2020 Team Preview: Can Miami Find The Answer On Offense?

The Miami Hurricanes have had solid defenses even in seasons when their overall record hasn’t been that great. The problem which has dogged the Miami program for the past 15 years has been at one position. You will quickly find out what position that is. It is the secret to UM regaining success and being able to return to its status as one of the powerhouses in college football.

Offseason Changes

The biggest change – the one which got noticed the most in Miami – was the transition at offensive coordinator. Rhett Lashlee replaced Dan Enos as offensive coordinator. This is the third straight year in which Miami has a different offensive coordinator. It is a reflection of the program’s inability to solve its offensive woes and find the ingredients needed to thrive.

The good news is that Miami was able to make an impact in the transfer market. D’Eriq King, a transfer from the University of Houston, made his way to Miami. He is probably the most talented quarterback Miami has had over the past five years. Lashlee will need to get the most out of him for the Hurricanes to be a quality team.

Manny Diaz with a statement on naming D’Eriq King starting quarterback of the Miami Hurricanes. pic.twitter.com/j2Fd5P7Yc1

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) July 27, 2020

The other changes involved players going to the NFL Draft: Linebacker Shaq Quarterman, running back DeeJay Dallas, receiver K.J. Osborn, and defensive end Jonathan Garvin all went to the pros.

The Hurricanes Will Succeed If…

Their defense can set the tone early in the season, especially along their defensive line. The Hurricanes have Quincy Roche and Gregory Rousseau in the fold. Both are highly-lauded players who have made an impact in the ACC in recent seasons. Nesta Jade Silvera and Jonathan Ford give them quality depth up front. Miami is good and loaded with reinforcements on its defensive line. This is easily the best position group on the team. If the offense needs a few weeks to settle into the season and find its bearings, the defensive line has to be on top of its game, carrying the Canes through the rougher patches of the season schedule.

The Hurricanes Will Fail If…

The quarterback puzzle can’t be solved. Miami just doesn’t get elite-level quarterback play anymore. The last really good Miami quarterback was Ken Dorsey, who led Miami to a national championship in the 2001 season and then lead the Canes to the national title game in the 2002 season. Ever since then, it has been a mess at quarterback. Miami cycles through one signal-caller after another and doesn’t get results. D’Eriq King and Rhett Lashlee need to find a way to be on the same page. Lashlee needs to be able to squeeze the most out of King’s talents. If he can, the ceiling becomes fairly high for this team.

Prediction

King should improve the Miami offense, but the question is: How much? North Carolina clearly has a better offense, as does Clemson. Notre Dame has a better defense than Miami. Even if the Hurricanes do really well, it will be hard to punch through the top tier of the ACC. Not having a Coastal Division-Atlantic Division split, and having to deal with Notre Dame as an ACC member for one season, both hurt the Canes.

Prediction: 5th in ACC

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