Louisville at Miami Staff Predictions

The AllHurricanes staff provide their insights for Miami’s final home contest

Author:
Brian Smith
Publish date:
Nov 17, 2023 6:00 AM EST

In this story:

The Miami Hurricanes are battling the Louisville Cardinals this Saturday. It’s going to be the final contest inside of Hard Rock Stadium for the 2023 regular season.

If the Canes can pull off the victory it would help solidify a better bowl game and also give the team a chance at an eight-win season. Here’s how each member of the AllHurricanes staff sees this contest unfolding.

Brian Smith, Publisher - Louisville 23 Miami 21

This is the hardest game to project of the year. Injuries to both squads would be why. Two of the three Louisville skill players featured on Tuesday here at AllHurricanes may not be completely healthy per Louisville Report's Matt McGavic, and you can read about those injuries here. That’s a big deal because Jawhar Jordan (RB) and Jamari Thrash (WR) both have a shot to make NFL teams, but running back Isaac Guerendo is a big-time talent as well. Offensively, the Canes need more consistency.

Obviously, Miami is back to Tyler Van Dyke, after Emory Williams succumbed to a left arm injury. How Van Dyke handles the mental aspect of the game, especially with him having thrown 11 interceptions from his last five starts, will be hard to project.

Hopefully getting running back Henry Parrish, Jr. back into the rotation will help the Canes as well. Mario Cristobal mentioned on Monday that Parrish was close to being healthy for the Florida State game. Now the biggest question is with the quarterback situation and Miami’s injuries combined.

How will the offense operate in terms of cohesiveness? I just have no faith in Van Dyke at this point. I doubt many others do as well.

While I expect the offensive line and all the Canes to play hard, I expect a few critical passing plays to be off. Why wouldn’t I? Miami’s offense has to prove to me that it can be consistent.

Louisville is 9-1 for a reason. It rarely beats itself (plus-6 in turnovers) while Miami does just the opposite (minus-5 in turnovers). Louisville wins a close game.

Alex Donno, Writer/Podcaster - Miami 24 - Louisville 21

This is a great matchup. Both of these teams have found success running the football and stopping the run. The Hurricanes and Cardinals each bring a top-10 rushing defense to Hard Rock Stadium. I expect Miami's defensive front to find success and force veteran Louisville quarterback Jack Plummer to beat them. Miami's Kiko Mauigoa is one of the top run-stopping linebackers in the country. This will be an important game for Rueben Bain and Leonard Taylor on the defensive line.

Miami's biggest question is how will the passing offense perform. Tyler Van Dyke is back under center after being benched last week. He will need to take care of the football and make some plays, down the field, against Louisville's banged-up defensive backfield. I expect Miami's offensive line to win most of their trench battles, even against a tough defense.

Louisville has not been a great road team this season and that has a lot to do with why they're favored by just one point. They've never won in South Florida, coming in 0-6-1 all-time. This game will be close, but Miami has the talent to win this one at home and I see the Hurricanes squeaking by with a late field goal from Andy Borregales.

Liam Willerup, Writer - Louisville 28 Miami 17

Likely the last game at Hard Rock for a handful of talented Hurricanes, it's a game I see being spoiled by a Louisville team looking to clinch their spot in the ACC Championship game.

Now with Tyler Van Dyke coming back into the starting lineup, I fear he's reached a point of no return in Coral Gables, confidence-wise. He's been beyond poor during the ACC schedule, and would take a miracle turnaround for him to pull a win off in this game.

In terms of key matchups, look at South Florida native Ashton Gillotte to be a challenge for this Miami offensive line. The junior is at double-digit sacks for the first time in his career and will be motivated to play in front of a hometown crowd.

Miami's best chance is to play mistake-free football, but from what we've seen this season that will be a challenge. At the end of the day, I see the Cardinals coming out with a win and booking their ticket to face the Seminoles in

Corey Carmona, a.k.a. Chalupa Batman, Podcaster - Louisville 23, Miami 17

For me, the focal point of this game lies in the battle between two of the strongest defenses in the ACC, setting the stage for a contest that could be defined in the trenches. The spotlight will be on Louisville, boasting the number 1 ranked defense in the ACC, as they prepare to face the challenge presented by Miami's formidable rushing attack, ranked 3rd in the conference.

A significant factor that could tip the scales in favor of Louisville is the struggling form of Miami quarterback, Tyler Van Dyke. In a game where defenses are expected to dominate, turnovers will most likely decide the outcome.

Louisville's defense, known for its ability to capitalize on opponents' weaknesses, may exploit any shortcomings in Tyler's performance. The outcome could hinge on how well Miami's offense, led by Tyler, can navigate the challenges posed by Louisville's defensive strategies.

Louisville’s stingy defense may prove to be too much for the Canes, While I expect the Miami defense to keep the game close, ultimately the Cardinals will walk away with the first Schnellenberger trophy.

Rowdy Baribeau, Writer - Louisville 30 Miami 20

The Miami Hurricanes might be 6-4, but all four of their losses have been by two scores or less. Miami has rarely let a team run away with the game and blow them out like last year. The Hurricanes have been competitive in all of their games this year. While that has resulted in a handful of heartbreaking losses, the team has shown a lot of resilience since its first loss of the season.

The Canes will absolutely need to bring that resilient nature they have brought all season against the tenth-ranked Louisville Cardinals. The Cards have been one of the top teams in the ACC, and have been on fire since their 38-21 loss against Pittsburgh.

The Hurricanes' defense will likely be tested early in the passing game by Jamari Thrash, one of the ACC's top offensive playmakers. It is no secret that if Tyler Van Dyke struggles, it will severely lower Miami's chances of a win.

Van Dyke is the determining factor in the ballgame, which is a large burden to bare. But, if Van Dyke has a game like he had during the first few games of the year, I believe he gives Miami not only a fighting chance but a real opportunity to upset Louisville.

However, with the hot streak the Cardinals are on and the struggles Miami seemingly cannot get over, I believe Louisville rides its momentum to a victory over the Canes in their last game in Hard Rock Stadium this season.