Times remain up in the air, but the dates are set and ‘The U’ knows how it’ll spend eleven Saturdays and one Thursday this fall as the official 2012 Miami Hurricanes football schedule has been released.
The schedule isn’t as brutal as it’s been the past few years, but it’s no cakewalk, either. Out of conference Miami gets a road trip to Kansas State (September 8th), a home game against Bethune-Cookman (September 15th) and a “neutral” showdown against Notre Dame in Chicago (October 6th).
Sandwiched in-between, a road trip to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech (September 22nd) and an ACC Atlantic foe headed south in NC State (September 29th).
The home schedule will rock for three straight home games starting game seven when North Carolina heads to town (October 13th). Next up, Florida State (October 20th) and then a bye before a Thursday night, nationally televised ESPN showdown against Virginia Tech (November 1st).
Miami closes out the final month of football at Virginia (November 10th), hosting South Florida (November 17th) and at Duke (November 24th).
The whole thing starts where last season ended — a showdown at Boston College (September 1st). UM travels to Chestnut Hill on Labor Day weekend to take on the Eagles. At one point there were rumors of a Monday night showdown, but with the Miami taking on Kansas State the second Saturday of the season, a short week would’ve been a brutal turnaround, so the season starts on a Saturday and with back-to-back road games.
Nothing will be easy about the 2012 schedule, but in the same breath nothing is ridiculously daunting. Miami gets its toughest conference foes at home — North Carolina, Florida State and Virginia Tech — and while Kansas State and Notre Dame are formidable out of conference opponents, they’re not necessarily road trips to Alabama or Oklahoma.
Still, with fifty of eight kids on Miami’s roster being underclassmen, this is going to be a very young team that will be battle-tested early and must hit the ground running.
Three of four road games to start the season doesn’t seem logical, though. Boston College and Kansas State away, home for Bethune-Cookman and then off to Georgia Tech … let’s just say it’s not the Seminoles school of scheduling. FSU opens with four straight home games – Murray State, Savannah State, Wake Forest and Clemson.
The ACC will most-likely again have Florida State and Virginia Tech at the top and Miami will face both, earning a right to settle all scores on the field.
Another exciting season will be in store and with spring football directly around the corner — action kicks off this Saturday — there’s legitimate buzz in the air regarding Al Golden and his 2012 Miami Hurricanes. Stay tuned.
Thank god we finally have a bye week in the end of October instead of the beginning of the season! And no short weeks? Loving this schedule!!
Chicago is NOT a neutral site. It’s almost in ND’s back yard. Consider the travel cost for Canes fans as opposed to the short car ride for ND. A home opener against BC? Not a great way to generate increased fan interest.
… Chicago is far from a neutral site, which is why the word was put in quotations for this article.
As for Boston College, Miami has had tougher openers. At least it’s not Florida State on Labor Day again. BC is beatable and it will most likely be a day game in Chestnut Hill as this isn’t really a prime time match up. Even if it is at night, September in Boston is much better than a road game in late November weather-wise. A good one one to get out of the way early. Plus, kids should be motivated at the rematch after laying an egg in last year’s season finale. Something for Golden and staff to build on there.
Heads up re: Chicago – UM plays ND the same weekend as the Chicago Marathon (Sunday 10/7). Hotels will be at a premium. If you’re travelling, put a room on hold ASAP.
Boston, Kansas City, and Chicago here I go. Booking my flights and travel plans as we speak!!…..
UVA game looks like it could be a trap – November in Virginia against a rising team right after that Notre Lame/UNC/FSU/VT run ends.
I’m liking the chances against FSU and VT, however. All that time at home bodes well for the team.
… being that Virginia has beaten Miami a few times in Hoos Country, hardly a trap game anymore. That’s a straight-up losable game, period. Tough place to play and Mike London is turning that program around.
Now I am excited again! Moved to Maine last year, didn’t get as involved in the season as I should have. I will definitely be at the BC game. Don’t let me down guys.
My trips to Boston and Chicago are all set. Very excited about a great season ahead. i would love to win an ACC Championship but mostly I would like to see improvement in all areas. Being that I live in Charlotte I will be going to Duke and UVA again. Go Canes!!!