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The wait is over and Canes football season is finally here. The Miami Hurricanes will be taking on the UAB Blazers on Thursday, September 10. This week’s kickoff will begin not only the start of the 2020-2021 season but Rhett Lashlee’s offensive era. The UAB Blazers already have one win of the season under their belt against the Central Arkansas Bears. The impressive 45-35 victory showed balance through the air and on the ground. Now, they’ll have to deal with D’Eriq King, Cam’Ron Harris, Brevin Jordan, Quincy Roche, Jaelan Phillips, and other Miami Hurricane stars. Here are ten over/under picks for the season opener.
D’Eriq King: 300 Yards Passing and 4 Total TDs
D’Eriq King’s transfer from the Houston Cougars was one of the biggest stories in NCAA football this offseason. King finished his Houston career with 4,925 yards passing, 50 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 1,421 yards rushing. His speed, around the low to mid 4.4s, was in display on several occasions at Houston. As a freshman, he became the first Houston Cougar to throw for a TD, catch one, and have one on a kickoff return in the same game. The bottom line is the Heisman hopeful is full of pure talent. In Lashlee’s scheme we’ll see him at his best. UAB surrendered 193 yards and 3 TDs through the air against Central Arkansas. King will provide a much bigger test for that defense.
Poll
D’Eriq King: 300 Yards Passing
This poll is closed
-
55%
Over
(219 votes) -
33%
Under
(131 votes) -
11%
Even
(45 votes)
Poll
D’Eriq King: 4 Total TDs
This poll is closed
-
35%
Over
(137 votes) -
27%
Under
(106 votes) -
36%
Even
(142 votes)
Cam’Ron Harris: 100 Yards Rushing and 1 Rushing TD
Cam’Ron Harris will finally get his chance to start in 2020. He’s backed by talented freshman Jaylan Knighton and Don Chaney. UAB surrendered just 100 yards on the ground last week. However, both Arkansas State running backs averaged almost 6 yards a carry. Last year, Rhett Lashlee’s SMU Mustangs averaged 180 yards on the ground per game and totaled 35 rushing touchdowns. With Cam’Ron Harris’ skill, he may be in for a good night.
Poll
Cam’Ron Harris: 100 Yards Rushing
This poll is closed
-
68%
Over
(253 votes) -
21%
Under
(80 votes) -
10%
Even
(37 votes)
Poll
Cam’Ron Harris: 1 Rushing TD
This poll is closed
-
53%
Over
(186 votes) -
3%
Under
(12 votes) -
42%
Even
(147 votes)
WR Core: 250 Yards & 2 Receiving TDs
The biggest schematic boost on the offense will come through the air. The Canes upgraded at quarterback and Miami’s offensive play-caller developed the 13th-best passing offense in college football last year. UAB limited Central Arkansas’ primary pass-catchers to 152 yards combined in the first game of the season. Mark Pope is coming off of an 18 reception, 266 yards, and 2 touchdowns 2019 campaign. Dee Wiggins posted 20 receptions, 335 yards, and 4 touchdowns last season. The boost from Mike Harley in the slot, Jeremiah Payton, Keyshawn Smith, and several freshmen should make this an exciting group to watch. The show begins on Thursday night.
Poll
WR Core: 250 Yards
This poll is closed
-
65%
Over
(214 votes) -
22%
Under
(73 votes) -
11%
Even
(39 votes)
Poll
WR Core: 2 Receiving TDs
This poll is closed
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63%
Over
(197 votes) -
6%
Under
(21 votes) -
29%
Even
(91 votes)
Brevin Jordan: 50 Yards Receiving and 1 Receiving TD
Newly selected preseason first-team All-ACC tight end Brevin Jordan is a matchup nightmare. On Thursday night, Central Arkansas threw passes to their tight ends just two times, netting only 3 yards total yards. Jordan finished with 35 receptions, 495 yards, and 2 TDs in 2019. His longest play went for 51 yards, which highlights his explosive ability. Limited by nagging injuries last year, look for the Hurricanes to get Jordan going early and announce his return as one of the best playmakers at his position.
