BREAKING: Miami Hurricanes Biggest opportunity in-state rival SEC team.

The Miami Hurricanes have a chance to kick off the 2024 season with a significant away win against an in-state SEC rival. For Coach Cristobal, this matchup represents an ideal early-season challenge for what promises to be his most talented team since he took over in Coral Gables three years ago.

This is arguably Miami’s most important season opener since their 2001 trip to Happy Valley to face Penn State. In 2000, the Hurricanes were coming off an impressive 11-win season, narrowly missing out on a chance to play for the national championship at home against the undefeated Oklahoma Sooners due to the BCS system.

The 2001 Hurricanes had much to prove. Could Johnathan Vilma and DJ Williams fill the void left by Dan Morgan at linebacker? Could Andre Johnson rise to the occasion at receiver after losing Reggie Wayne and Santana Moss? While we now know the answers to these questions, at the time there was a mix of uncertainty and high expectations following the 2000 team’s performance. I vividly recall being eager to see how they would handle the pressure of performing in front of over 100,000 passionate Penn State fans.

With the influx of talent from the transfer portal, Coach Cristobal’s exceptional recruiting, and the talent drain from programs like Alabama, Michigan, and Washington, the Miami Hurricanes are entering this season with significant expectations. A season-opening road win against the Gators could mark the beginning of a memorable season for Miami, while a loss would be disastrous for the program and disheartening for fans. It is a must-win for Coach Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes.

For fun, and to pass the summer days, let’s look back at Miami’s season openers from last year to 2001, summarizing each game in one sentence:

**2023: vs Miami (OH). Win 38-3.** Ohio’s Miami couldn’t compete with the real Hurricanes.

**2022: vs Bethune-Cookman. Win 70-13.** Bethune-Cookman got crushed but won halftime as usual.

**2021: vs #1 Alabama (Atlanta). Loss 44-13.** The Canes, Manny Diaz, and fans got a harsh reminder of the gap between them and college football’s elite.

**2020: vs UAB. Win 31-14.** New QB D’Eriq King shined in Rhett Lashlee’s spread offense.

**2019: vs #8 Florida (Orlando). Loss 24-20.** Jeff Thomas’s muffed punt return cost the game, (sigh).

**2018: vs #25 LSU (Dallas). Loss 33-17.** Malik Rosier’s performance crashed back to reality.

**2017: vs Bethune-Cookman. Win 41-13.** The Turnover Chain made its debut!

**2016: vs FAMU. Win 70-3.** The hype for RB Lorenzo Lingard began after this game.

**2015: vs Bethune-Cookman. Win 45-0.** A shutout win for Al Golden, though his tenure was nearing its end.

**2014: at Louisville. Loss 31-13.** The final score was prettier than the actual game.

**2013: vs FAU. Win 34-6.** Duke Johnson delivered another stellar performance.

**2012: at Boston College. Win 41-32.** Duke Johnson made a name for himself in his collegiate debut.

With the influx of talent from the transfer portal, Coach Cristobal’s exceptional recruiting, and the talent drain from programs like Alabama, Michigan, and Washington, the Miami Hurricanes are entering this season with significant expectations. A season-opening road win against the Gators could mark the beginning of a memorable season for Miami, while a loss would be disastrous for the program and disheartening for fans. It is a must-win for Coach Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes.

For fun, and to pass the summer days, let’s look back at Miami’s season openers from last year to 2001, summarizing each game in one sentence:

**2023: vs Miami (OH). Win 38-3.** Ohio’s Miami couldn’t compete with the real Hurricanes.

**2022: vs Bethune-Cookman. Win 70-13.** Bethune-Cookman got crushed but won halftime as usual.

**2021: vs #1 Alabama (Atlanta). Loss 44-13.** The Canes, Manny Diaz, and fans got a harsh reminder of the gap between them and college football’s elite.

**2020: vs UAB. Win 31-14.** New QB D’Eriq King shined in Rhett Lashlee’s spread offense.

**2019: vs #8 Florida (Orlando). Loss 24-20.** Jeff Thomas’s muffed punt return cost the game, (sigh).

**2018: vs #25 LSU (Dallas). Loss 33-17.** Malik Rosier’s performance crashed back to reality.

**2017: vs Bethune-Cookman. Win 41-13.** The Turnover Chain made its debut!

**2016: vs FAMU. Win 70-3.** The hype for RB Lorenzo Lingard began after this game.

**2015: vs Bethune-Cookman. Win 45-0.** A shutout win for Al Golden, though his tenure was nearing its end.

**2014: at Louisville. Loss 31-13.** The final score was prettier than the actual game.

**2013: vs FAU. Win 34-6.** Duke Johnson delivered another stellar performance.

**2012: at Boston College. Win 41-32.** Duke Johnson made a name for himself in his collegiate debut.

**2011: at Maryland. Loss 32-24.** Even after looking at the box score, I have no memory of this game.

**2010: vs FAMU. Win 45-0.** The beginning of the end for Randy Shannon.

**2009: at #18 FSU. Win 38-34.** MIAMI IS BACK!

**2008: vs Charleston Southern. Win 52-7.** Charleston Southern has/had a football team?

**2007: vs Marshall. Win 31-3.** QB Kirby Freeman’s stat line: 9-21, 81 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, (deep sigh).

**2006: vs #11 FSU. Loss 13-10.** Miami somehow loses the sequel as well.

**2005: at #14 FSU. Loss 10-7.** Great defense partnered with inept offense, part one.

**2004: vs #4 FSU. Win 16-10 (OT).** Sinorice Moss’ catch-and-run and Chris Rix fumbling the snap in overtime were the most memorable plays from a largely forgettable game that preceded them.

**2003: vs Louisiana Tech. Win 48-9.** I remember Antrel Rolle running by everyone for a punt return TD, loved watching him.

**2002: vs FAMU. Win 63-17.** 199 rushing yards and 2 TDs for Miami’s stud running back Willis McGahee, I mean Jason Geathers.

**2001: at Penn State. Win 33-7.** I love watching the highlights on YouTube, game was over after the first quarter.

There you have it. The Canes are 16-7 in their last 23 season openers, including 2-5 against ranked teams. Not great. That said, I can’t think of a better way to start the 2024 season than with a win in the swamp.