Miami Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020 season

For the ACC opener for the Hurricanes, the Pitt Panthers come to town in what should be a key clash in the Coastal division. Miami won the division in 2017 and the Panthers the year after.

The Hurricanes are 5-2 against the Panthers since they moved to the ACC and the Hurricanes have always played Pitt well, dating back to their days in the Big East. After Pitt shocked the second-ranked Hurricanes in 2017, Miami has won the last two, including last years thriller.

Pitt brings back 17 starters from last years team and if the Panthers can figure out a way to win the close games, they could win their second ACC Coastal title in three seasons.

With the game being at home, I’m going to give the edge to Miami. I think the Hurricanes can limit Kenny Pickett and force turnovers with their pass rush and start off ACC play with a win.

Final Score: Miami 35, Pitt 24 (4-1, 1-0 ACC)

Another Friday night game for Miami, this time on the road against Wake Forest, a team that the Hurricanes have not played since 2013 and Miami sports a seven-game winning streak against the Demon Deacons dating all the way back to 1944.

Wake Forest returns nine starters from a very solid defense in 2020 and they should be good yet again on that side of the ball as they have been since Dave Clawson took over the program.

Clawson will be looking to lead Wake Forest to a school record fourth straight bowl game and the big question that the Demon Deacons will have to answer is how to replace Jamie Newman, who transferred to Georgia. Sam Hartman has experience and has played well in limited opportunities and he will have an elite wide receiver to throw to in Sage Surratt.

All the ingredients are here for Wake to pull the upset and earn their first victory over the Hurricanes since 1944.

Final Score: Miami 20, Wake Forest 24 (4-2, 1-1)