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Miami Football: 5 early bold predictions for 2018 season

By Justin Dottavio

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 01: Shaquille Quarterman #55 of the Miami Hurricanes recovers a fumble for a touchdown during the first half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 01: Shaquille Quarterman #55 of the Miami Hurricanes recovers a fumble for a touchdown during the first half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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4. Miami loses to Virginia Tech

Recently, Miami has struggled to travel to Blacksburg, Va., to beat the Virginia Tech Hokies. In 2016, Mark Richt’s first year in Coral Gables, Miami was throttled by the Hokies 31-16.

Virginia Tech has defended its home field against Miami four of the past five times the ‘Canes have traveled north and lost eight of their last 11 games in Blacksburg. Lane Stadium has a loud, wild crowd and from the moment “Enter Sandman” starts to play to the final whistle they will be rowdy and can affect a quarterback’s communication and confidence.

Add the environment and history to a Bud Foster defensive scheme and Josh Jackson and you have a recipe for disaster for Miami. The Hurricanes, by Nov. 17, will have to prove they have the depth to survive a road game at Georgia Tech followed by another road trip to Virginia Tech.

Losing defensive tackles Kendrick Norton, RJ McIntosh and Anthony Moten will prove costly as Miami faces teams that will look to run the football with authority in LSU, Florida State, Georgia Tech and the Hokies not to mention an improving Boston College Eagles team. Foster may even be picking on N’Kosi Perry by then, a redshirt freshman quarterback who is rumored to have struggled picking up the college game but has four-star talent.

Miami will have to prove it can score against Bud Foster’s defense on the road, while also slowing down an improving Jackson. The young quarterback struggled against Miami as a freshman but a home game with a season of starting under his belt will show growth under head coach Justin Fuente. I predict Miami loses by three on the road to the Hokies.

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