This Saturday afternoon, the Miami Hurricanes will take the sector in Arduous Rock Stadium for the primary time within the 2022 season, and extra considerably, for the primary time with head coach Mario Cristobal on the helm. Their opening weekend opponent is FCS Bethune-Cookman, who went 2-9 in 2021.

On paper, this needs to be a day on the park for the Canes. However that is school soccer and nothing’s a certain factor, particularly in Week 1. Nonetheless Cristobal and firm ought to have the ability to deal with the Wildcats pretty simply of their first sport underneath the brand new regime. Listed here are some keys to the sport for the Canes to win and win soundly.

Key #1: Cease Wildcats TE Kemari Averett

Whereas BCU does not have many massive identify gamers, their tight finish Kemari Averett has as a lot expertise as most Energy 5 TEs and needs to be a professional late spherical prospect in subsequent April’s NFL Draft. Averett is a matchup nightmare at 6’7″ and 250 kilos with deceptively fast toes for his dimension. He pulled in over 800 yards (876) and 10 touchdowns in 2021. If Bethune-Cookman goes to make some impactful offensive performs, it will be by way of Averett. The Hurricanes might want to key on him, particularly on third downs and across the redzone.

Key #2: Dominate Up Entrance

Miami has talked rather a lot about their offensive line enhancements and philosophy adjustments this offseason. Now it is time to put all that retooling to the take a look at in what needs to be a glorified heat up for the Hurricanes linemen. Offensively, the entrance 5 wants to guard quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. If his jersey will get soiled in any respect, it could possibly be thought of a little bit of a letdown by the O-Line. Discovering their rhythm early will go a great distance this season, particularly with two operating backs out of the fold with accidents in the mean time. 

On protection, it will primarily be the primary tryout for a really deep group of defensive linemen. It will likely be fascinating to see who steps as much as make some performs and carve out a extra everlasting spot for themselves on this rotation.  Followers will get their first take a look at transfers Mitchell Agude and Ahkeem Mesidor on Saturday as properly. It is crucial that the Canes dominate the trenches on each side of the ball.

Key #3: No Accidents

That is as a lot a key to the remainder of the season as it’s to this sport. May the Canes win this one with out some key gamers? Actually. Would they have the ability to down the street? Virtually inevitably, no. So, as a lot as followers, and even Cristobal himself, could wish to tear the lid off of their first matchup, Miami must maintain their cool. This isn’t a press release sport the place leaving starters in to place up 70 can be checked out with awe. It is a sport the place the backups are hopefully on the sector earlier than halftime. The Hurricanes clearly must (and may) win this sport handily, however it’s extra vital that they escape unscathed bodily. 

This shouldn’t be a barn burner by any means, however consideration to element is vital when a convention championship berth is on the season’s agenda. The Hurricanes must tune up as a lot as they will in these first two video games earlier than they tackle their greater obstacles down the street. 

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