Miami Football: 6 Things the Hurricanes Need to Do to Beat Boston College

The Hurricanes have already clinched their eligibility to be bowl eligible.  Problem is the school has decided to turn down the bowl bid, if given one, due to the current NCAA investigation.

What that means for the Hurricanes is that this game against Boston College will be their "bowl game."

For many of the players (22 seniors and I am sure a few juniors) this will be their last game ever as a Hurricane.

Historically, the Hurricanes have been absolutely dominate against the Eagles winning 23 of the 27 games they have played.

The last time Miami played Boston college was in 2008 when the Eagles defeated Miami, 28-14.

Here are six things the Hurricanes must do to end their season at 7-5.

The Defensive Line Needs to Put More Pressure on the Quarterback

The Hurricanes defensive line has really played well the last two games against South Florida and Florida State.

Although they didn't have great stats they were able to push the offensive line backwards for once.

Eagles quarterback Chase Rettig isn't a proficient passer having only completed 52 percent of his passes, 105th ranked in the country.

If the Hurricanes defensive line can get pressure on Rettig they can force errant throws which will hopefully create turnovers for the Hurricanes.

Stopping the run is a must for the Hurricanes to win and that means the defensive line will need to plug the holes set by the Eagles offensive line.

If they can do that, there should be no way the Hurricanes lose this game.

Lamar Miller Needs to End His Season/Career on a High Note

Lamar Miller is going into the game against the Eagles with 1,158 yards and eight touchdowns.  He is 19th in the country averaging 106 yards per game.

Regardless of how great of a season he has had, or could have had with a better offensive line, this may be the last time people see Miller in a Hurricane uniform.

Although Miller is just a sophomore, this is his third year removed from high school, thus eligible for the NFL draft.

He has the talent to take to the next level, but I truly do not know if he will.

Either way, Miller needs to shine on Friday against a suspect Eagles rush defense and I expect Miller to have one of his best games of the year.

Not only for the team, but for his future as many NFL scout will be on hand to watch Miller in the last Hurricane game of the year.

Coaches Need to Utilize Their Playmakers—Again

The Hurricanes had 316 total yards and just six points last week in their victory over the South Florida Bulls.

It was a good thing their defense stepped up as Miami's offense was stuck in a rut.

The biggest issue I had last week was the poor play calls coming from Al Golden and Jedd Fisch.  The same dive plays and short passes were called the entire game, over and over again.

I was sitting on my couch actually predicting the calls that were coming in, it was that bad.

I just don't understand it, Miami has great playmakers on the team and has nothing to lose, why not throw the ball deep to Tommy Streeter?

Why not throw some Wildcat formations in?  Try a reverse pass, or a couple flea-flickers.

In other words, coaches, try something different!

Almost every trick play the Hurricanes ran this year worked to perfection.

Since this is the last game of the year, the Hurricane coaches need to just let loose and stop playing so tight.

The Wide Receivers Need to Play Better Than Last Week

As the offensive line has been one of the biggest disappointments of the year, the wide receivers have been the most surprising unit of the year.

The three-headed monster of Tommy Streeter, Travis Benjamin and Allen Hurns have accumulated for 1,671 yards and 15 touchdowns.

What is most surprising is the play of Streeter and Hurns who came into the season with six catches for 156 yards and a touchdown, combined.

All three have had a pretty good season with the exception to last weekend.

With the constant pressure Jacory Harris was under the wide receivers rarely got to their routes quick enough and when they actually did, they dropped too many passes.

I am not talking about dropping questionable passes, I am talking about dropping passes that hit them in their numbers.

Boston College's 81st ranked passing defense will allow the Hurricanes to throw the ball.

The receivers and tight ends just need to catch them and Miami should be able to win.

Offensive Line Needs to Play Much Better

The biggest disappointment of the season, besides the suspensions, has been the play of the offensive line.

Not just a couple of them, all of them.

Seantrel Henderson was even voted as a Playboy All-American while Brandon Washington was projected to be a possible first-round draft pick earlier in the season.

Neither have played to their potential.

Luckily for Miami, Henderson has to come back as he is only two years removed from high school (must be three to qualify for NFL draft).  I am uncertain what Washington will do, but I am pretty confident he stays for his senior year.

Whoever it has been on the line, they have been unable to create holes for the Hurricane running backs and lately Jacory Harris has been getting beat up due to lack of pass blocking.

Stop the Rushing Game of the Eagles

Boston College came into the season with one of the best running backs in the country in Montel Harris.  Harris had an unbelievable first three years at Boston College and was tagged as the preseason ACC Player of the Year.

Already sitting the first three games of the year due to surgery to his left knee, he came back to play sparingly against Massachusetts.

Harris played well against Wake Forest but re-injured his knee and was deemed out for the season.

With the injury to Harris, Boston College has been forced to rely on two sophomore running backs, Rolandan Finch and Andrew Williams.

They have combined for 1,074 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Hurricanes defensive line, which has drastically improved the last couple weeks, will need to control the Eagles offensive line and stop the running game.

If Boston College has to rely on their passing game, Miami should be able to easily win this game.