Poll
Brevin Jordan: 50 Yards Receiving
This poll is closed
-
77%
Over
(231 votes) -
8%
Under
(24 votes) -
14%
Even
(42 votes)
Poll
Brevin Jordan: 1 Receiving TD
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28%
Over
(82 votes) -
8%
Under
(24 votes) -
62%
Even
(178 votes)
Sacks Allowed: 2
One area of emphasis for Miami this offseason was to get better up front. Last season, the Canes allowed 51 sacks, which ranked them 3rd-worst nationally. The addition of Jarrid Williams, experience gained by younger players like Zion Nelson, and the upgraded scheme should produce different results in 2020. OLB Linebacker Nikia Eason accounted for all of UAB’s sacks in the game (2). Miami’s offensive line will see a lot of 2-4-5 alignment in this game. We’ll see if the retooled line will be up for the job in the coming days.
Poll
Sacks Allowed: 2
This poll is closed
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34%
Over
(100 votes) -
33%
Under
(97 votes) -
32%
Even
(94 votes)
Defensive Sacks: 3
Speaking of pass rush, the Canes have plenty of it. Quincy Roche, Jaelan Phillips, Cameron Williams, and company have been waiting to be unleashed. Roche, a Chuck Bednarik Award watch list nominee, finished 2019 with 13 sacks (5th best in the nation). We all know the offseason hype surrounding 2019 UCLA transfer Jaelan Phillips. Hopefully, 2020 will serve as his official coming-out party. UAB surrendered 0 sacks in their season opener. But they’ll be facing their toughest test of the season on Thursday night.
Poll
Defensive Sacks: 3
This poll is closed
-
85%
Over
(245 votes) -
3%
Under
(11 votes) -
10%
Even
(30 votes)
Rush Defense: 100 Yards Allowed
UAB senior running back Spencer Brown rushed for 127 yards and 1 TD on 24 carries last week. The 3,000-yard career rusher showed strength and a good burst on several carries. His change-of-pace style backup, Jermaine Brown, ran for 75 yards and 1 TD on 15 carries. The third running back, Lucious Stanley, also reached the end zone in the season opener. Anytime your backs collectively have almost 50 rushes in a game, the ground game is a clear-cut part of your identity. Miami had the 17th-ranked rush defense in 2019. Jon Ford, Nesta Jade Silvera, and the rest of the front seven will look to contain the trio of runners.
Poll
Rush Defense: 100 Yards Allowed
This poll is closed
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39%
Over
(103 votes) -
45%
Under
(117 votes) -
15%
Even
(40 votes)
Pass Defense: 275 Yards Allowed
Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list member Austin Watkins Jr. will be on the field Thursday night and will provide a good test for Al Blades Jr. Last week, Watkins had 7 catches for 72 yards. The tight end position also played a key part in UAB’s success. Fifth-year senior Gerrit Prince had two red zone touchdowns. Zach McCloud, Bradley Jennings Jr., and Sam Brooks will have to keep their eyes on him when UAB is in the money zone.
Poll
Pass Defense: 275 Yards Allowed
This poll is closed
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9%
Over
(23 votes) -
82%
Under
(205 votes) -
8%
Even
(22 votes)
Turnover Chain Appearances: 1
UAB quarterback Tyler Johnston III threw one interception against Central Arkansas. The Blazers also fumbled twice in week 1. We all know the Hurricanes’ knack for creating turnovers during a game. Each season, the turnover chain has only gotten bigger and better. How many times do you predict it makes an appearance this week?
Poll
Turnover Chain Appearances: 1
This poll is closed
-
88%
Over
(233 votes) -
4%
Under
(11 votes) -
7%
Even
(19 votes)
Points Scored: 35 Points
In Miami’s last three games, they scored 0 (Louisiana Tech Bulldogs), 17 (Duke Blue Devils), and 24 (FIU Panthers). But today is a new day and a new offense. Against Central Arkansas, UAB gave up 35 points. What are the chances Miami improves upon, falls shorts, or matches that point total?
Poll
Points Scored: 35 Points
This poll is closed
-
78%
Over
(215 votes) -
11%
Under
(31 votes) -
9%
Even
(27 votes)
What are your overall thoughts on the UAB matchup? What statement do you want the Canes to make in week 1?