Miami fans get another Saturday off in Week 3, but this is the last one of the season. And if you’re looking for a watch list that actually matters to the Hurricanes, there’s plenty to keep an eye on.
The day is packed with a few ACC matchups that could end up touching Miami’s path, plus one game that has the potential to turn into a very public goodbye for Mike Norvell. There’s also the kind of old-school hate watch that practically sells itself.
North Carolina at Clemson at noon on ESPN is a useful one for Miami fans on a couple of levels. UNC has already dealt with the resignations of GM Mike Lombardi and defensive coordinator Steve Belichick, yet still has a real shot to beat a struggling Clemson team and move to 3-0.
Even if the Tar Heels pull it off, the offense still doesn’t look like something that will hold up over time. Miami will see Clemson in two weeks and North Carolina at the end of October, so this is a chance to get a read on both future opponents.
FSU at Alabama at 3:30 p.m. on ABC could be the most satisfying watch of the afternoon for Hurricanes fans. Florida State is an 18.5-point underdog in the second game of the home-and-home, and after pulling the upset in Tallahassee last year, the Seminoles now look primed to get handled.
Alabama winning by at least 20 would not be a shock. FSU is in rebuild mode, the first domino has already fallen, and this could be the last time Miami fans get to watch Norvell’s tenure wobble before it ends shortly after.
SMU at Louisville, also at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2, is the one with the biggest direct Miami implications. One of these teams could be standing across from the Hurricanes in the ACC Championship Game, so while it’s too early to call this a Charlotte preview, it’s still an important step in that direction.
It should also be a fun game on its own. Both teams are flawed, but entertaining, and the same goes for quarterbacks Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz and SMU’s Kevin Jennings.
Then there’s LSU at Ole Miss at 7:30 p.m. on ABC. It doesn’t carry ACC weight, but it does carry playoff weight, since the winner of the Magnolia Bowl could get an early edge in the 12-team field and become a possible Miami opponent down the line. And even if that never comes into play, Lane Kiffin walking into Oxford is reason enough to tune in.
In Other News...
Ex-Miami Receivers Arrest Puts The Program In A Brutal Spotlight
A former Miami wide receiver is back in the news for all the wrong reasons, and the case has already thrown a harsh spotlight on a program that has spent years trying to move forward from off-field distractions. Mark Pope was arrested in Miami-Dade County on felony charges that include armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated battery, a startling development for a player once part of the Hurricanes receiver room.
Police say the incident began during a dispute at a local park, where Pope allegedly pistol-whipped a woman and took her cellphone by force. He was booked into a correctional facility and held without bond, and a court order would require a GPS ankle monitor if he is ever released, leaving the legal process to unfold while Miami is left watching another former player face a serious and troubling situation. [Read more 🡒]
Former Miami Playmaker Is At Center Of A Disturbing Arrest Case
A former Miami Hurricanes playmaker is back in the news for all the wrong reasons. Mark Pope was arrested in Miami-Dade County on felony charges that include armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated battery, turning what began as a dispute with an acquaintance into a serious legal case that has quickly drawn attention around the programs fan base.
Police allege Pope pulled a handgun, pistol-whipped the woman and took her cell phone before being booked into a correctional facility. He is being held without bond, and if he is released, a court order requires him to wear a GPS ankle monitor, leaving the next steps in the case to play out in court. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Offense Looks Ready But One Wake Forest Test Still Matters
No. 5 Miami heads to Wake Forest on Friday night with some early momentum and a chance to keep its unbeaten start intact in ACC play. The Hurricanes have handled Stanford and Florida A&M to open 2-0, and the matchup brings an interesting early-season contrast because Wake Forest is also unbeaten after wins over Akron and Purdue.
The offense has looked capable enough to travel, but this is still the sort of road test that can reveal more than a couple of lopsided September results. Predictions around the game lean toward Miami, with attention on key player performances and how the Hurricanes handle a defense that should be more demanding than the first two opponents. [Read more 🡒]