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On Wednesday morning, the Atlantic Coast Conference released the 2020 schedule for its member teams. The announcement was made exclusively on the Packer and Durham show on the ACC Network.
When you combine the now-released ACC schedule with the already-reported and announced non-conference schedule, the entire slate for the Hurricanes in 2020 is now known. Here’s how the schedule breaks down: (games are on Saturdays unless otherwise noted)
Also another quick note: there is only 1 bye week this year, not the 2 that were in the calendar in 2019.
Week 1: vs Temple Owls, September 5th
Miami opens the 2020 season with a game against one of the better G5 teams: Temple. Yes, this was slated to be Manny Diaz’s return to HRS when he took the head coaching job at Temple a couple years ago, but Diaz left that job after 13 days to return to Miami. This will be the debut of the Rhett Lashlee offense, with D’Eriq King at QB, and former Temple DE and 2019 AAC Defensive Player of the Year Quincy Roche for the Canes.
Week 2: vs Wagner Seahawks, September 12
The annual FCS sacrificial lamb. Blowout city on deck.
Week 3: vs UAB Blazers, September 19
Another better-than-you-think G5 team, UAB is a team that you cannot overlook. The Blazers won 9 games last year, and will be a tough, athletic team. A good test for the Canes early.
Week 4: at Michigan State Spartans, September 26
The marquee non-conference game of the season, Miami will travel to East Lansing to play the traditionally-tough Spartans. I know you’re looking at MSU’s recent results and think this will be a walk, but as a Michigan native who has watched this team for a long time, I’m telling you, do NOT take Michigan State lightly.
Week 5: vs Pittsburgh Panthers, October 3
The ACC schedule begins with a visit from the Pitt Panthers. Miami eked out a close win against Pitt last year, but hopefully this game is a bit more decisive in Miami’s favor.
Week 6: at Wake Forest Demon Deacons, FRIDAY October 9
The yearly non-Saturday game, Miami travels to Winston-Salem to face off against Wake Forest on a FRIDAY NIGHT. I hate Friday games because it tanks a full week for recruiting, but winning is the salve for everything. Wake will have a new QB, but Clawson is a good coach and the Demon Deacons will be ready for this feature game. IDK if they do a blackout game or #ZeroDarkFriday or anything, but if something like that were to happen at Wake Forest, this week is a good bet for when.
Week 7: BYE WEEK - October 17
Whew. Relaxation.
Week 8: vs North Carolina Tar Heels, October 24
4th and 17 is a memory Canes fans are trying to erase. This will be the chance to do that, but Mack Brown’s team, led by now-sophomore QB Sam Howell, will not be a pushover.
Week 9: at Virginia Cavaliers, October 31
Miami hits the road to go to Charlottesville to face off against the reigning ACC Coastal Champions. But, let it be known, Miami beat Virginia last year, and they’ll look to continue that streak this year.
Week 10: vs Florida State Seminoles, November 7
Miami.
Florida State.
Say less.
Week 11: at Virginia Tech Hokies, November 14
Miami turned the ball over a million times in a 42-35 loss to the Hokies last year. Miami won in their last trip to Blacksburgh, and they look to do that again, and get a measure of revenge on the Hokies this weekend.
Week 12: at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, November 21
One of Miami’s many bad losses last year was at home to Georgia Tech. Payback is on the menu this weekend.
Week 13: vs Duke Blue Devils, November 28
The season-finale is vs Duke. I know I sound like a broken record, but this is a revenge game too. And, Duke is on a 2-game winning streak vs Miami — the first time that’s ever happened — and the Canes need to ensure that doesn’t get to 3 games.
4 non-conference games (which we knew) followed by 8 conference games and the bye week.
The schedule is pretty balanced with home and away games. But, 5 of the last 9 are on the road after Miami opens at home for the first 3 weeks of the year. That could be a factor later in the year.
That’s it. That’s the schedule. Which game(s) are you excited for?