 season at home Sept. 2 against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Miami is heavily favored and most observers do not expect much of a contest.

Following up a 9-4 season with an even better record won’t be easy, especially since the Hurricanes lost starting quarterback Brad Kaaya to the NFL. Will Malik Rosier and Co. be able to fill the voids?

Here are three bold predictions for the opening game.

3. Mark Walton will have 125 yards rushing… in the first half

Mark Walton led all returning ACC running backs in rushing yards last year with 1,117 yards, and finished the year with 14 touchdowns. He was also named the most underrated running back in college football by Bleacher Report. 

The Bethune-Cookman defense surely won’t see another back of Walton’s caliber this season. Given that quarterback Malik Rosier is only making his second career start, Walton should see a lot of early carries. 

Miami lost their primary backup in Joe Yearby who surprisingly declared for the NFL draft. The Hurricanes also saw Gus Edwards transfer to Rutgers. This leaves Walton to lead an otherwise inexperienced backfield, sophomore Travis Homer is second on the depth chart. 

Walton is clearly the alpha back in Miami and will get the majority of the carries this year. He will surely be a security blanket for Rosier and the Hurricanes offense. 

Bethune-Cookman won’t have an answer for Walton, and behind a veteran offensive line against an over-matched defense he is poised for a big day.