Miami Hurricanes 2023 Football Season Betting Guide

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Coach Mario Cristobal’s first football season back at his alma mater Miami (Fla.) went great off the field in terms of recruiting and fundraising, but the product on the field left much to be desired as the Canes finished 5-7. What to expect from UM in 2023?

Miami (FL) Hurricanes 2023 Season Betting Guide | MyBookie College Betting Preview

Odds to win ACC: +1800

Over-under win total: 7.5

The Hurricanes struggled in Coach Mario Cristobal’s first season in 2022, mustering just a 5-7 record and failing to reach bowl eligibility for the first time since 2007. As bad as Miami was at times – and it lost by two touchdowns at home to Middle Tennessee and also by an embarrassing 42 at home to Florida State – the Canes had a shot to make a bowl if they won their 2022 finale, but they were stomped 42-16 by Pittsburgh. That essentially summed up UM’s season.

Miami was a chic pick to win the Coastal Division because QB Tyler Van Dyke was so good as a freshman in 2021, but he took a huge step back in 2022. In the first four games, he didn’t pass for more than 261 yards and had two games under 200 yards while throwing four TDs and three interceptions. When Van Dyke finally got going, he injured his shoulder — he missed three full games and parts of three others due to the shoulder. He finished throwing for 1,844 yards with 10 touchdowns to 5 interceptions.

Once Van Dyke got hurt, that began a difficult stretch with Jake Garcia and Jacurri Brown playing the position. Too much inexperience between the two led to some dreadful offensive performances. Most of last year’s wideouts return, but Van Dyke needs someone to become a star. It could be Alabama (and Louisville) transfer Tyler Harrell.

Cristobal made changes on both sides of the ball on his staff in the offseason and was able to convince Van Dyke to stay instead of transferring. Shannon Dawson takes over as the offensive coordinator. Dawson spent the past four seasons at the University of Houston, including the last three as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

In the past three seasons, Houston quarterbacks combined to throw 87 touchdown passes (13th nationally) behind a 65.3 completion percentage (19th nationally) and 10,008 passing yards (21st nationally). Dawson tutored signal caller Clayton Tune to a record-setting career. In 2022, Tune set the American Athletic Conference single-season touchdown passes record (40).

Miami’s offensive line was a weakness last season, but it could be a strength in 2023 with the addition of five-star freshmen Francis Mauigoa and Samson and transfers in former Alabama guard Javion Cohen and former UCF center Matt Lee.

On defense, Miami hired former Marshall defensive coordinator Lance Guidry. Under Guidry’s guidance, Marshall finished No. 8 nationally in total defense and No. 6 in scoring defense at just 16 points per game allowed last year. Miami finished No. 65 in total defense under DC Kevin Steele last year.

In the spring game, Van Dyke – the 2021 ACC Rookie of the Year – completed 13 of 19 passes for 185 yards and a TD.

“I felt comfortable. To be able to have the freedom to go wherever with the ball is nice. Based on what the defense gives you, you can change the plays,” Van Dyke said of Dawson’s system. “It gives a quarterback a lot of freedom to put the ball in the right spots. I thought we communicated well with all the plays tonight. That was the biggest thing. I thought we executed well. I mean, there’s definitely some things we could have done better, as always.”

There are no longer any divisions in the ACC but still eight conference games. Miami should at worst got 3-1 out of conference as it will for sure beat Miami of Ohio, Bethune-Cookman and Temple with only the Temple game on the road.

The one test will be when Texas A&M visits on Sept. 9. Last year in College Station, the Canes lost 17-9. Miami wideout Brashard Smith dropped a pass on fourth-and-4 with about 30 seconds left to allow the Aggies to run out the clock for the victory. Van Dyke had 217 yards passing, but couldn’t get the Hurricanes in the end zone.

Miami could be favored in every home game overall except on Oct. 21 vs. Clemson. On the road, UM will be a dog at least at North Carolina and Florida State in ACC action.