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The Miami Hurricanes are 3-4 and 6th in the ACC Coastal Division. Last week’s 28-21 overtime loss to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-5) left the Canes with a slew of injuries and concerns to reconcile. The unforeseen battle left starting quarterback N’Kosi Perry with a separated shoulder issue. DeeJay Dallas and starting WILL LB Michal Pinckney also sustained knee injuries. The Yellow Jackets posted the most points of their season in Saturday’s game. The Canes up-and-down season continues to spark more questions than answers. Going into Saturday’s noon kickoff against the Pittsburg Panthers (5-2), they’ll face a team on a four-game win streak.
N’Kosi Perry: 200 Yards Passing & 2 TDs
After Wednesday’s practice, Manny Diaz stated, “N’Kosi came in and finished the game a week ago, so both those guys are cleared and ready to play.” Diaz also said Perry’s shoulder injury won’t factor into his availability for the game. The juggle between if Jarren Williams will start or Perry, was settled earlier today with Perry with taking the lead. Perry finished 16 for 288 yards, for 2 TDs, and 0 INTs on Saturday. Perry’s average-per-attempt, yardage, and attempts were almost identical to his Virginia Cavaliers stat line. Pitt gives up an average of 212 yards to the air in each game. It will be interesting to see if Perry can match that bar.
Poll
N’Kosi Perry: 200 Yards Passing
This poll is closed
-
48%
Over
(44 votes) -
46%
Under
(42 votes) -
5%
Even
(5 votes)
Poll
N’Kosi Perry: 2 TDs
This poll is closed
-
17%
Over
(16 votes) -
54%
Under
(49 votes) -
27%
Even
(25 votes)
Cam’Ron Harris: 100 Yards Rushing & 1 TD
Cam’Ron Harris did not disappoint last week. The thunderous runner had a career-high 18 carries for 136 yards in a physical matchup. His impressive 7.6 average was ballooned by a great 42-yard run in the fourth quarter. He also had 3 receptions, for 31 yards, and a TD. Harris is the next man up in the backfield after DeeJay Dallas’ injury. Diaz said Dallas will travel with the team, but there doesn’t seem to be much inclination that he will play. Pittsburgh gives up under 100 yards in each contest (90.1). If Harris can push over the century mark in beyond, it will truly go a long way in helping the Canes win.
Poll
Cam’Ron Harris: 100 Yards Rushing
This poll is closed
-
42%
Over
(37 votes) -
54%
Under
(47 votes) -
3%
Even
(3 votes)
Poll
Cam’Ron Harris: 1 TD
This poll is closed
-
30%
Over
(26 votes) -
13%
Under
(11 votes) -
55%
Even
(47 votes)
Lorenzo Lingard: 4 Carries
Fellow 2018 running back prospect Lorenzo Lingard may get some opportunities this weekend with the injury to Dallas. The consensus five-star prospect spent time last year splitting carries as the third-string running back. Lingard already saw a slither of action this year. He can play in three more games and still maintain his intended redshirt status.
Poll
Lorenzo Lingard: 4 Carries
This poll is closed
-
41%
Over
(35 votes) -
47%
Under
(40 votes) -
10%
Even
(9 votes)
Brevin Jordan: 50 Yards Receiving & 4 Receptions
Brevin Jordan, one of the Canes’ most dynamic mismatches, averages 4 catches a game. Against GT, Brevin finished with 3 catches for 21 yards. His longest reception was for 12 yards in the back-an-forth matchup. When given the opportunity to make plays, Jordan’s true playmaking ability can become nightmarish for opposing teams. The Canes may want to lean on this reliable pass catcher who’s always been much more than a quarterback outlet.
Poll
Brevin Jordan: 50 Yards Receiving
This poll is closed
-
68%
Over
(58 votes) -
23%
Under
(20 votes) -
8%
Even
(7 votes)
Poll
Brevin Jordan: 4 Receptions
This poll is closed
-
60%
Over
(48 votes) -
21%
Under
(17 votes) -
17%
Even
(14 votes)
K.J. Osborn: 50 Yards Receiving & 1 TD
The Hurricanes’ number one wide receiver finished with 4 catches, for 39 yards, and 1 TD last week. Against the Syracuse Orange, the Panthers allowed Taj Harris (111 yards) and Trishton Jackson (76 yards) to go for over 50 yards. Both players had massive chunk plays, including Harris’ 94-yard TD reception. As we’ve seen this year, Osborn has great hands and can consistently make plays.
Poll
K.J. Osborn: 50 Yards Receiving
This poll is closed
-
56%
Over
(44 votes) -
25%
Under
(20 votes) -
17%
Even
(14 votes)
Poll
K.J. Osborn: 1 TD
This poll is closed
-
18%
Over
(13 votes) -
26%
Under
(19 votes) -
55%
Even
(40 votes)
Mike Harley: 50 Yards Receiving
Jeff Thomas’ suspension won’t have him back in action until the Florida State Seminoles war next week. In Thomas’ absence, both Dee Wiggins and Mike Harley stepped up. Wiggins finished with 2 catches for 62 yards. Harley doubled Wiggins’ catch total and had 50 yards. As noted above Pittsburg, if you can pass-block, gives up solid numbers to more than one receiver. Do you see Harley being a difference-maker in Thomas’ continued absence?
Poll
Mike Harley: 50 Yards Receiving
This poll is closed
-
18%
Over
(13 votes) -
63%
Under
(44 votes) -
17%
Even
(12 votes)
Sacks Allowed: 4
It’s time to put a glaring question mark on the list. Miami hasn’t had a clean game since the Bethune-Cookman matchup. Last week Georgia Tech got to our quarterback 3 times. Pittsburgh is ranked number 1 in that nation in sacks (36). Their impressive pass rush will be a focal point in the Canes game plan tomorrow. We’re a far cry from giving up 10 sacks against the Florida Gators, but the offensive line will have a tough out against the Panthers.
Poll
Sacks Allowed: 4
This poll is closed
-
73%
Over
(62 votes) -
7%
Under
(6 votes) -
19%
Even
(16 votes)
Defensive Sacks: 3
The under won last week, as the Canes defense has 3 sacks. Gregory Rousseu and crew have really been consistent. The Hurricanes had 3 sack last week. The pass rush will be instrumental in knocking off this surging team. Outside of the the Gators game, the Canes have registered 2 or more sacks in each game.
Poll
Defensive Sacks: 3
This poll is closed
-
39%
Over
(31 votes) -
25%
Under
(20 votes) -
35%
Even
(28 votes)
Turnover Chain Appearances: 2
Shaquille Quarterman wore the turnover chain last week. The Hurricanes prowess for creating turnovers has shown up in almost every game in the Manny Diaz era. In order to beat good team, turnovers have to come. How many turnovers do you see the Canes getting?
Poll
Turnover Chain Appearances: 2
This poll is closed
-
7%
Over
(6 votes) -
61%
Under
(50 votes) -
30%
Even
(25 votes)
Total Points: 23
The Miami Hurricanes only scored under 20 points in a game twice year. The Canes will have a tough sledding against against a good Panthers defense. The Pittsburg Panthers allowed 22 points-per-game this year. Do you see the Canes going above that total in a tough out?
Poll
Total Points: 23
This poll is closed
-
33%
Over
(27 votes) -
55%
Under
(45 votes) -
11%
Even
(9 votes)
How do you think the Canes will do against Pitt? What’s your game prediction?