Miami Football 2012: One Good Reason Why the Canes Can Beat Every Opponent

First and foremost, I am not saying that Miami will beat every opponent they face in the 2012 season, my early prediction is they go 8-4 (plus maybe a bowl victory if they are eligible), but this is college football and just a couple years ago Auburn proved to the nation that anything is possible.

Miami lost many good players to the NFL heading into this season, but they return a lot of players that got a lot of playing time last year due to depth issues.

Barring any severe penalties that will be handed down by the NCAA this summer, here are my reasons why the Hurricanes can beat every opponent on their schedule.

Note: Miami has yet to release their ACC dates and times, so except for the out-of-conference games, the rest of this schedule is not in any particular order. 

Boston College Eagles

Where: Alumni Stadium (Chestnut Hill, MA)

When: TBD

Last Time Played: Boston College won 24-17 (2011)

Reason Miami Can Win: The Hurricanes should have beaten the Eagles last year, but Jacory Harris threw  four interceptions keeping Miami from getting their seventh win of the season.

This year the Hurricanes will have an upgraded defensive backfield to stop Chase Rettig from picking the Hurricanes defensive backfield apart.

The only concern in this game is that the Eagles will be getting back running back stud, Montel Harris.

If the Hurricanes can stop Harris from having a big game, I think they win this game.

Note: Rumor has it that this will be the first game on Miami's schedule.

Kansas State Wildcats

Where: Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium (Manhatten, KS)

When: Sept. 9, 2012

Last Time Played: Kansas State won 28-24 (2011)

Reason Miami Can Win: This will most likely be the toughest test the Hurricanes face all year.  Kansas State returns almost everyone back on offense.

The reason why I think the Hurricanes can win this game is because Collin Klein will not surprise Miami this year like he did last year. 

Klein's play on the ground (93 yards rushing) and through the air (12/18, 133 yards, and two touchdowns) kept the short-handed Hurricanes' defense on its toes all game.

The Hurricanes must be able to stop the two-headed monster of Klein and the running of John Hubert (166 yards against Miami last year) if they want any chance at all to win.

Virginia Cavaliers

Where: Scott Stadium (Charlottesville, VA)

When: TBD

Last Time Played: Virginia won 28-21 (2011)

Reason Miami Can Win: Virginia was a much improved team last year ending the year at 8-5, but the loss of 10 players on offense and defense will be felt throughout the season.

The Hurricanes offense should be able to put more points on the Cavalier defense that will be missing six starters.

Miami only gained 85 yards on the ground last year against Virginia and will need a much better output this year if they want to come away with a win.

Florida State Seminoles

Where: Sun Life Stadium (Miami, FL)

When: TBD

Last Time Played: FSU won 23-19

Reason Miami Can Win: The Hurricanes struggled offensively against the Seminoles last year, but still came close to beating FSU in Tallahassee.

Last season, Miami beat Florida State in every aspect of the game, but special teams and turnovers eventually stopped Miami from scoring the upset.

I am still not convinced that EJ Manuel is the answer for Florida State, and I think Miami can frustrate the Seminole quarterback into some mistakes.

Miami's main concern against FSU will be putting up points against one of the best defenses in the country.

Obviously this game is a huge rivalry and Miami has every opportunity in the world to come away with a 'W.'

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Where: Sun Life Stadium (Miami, FL)

When: TBD

Last Time Played: Miami won 24-7 (2011)

Reason Miami Can Win: The Hurricanes are one of very few teams that have the players to stop the triple-option that the Yellow Jackets run.

The Hurricanes did it last year, and I see no change in this years result. The Hurricanes have the athletes that stay disciplined to stop that option and enough on offense to come out with a victory.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Where: Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)

When: Oct. 10, 2012

Last Time Played: Notre Dame won 33-17 (Sun Bowl, 2011)

Reason Miami Can Win: Miami can certainly beat Notre Dame, but will need a great game from their passing attack to do so.

Notre Dame lost both starting cornerbacks and a safety to graduation last year. If the Hurricanes' Stephen Morris or Ryan Williams can get the wide receivers in the game, Miami can steal one from the Irish.

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

Where: Sun Life Stadium (Miami, FL)

When: Oct. 13, 2012

Last Time Played: Miami won 45-14 (2011)

Reason Miami Can Win: Bethune-Cookman just doesn't have the players to compete with the Hurricanes, and it showed last year when Miami beat the Wildcats 45-14.

Expect more of the same this year in what will be a welcoming game after playing Notre Dame in Illinois.

North Carolina Tarheels

Where: Sun Life Stadium (Miami, FL)

When: TBD

Last Time Played: Miami won 30-24 (2011)

Reason Miami Can Win: The Hurricanes were beating the Tar Heels pretty convincingly last year, but a let-up in the fourth quarter gave North Carolina every chance to comeback and beat Miami.

As it went, Miami won at North Carolina, a rare feat for the Hurricanes as it was their first victory in five attempts at UNC.

The Tar Heels will have a good set of returning players on offense (eight), but their defense took a big hit losing Quinton Coples, Donte Paige-Moss and Zach Brown.

UNC always plays Miami well, and it will be no different this year. If Miami's defense plays all four quarters, something it didn't do last year, the Canes should win this game.

Virginia Tech Hokies

Where: Sun Life Stadium (Miami, FL)

When: TBD

Last Time Played: Virginia Tech won 38-35 (2011)

Reason Miami Can Win: Virginia Tech is only returning four starters on offense this upcoming season, and that alone may not be enough to beat Miami.

The Hurricanes defense struggled against Logan Thomas last year, but Miami had every chance to win the game in Blacksburg.

I believe the Hurricanes improved defense and the lack of returning starters (especially David Wilson and four of their offensive linemen) on the Hokies offense, Miami can get revenge and win this game.

The only question will be stopping Thomas and just like Kansas State's Collin Klein, Thomas won't be as much as a surprise as he was last year.

North Carolina State Wolfpack

Where: Sun Life Stadium (Miami, FL)

When: TBD

Last Time Played: NC State won 38-28 (2008)

Reason Miami Can Win: This is another tough game for Miami next year as North Carolina State had a terrific season last year going 8-5.

They return 15 players overall including a terrific quarterback in Mike Glennon (31 touchdown passes last year).

Miami's cornerbacks will need to play up to their standards in order for the Hurricanes to come away with a victory.

Duke Blue Devils

Where: Wallace Wade Stadium (Durham, NC)

When: TBD

Last Time Played: Miami won 49-14 (2011)

Reason Miami Can Win: Although Duke returns 15 total players, they are still Duke. The Blue Devils came away with just three wins last year (one in the ACC), and although they played pretty good at times, they still aren't that good.

Duke will most likely rely on the arm of senior quarterback Sean Renfree again, but it's hard to win games with an unbalanced attack (unless your Georgia Tech).

Miami's improved defensive backfield will be too much for Duke to handle as Miami should win decisively.

South Florida Bulls

Where: Sun Life Stadium (Miami, FL)

When: Nov. 24, 2012

Last Time Played: Miami won 6-3 (2011)

Reason Miami Can Win: Miami had to rely on Jake Wieclaws' 36-yard field goal with time expiring to beat USF last year.

It was an embarrassing game for Miami, as their offense couldn't get anything started against the Bulls as Miami was limited to just 63 yards rushing.

South Florida will be returning 16 starters next year, and if Miami wants to come away with a victory, they will need to be able to run the ball a lot better than they did last year.