The Miami Hurricanes welcome the Nebraska Cornhuskers to Sun Life Stadium this weekend for a regionally televised match-up on ABC Sports. On paper it sounds like a meeting between two powers. The Canes and Huskers have met several times with national titles on the line over the years. Not the case this time around.
Instead, a match-up of two programs who have slipped into that middle-of-the-road category over the past decade. Where Miami and Nebraska once mirrored each other as modern-day powers, they again are similar—though for all the wrong reasons.
Both programs have taken a step back since facing off for the 2001 national title; where Miami rolled, 37-14—cruising after taking a 34-0 halftime lead. Coaching firings, hirings and more firings have been the case as both the Canes and the Huskers are trying to become elite once again.
While a win won’t bring any real prominence or prestige to whoever comes out victorious, both programs need the “W” as their rebuilds continue. With Saturday’s showdown on the horizon, some initial thoughts on this latest meeting between Miami and Nebraska.
HOW WE GOT HERE
Miami opened the season by dominating Bethune-Cookman, though a Friday night showdown at Florida Atlantic proved a bit more spirited than some were hoping. The Canes eventually pulled away for the 44-20 win—courtesy of some late-game turnovers—but were in a late third quarter, 20-20 slugfest before doing so.
Nebraska welcomed BYU in their opener, rallied back from a 10-point halftime deficit, led by four in the fourth and then by one before allowing a time-expiring, 42-yard game-winning touchdown pass. A week later the Huskers rolled up South Alabama in expected fashion, 48-9.
CANES / HUSKERS : RECENT HISTORY
Miami and Nebraska went toe-to-toe in Lincoln last fall, with the Huskers emerging victorious, 41-31 in a game where the Canes simply could not stop the ground attack and fumbled the game away late; literally.
Ameer Abdullah rolled for 229 yards on 35 carries and even when Miami knew a run was coming, the Canes’ rushing defense was helpless. Nebraska also got a very serviceable performance out of dual-threat quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr., who was an effective 9-of-13 for 113 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while rushing for 96 yards on 13 carries.
Armstrong found receiver Kenny Bell for a 40-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter, showing that the Huskers could get it done through the air, as well as on the ground. Later in the game, the Canes trailed 24-21 after intercepting Armstrong, but a Duke Johnson fumble in Huskers’ territory was returned for a score.
Miami trailed ten, couldn’t overcome the 14-point swing, got to within seven, soon trailed by 17 and scored late for a more respectable-sounding 10-point loss.
The Canes had 435 yards to the Huskers’ 456, but lost the time of possession battle 32:51 to 26:20, were on the wrong side of a 3-to-2 turnover ratio, 4-of-10 on third downs and penalized nine times for 82 yards.
Brad Kaaya was 28-of-42 for 359 yards on the day and had three touchdowns in a tough road environment, but the then-freshman coughed up two key picks—most-notablty an early-game errant throw on first down from the Nebraska 28-yard line, with the game locked up, 7-7.
Still, the Miami defense and an inability to slow down Abdullah was the ultimate reason for the loss.
KEYS TO VICTORY : MIAMI
Better line play than the Canes have shown all year as the Huskers are traditionally good in the trenches. Miami’s defensive line got zero pressure early against Florida Atlantic last week, while the offensive line struggled as well.
Offensively is seems the Canes have inserted some wrinkles and new philosophies to help make up for the inexperience and depth on the line, but defensively Miami is going to be in big trouble if it can’t contain Armstrong or junior running back Terrell Newby.
Newby was relatively ineffective against BYU—10 carries for 43 yards and a score—but rushed for 198 yards and two scores against South Alabama. He’s a step down from Abdullah, but a solid player that will take it to Miami if the defense isn’t set.
The Canes’ defense is yet to be tested this season and while the Huskers are no offensive juggernaut, there are enough weapons to give an undisciplined, mistake-prone front seven some fits. Miami must tighten things up fundamentally this week or it will be a long day.
Win the time of possession battle, unlike last year. When looking back at losses to Nebraska and Georgia Tech in 2014, the Canes’ defense couldn’t stop the run or get off the field—inevitably limiting the amount of touches Kaaya and the offense had.
Giving up those long, sustained drives killed Miami last year and that has to be a large area of growth this season. It also has to start this weekend as the Canes will gear up for Florida State, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Duke next month.
Hit the ground running and come out firing, unlike the past two weeks. Slow starts against Bethune-Cookman and Florida Atlantic might be excusable as they were essentially pre-season games against lesser foes—which can impact motivation.
Looking across the college football landscape, there were a lot of favored teams that struggled to get their bearings early the past two weeks, before pulling away as talent won out.
