College Football Preview 2024: Miami Hurricanes win projections, strengths and weaknesses, quarterback spotlight and more

Head coach: Mario Cristobal (third season)
2023 record: 7-6 (lost Pinstripe Bowl)
PFF power ranking: 31st
Chance to win the ACC: 5%
Strength of schedule: 49th
Projected win total: 6.9
FanDuel win total: 9.5
2024 recruiting rank (On3): No. 5 nationally, No. 1 in the ACC

After starting 2023 with a 4-0 record, Miami lost six of its last nine games, including a disaster against Georgia Tech where the Hurricanes simply had to kneel to win the game.

Mario Cristobal heads into his third year as head coach with pressure mounting after starting his tenure with just a 12-13 record. Fortunately for him, he has arguably the best roster in the ACC at his disposal, with many key players returning and some massive transfer additions set to contribute. Miami owns top-10 units at running back, receiving corps, offensive line and defensive line while also having a quarterback with immense potential in Washington State transfer Cam Ward.

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Biggest Strength: Defensive line

Miami has PFF’s third-ranked defensive line in college football because of a deep edge defender room. Rueben Bain Jr., Tyler Baron, Elijah Alston and Akheem Mesidor are all outstanding players who would start for most schools. The Hurricanes are also set up very well at defensive tackle thanks to the additions of Simeon Barrow Jr., C.J. Clark and Marley Cook from the transfer portal.

Biggest Weakness: Secondary

Miami returns only one starter to its secondary, cornerback Daryl Porter Jr., and added starting slot cornerback Mishael Powell from the transfer portal. Three other projected starters earned sub-65.0 PFF overall grades in reserve roles last year: cornerback Damari Brown, safety Jaden Harris and Arizona transfer safety Isaiah Taylor.

2023 Team Overview

Offense
EPA per play	Yards per play	Successful play rate	Explosive run play rate	Explosive pass play rate
0.084	6.4	36.6	15.7%	16.4%
34th	28th	48th	T-60th	37th
Defense
EPA allowed per play	Yards allowed per play	Successful play rate allowed	Explosive run rate allowed	Explosive pass rate allowed
-0.041	5.3	33.5%	14.8%	14.3%
T-55th	T-40th	49th	58th	67th

Three Notable Transfer Portal Additions

QB Cam Ward (Washington State): 80.2 PFF grade
RB Damien Martinez (Oregon State): 83.1 PFF grade
EDGE Tyler Baron (Tennessee): 78.5 PFF grade

Three Notable Transfer Portal Losses

QB Tyler Van Dyke (Wisconsin): 85.9 PFF grade
WR Colbie Young (Georgia): 70.2 PFF grade
DI Jared Harrison-Hunte (SMU): 65.6 PFF grade

Quarterback Spotlight: Cam Ward

2023 Grade: 80.2
Key Stat: 90.3 PFF passing grade on plays under 2.5 seconds (second in FBS)