After a few years of individuals questioning when Miami would develop into “The U” once more, it is time to acknowledge the Hurricanes is perhaps destined to reclaim their throne close to the highest of school soccer.
On Saturday, Miami managed to go from being on upset alert to profitable massive, one thing that has develop into a theme of its 2024 season.
Trailing 21-17 at halftime, Cam Ward rallied the Hurricanes to a 53-31 win over Duke. The victory retains Miami as certainly one of school soccer’s few unbeaten groups at 9-0. Miami additionally now sits in a really comfy place in the case of the ACC standings due to each Clemson and Pittsburgh shedding later within the day.
Ward tossed 5 touchdowns and threw for precisely 400 yards whereas finishing 25 of 41 passes. Due to Ward’s massive second half, Miami was in a position to keep the course and add Duke to its checklist of comeback or shut wins, an inventory that additionally consists of Virginia Tech, California and the identical Louisville staff that knocked off Clemson.
Despite the fact that strength of schedule matters and must be utilized when rating or evaluating groups, profitable video games can trump all else on this new 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff format. Successful can get you to your convention title recreation, after which profitable that mechanically will get you into the playoff.
And barring a devastating collapse, it is beginning to really feel like Miami is at the least assured a shot at enjoying for its first ACC crown at minimal.
Whereas some will argue the Hurricanes aren’t nearly as good as their file reveals, there are additionally loads of groups, some which might be ranked by the Related Press, with a good simpler schedule, at the least in line with ESPN’s FPI (Soccer Energy Index) metric.
However regardless the place the Hurricanes are ranked — they entered Week 10 at No. 5 within the AP ballot — solely Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Syracuse stand of their means of finishing an unblemished common season. An undefeated season would then ship Miami to the ACC Championship Sport.
Outdoors of Ward, the 2024 Hurricanes is probably not as riddled with All-People as previous nice Miami groups, however so long as they’ll preserve profitable, that does not actually matter.
Taking this present success all the way in which to this system’s sixth nationwide title should appear unrealistic, however head coach Mario Cristobal, who is aware of about profitable at a excessive stage from being a part of two nationwide championship groups throughout his enjoying days at Miami, seems to have the Hurricanes again as a nationally related program once more.
It is also vital to acknowledge that Miami has not appeared in a significant bowl recreation for the reason that 2017 Orange Bowl, a recreation it misplaced to Wisconsin, Miami has not gained a convention title of any sort since its last Large East trophy in 2003 and the Hurricanes haven’t performed for a nationwide championship since falling by the hands of Ohio State in a basic matchup to shut the 2002 season.
In order Miami now controls its personal future, it is staring to really feel like it’s destined to make 2024 a particular season and one remembered as what triggered the return of “The U” to varsity soccer.