This game might not be prime time, but it’s a prime time-like opportunity for Miami. Mid-day game in a newly-renovated stadium and for all intents and purposes, the true home opener (no offense, Bethune-Cookman.) Big name opponent. National television. A shot at revenge regarding a tough road loss last year.
There’s absolutely zero excuse to come out flat this week and should that be the case; head coach Al Golden and his staff have to look within for answers as to why this team isn’t immediately ready to play.
KEYS TO VICTORY : NEBRASKA
Get a two-dimensional performance out of Armstrong, like last year. Dual-threat quarterbacks really only give Miami fits when those guys are solid through the air, as well.
It was the case last year against Nebraska and Georgia Tech and conversely, when the Yellow Jackets can run but fail to throw against the Canes, Miami’s defense gets off the field quickly, the offense scores and UM prevails.
Looking at the Huskers’ losses last year; it was games where Armstrong struggled, or was asked to do too much with his passing attack. Some narrow losses seemed to be a result where Armstrong was simply held to a “pretty good” outing, opposed to good, or next-level.
Contain Armstrong, as it makes the Huskers more one-dimensional and puts the Canes in a position to defend better against the run. Get Armstrong going and Nebraska will again have Miami on its heels, just like last year.
Exploit Miami’s weakness on the offense line; the ultimate no-brainer tip of the week. The Canes lack stability, experience and depth, which should have the Huskers coming at Kaaya early and often. Line play had Miami running early the past two weeks, while drawing up some quirky plays for breathing room-sake.
If the Huskers can start winning early in the trenches, it’s their best chance to thwart drives, force turnovers or to get to Kaaya. Miami hasn’t dealt with that type of adversity yet this season and whichever opponent is the first to do that, will reap some immediate rewards while the Canes are forced to fine-tune and tweak.
The Huskers no longer have Randy Gregory anchoring the defensive line, but Vincent Valentine Jr. and Maliek Collins are both super-capable of causing some disruption.
Dial in on running back Joseph Yearby, who is the Canes’ most-explosive and consistent threat. Yearby has been getting it done on the ground and as a receiver; single-handedly carrying Miami early an often last week.
Taking Yearby out of the mix; it forces the Canes to rely more on a receiving corps that hasn’t had time to gel two games in.
Herb Waters stepped up last week for the injured Braxton Berrios, who will remain sidelined. Rashawn Scott was active against Bethune-Cookman, but wasn’t all that relied upon against Florida Atlantic. Stacy Coley is back from injury, but still hasn’t found his form after last year’s sophomore slump.
Yearby is playing that Johnson-esque type of roll early this year and is the Canes go-to while the rest of the offense gets its bearings. Clamp down on Yearby—or true freshman Mark Walton—and Kaaya will have to get it done through the air, behind a line that hasn’t been stellar in its pass protection.
THE PREDICTION
This one might not have the makings of an “instant classic”, but it looks like a pretty even match-up between both teams.
Miami and Nebraska each have capable quarterbacks they need effective games out of and while the Canes look to have the advantage at running back and receiver, the Huskers have guys that can get the job done—while also getting the nod offensive line-wise.
Defensively, Miami’s secondary will need to keep it’s head on a swivel when Armstrong goes into play-action mode—especially with a front seven that hasn’t been setting the world on fire.
Regarding the Huskers, can their secondary go toe-to-toe with the Canes’ receiving corps and what type of answers does their front seven have for an explosive Miami ground attack?
Pace-wise, it seems like the Canes and Huskers will trade blows early. Both defenses are suspect, though both offenses have the ability to self-implode at times. Wouldn’t be surprised with an early turnover by each side and a close game at the half.
From there, it’s all going to be standard x-factor stuff. Which team minimizes the mistakes? Who has a few big plays in them—offense, defense or special teams? When the game gets to that point where it’s ready for one side to pull ahead, who comes through and does so?
While the level of competition both teams have faced hasn’t been even this year—Nebraska’s toughest foe being BYU and Miami taking on Florida Atlantic)—the Canes still get the slight nod in the rise-to-the-occasion column, based on finding a fifth gear in the win over the Owls.
No, Miami doesn’t deserve a boatload of credit for taking down Florida Atlantic—but to the Canes credit, those smaller Sunshine State teams always treat those match-ups like their national championship. Last Friday was the biggest game in the Owls’ history and when it was time for someone to step up, Miami did.
Home crowd this weekend and over 50,000 expected in attendance. Kaaya, Yearby and Scott, as well as some new offensive wrinkles that weren’t on display the past two weeks Solid veteran secondary. South Florida speed and so many guys with an ability to break something. The intangibles are there. Just a matter of the Canes doing what they’re supposed to do.
Miami pulls ahead in the third, Nebraska hangs tough and in the end the Canes hang on for the home win—with the Huskers tacking on the late score for style points.
Miami 34, Nebraska 30