Miami Hurricanes Week 14 Preview – Syracuse Orange

Miami, Florida – The season finale for the Miami Hurricanes has arrived as they visit the Syracuse Orange for a shot at the ACC Championship. A win here and the Cardiac Canes take on conference newcomer SMU at Charlotte, North Carolina. A loss and they will be watching Clemson play the Mustangs with their fate in the hands of the CFP committee. Given the collapse of highly ranked SEC teams last weekend, there is a prospect of up to three ACC programs playing in the postseason but UM prefers to be in the driver’s seat.

Conference of Quarterbacks on full display 🦾

Two of the top QBs in the nation will face-off to close out the regular season. pic.twitter.com/DKxWunBL6u

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) November 27, 2024

The final game of the regular season will be a battle between two of the conference’s best offenses. The opposing QBs, among the nation’s best, will go head-to-head in what is likely to be a shootout. The Orange have won their last two games the latest being a 31-24 victory over UConn.  The Hurricanes are seen as the heavy favorites but no one is taking this game for granted given the stakes. Although the opposing sides have high-octane offenses, their defense is less than ideal. Miami struggles against the pass while ‘Cuse can’t stop the run. Buckle up in this so-called ACC semi-final matchup.

Syracuse

Kyle McCord

"I think the biggest thing that Coach Fran has been saying, and it's kinda been the same every single week, is that it's about us."

Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord (@kylemccord16) joined #The315 w/ @BrianHiggins315, and discussed how Fran Brown is keeping Syracuse focused on… pic.twitter.com/cEniPc6MTr

— Cuse Sports Talk (@CuseSportsTalk_) November 27, 2024

This senior is a potential headache for the Hurricanes. Kyle McCord has thrown for 3,946 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. McCord completed 37 of 47 passes for 470 yards including two TDs versus the Huskies running a third in himself. Miami will have to shut down the starter like they did Wake Forest to gain the edge. He’s been sacked 22 times and has turned the ball over quite a lot so this serves as a starting point to keep down ‘Cuse.

LeQuint Allen

Jim Brown… Ernie Davis… Floyd Little… Larry Csonka… Sean Tucker… LeQuint Allen🍊💪 pic.twitter.com/RJsOz4XmIq

— Da Bigggest Chopp Up (@Bigggestchoppup) October 12, 2024

Sticking to the offense, LeQuint Allen is the top running back for the Orange. Tallying 189 carries for 819 yards and 12 TDs, Allen had an okay outing against the Huskies rushing for 58 yards and a touchdown. The interesting stat here is he only averaged 2.8 yards a carry. Syracuse fed him the ball 20 times which leads me to believe the Canes can turn that offense into a one-dimensional threat. LeQuint hit the centennial mark twice this season at Cal and versus Virginia Tech.

Oronde Gadsden II

🎥 Win No. 8 pic.twitter.com/xkwx4FQvtV

— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) November 23, 2024

Does the name look familiar? This is the son of former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Oronde Gadsden. The South Florida legacy player has been with ‘Cuse for the past four seasons and he leads the program in receiving yards as a tight end. Gadsden crossed the 100+ yard mark five times for 2024 and has done so in the last three games. Oronde caught 11 passes for 103 yards including a TD thoroughly burning the Huskies.

Miami

Cam Ward

Week 14 Captains 🫡#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/J0lIGg16V2

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) November 28, 2024

The fate of the Miami Hurricanes postseason rests in the hands of Cam Ward. The Heisman hopeful was snubbed from the Maxwell Award earlier this week leading to outrage from the fanbase especially since Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel was selected over him. Ward holds the Hurricanes’ single-season record for touchdown passes, passing yards, and completions. The UM signal-caller likely has a chip on his shoulder and will show why he’s among the best in the country.

Isaiah Horton

Only Top 10 Graded WR Duo in the Country?

Xavier Restrepo & Isaiah Horton🙌@CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/kKjhhmqDTz

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 26, 2024

It’s all hands on deck for the wideouts and Isaiah Horton will get plenty of looks. The sophomore has 54 receptions for 603 yards including five TDs for 2024 and his contributions will help Miami fight for their 11th win of the season. Horton has done well in his sophomore year cementing himself as a reliable wide receiver for 2025 and beyond presuming he doesn’t hit the transfer portal. Expect him to get at least one touchdown in the contest.

Damien Martinez

DAMIEN MARTINEZ REFUSED TO GO DOWN 😤 pic.twitter.com/modTDodFg4

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 19, 2024

The Syracuse Orange have given up the third most yards on the ground within the ACC meaning The U needs to run the ball often. Giving up around 153.6 yards a game, this presents Damien Martinez and company the chance to dominate the time of possession, tire out the opposing defense, and keep his teammates fresh to battle McCord. Recording 135 carries for 739 yards and eight touchdowns I don’t think he is the best running back in the group, however, I do believe Martinez has been a reliable rock carrier all season and he’ll show it again at ‘Cuse.

Prediction

"This (Xavier) Restrepo kid… talk about a guy that comes up big every time he's asked to. I'm gonna take Miami to get to the ACC Championship Game."

🗣️ @CoachNeuheisel and the whole ICF crew are rolling with @CanesFootball over Kyle McCord and Syracuse pic.twitter.com/EmMtW4AGRj

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) November 27, 2024

Unlike the Miami Dolphins, the Canes don’t have to worry about the elements since Syracuse plays in a dome. Unfortunately for UM fans, this is going to be a high-scoring fight. With that said, I believe Ward will carry the team to victory with some stops by the defense. Final score: 37-27.