Still alive and well in the College Football Playoff rankings, the Miami Hurricanes look to avenge their only loss of the season against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday. Two weeks removed from the upset at Georgia Tech, the Canes are coming off their bye week and look to get back on track in time for the ACC title game.
This will be their final home game at Hard Rock Stadium and Miami’s Senior Day, at that. Securing a win is crucial, not only to remain in contention for the ACC Championship, but to build up momentum for the regular-season finale, next weekend, against the Syracuse Orange (7-3).
Using the bye week to their advantage, the Hurricanes (9-1) will look to strengthen their much-maligned defense against the Demon Deacons (4-6). Recent defensive lapses, against the Yellow Jackets as well as the Duke Blue Devils, have given the Hurricanes plenty of tape to analyze on defense. And perhaps in an effort to avoid late-game comebacks, the Hurricanes will look to prioritize scoring as much as possible, as early as possible.
Star quarterback Cam Ward, a contender for this year’s Heisman Trophy, understands the importance of locking in a lead and keeping it. While the team has been well known this year for their impressive comebacks, the need for perfection in their upcoming games makes no room for error.
“We’re going to try to play our brand of football, be physical. We’ve got to execute plays, first through fourth down, if we need all four,” Ward told reporters at his Wednesday press conference in Coral Gables. “We’ve got to continue getting first downs on the offense. [When] you do first downs, all that stuff adds up. Get you some touchdowns, put ourselves in a position to win.”
Miami will enter this game as a 24-point favorite against Wake Forest, a program currently tied for 12th place in the 17-team ACC. Expect Miami to play for some style points as well, not only to prepare for an ACC title game appearance, but a CFP berth, as well. This week, they landed at No. 8 in the 12-team CFP rankings.
The ACC Championship, which Miami has never won, would be the first goal to achieve, however. It will take place on Dec. 7 in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Miami’s likely to face either SMU (9-1), or Clemson (8-2) in that game.
Just getting to that contest has been a challenge for Miami, though. The Hurricanes have only participated in the ACC Championship game once, back in 2017, losing to the Tigers, 32-3.
Going forward, though, tunnel vision is the main priority for the Hurricanes. Their one loss of the season — and the noise surrounding it in the media — must not distract the team from potential victories ahead. Emphasized by coach Mario Cristobal in his Monday press conference, keeping eyes on the task ahead could be what cements a historic season for Miami.
“There’s too much going on in the outside world, there’s too much clutter, there’s too much coverage, hype, and noise to really do anything else,” he said. “Make sure your guys are focused on the task at hand. Without a doubt, it’s been emphasized, and we’re going to continue along the lines of that.”
Putting the seriousness of the game aside, Cristobal confirmed that 27 seniors will be honored under the stadium lights on Senior Day. A beloved tradition, teammates and family members will have the opportunity to highlight athletes experiencing their last year playing at Hard Rock Stadium.
Keeping confidence in their strengths and implementing their plan for early victory could secure a historic achievement for Miami. Taking it one week at a time, college football fans wait to see what Miami can do and whether or not the work put in this season will assist in victory when it counts the most.
