Alabama Football preview regular season opponents: Miami

Alabama Football and the Miami Hurricanes will open the season in a complete role reversal from their history. Twenty-eight years and roughly nine months ago, the Hurricanes were the baddest boys in college football. They were in your face brash but they backed it up on the field.

The Canes were ranked No. 1 and the Alabama Crimson Tide was No. 2, but few, other than Alabama fans, thought the National Championship game would be close. The line was eight points, but many pundits were predicting a two-touchdown win for the Canes.

Miami was going for its fifth National Championship in 10 seasons. The Crimson Tide had not won one since 1979. This year, the Crimson Tide goes to Atlanta to begin pursuit of a seventh National Championship in 13 seasons. Miami has not won one since 2001. In Miami’s 17, ACC seasons, going back to 2004, the Canes have averaged five losses each season.

Miami is where Alabama Football was in 2008 with one big exception. The Canes don’t have Nick Saban. Like the 2008 Crimson Tide, Miami badly needs a statement win. A win that provides an answer to a question the Canes are tired of being asked.

In his third season as the Canes head coach, Manny Diaz needs to show more than he has. One move to do that is Diaz, with his impressive coordinator background, will take over play-calling for his defense. Diaz and the Canes have a couple of strong reasons to be optimistic. Almost all the offensive starters return. From all reports, D’Eriq King is fully recovered from a knee injury. If King is fully healthy he can be one of the best QBs in college football.

Alan Rubenstein of ‘Canes Warning’ reported King sizzled in the final Miami scrimmage of the preseason. King was 20-of-26, for five touchdowns and no interceptions. King is good enough to do that on many teams – but a suspect Miami defense is not a good measurement.

Miami returns most of its defense, but it is a unit needing improvement. Last season the Canes were 8-1 heading into a game against North Carolina. The Tar Heels rushed for 554 yards and passed for 224 more. The 62-26 loss was followed by a better performance, but another loss to end the season, 37-34 to Oklahoma State.

Miami 2020 stats from sports-reference.com

The Canes have some offensive strengths at quarterback and with experienced receivers. Everything else favors the Crimson Tide.

Alabama Football vs. Miami Position Groups

Quarterback – Advantage Miami
Running Backs – Big Advantage Alabama
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends – Slight Advantage Miami
Offensive Line – Advantage Alabama
Defensive Line – Advantage Alabama
Linebackers – Huge Advantage Alabama
Secondary – Advantage Alabama
Special Teams – Even with doubts about Crimson Tide punting – Advantage Alabama

Check out these previews of other Crimson Tide regular-season opponents.

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