Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs. Miami Hurricanes Preview
Where: Hard Rock Stadium – Miami, FL
When: Saturday, September 2, 2017 – 12:30 PM ET
Line: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at Miami Hurricanes – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
TV Broadcast: ACC Network
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Betting on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Once regarded as a force in the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference, the Wildcats got bit by the injury bug for much of the 2016 season, causing them to finish with a lowly 4-6 record.
One good takeaway from the forgettable season, however, was their play towards the second half of the year, as they were able to win four of their last five, which includes their 20-point trashing of conference rival, Norfolk State, at the annual Florida Classic.
Veteran head coach Terry Sims is back for his third year with the team, and he is currently in a dilemma at the quarterback position. The slot is still being battled by three men: Akevious Williams, Larry Brihm, and transferee Collyn Anderson.
Whoever wins the starting job will have a couple of nice weapons – receiver Frank Brown, who had seven touchdowns and gained 15.3 yards per catch this past year, will partner with Keavon Mitchell, another wideout with good potential. The backfield will also have a pair of key players – Cameron Rigby and Jamaruz Thompkins both netted 5.2 yards per carry and also combined for nine rushing scores in 2016.
Defensively, BCU could look to be extra motivated, as they are now getting a lot of guys back. They survived 2016 fairly well despite the long list of injuries, particularly in stopping the run.
Betting on the Miami Hurricanes
Second-year coach Mark Richt has plenty of tools on both sides of the field that can help bring back the U’s glory days. However, the one concern he and his staff have coming in is as vital as it can. It’s a problem that can bring everything down if left unsolved.
That issue, of course, is the quarterback position. Their would-be senior under center, Brad Kaaya, left early, making their off-season pretty much all about the quest to replace the departed play-caller.
Junior QB Malik Rossier eventually got the gig, and is expected to start against BCU, beating out gunslinger Evan Shireffs and heralded recruit N’Kosi Perry.
Rossier is being handed out a good amount of pressure, because this is a program hungry for a return to its powerhouse form, and, he is, as said, getting gifted with talent to succeed. Along with an exciting receiving corps, as led by sensational sophomore Ahmmon Richards, who paced all freshmen in receiving yards last season (934), the QB will also get help from Mark Walton in the backfield. As one of the best running backs in the conference, Walton is fresh off a 1,117-yard, 14-touchdown campaign.
The defense will look to progress once again. They are returning from a big year, where they SIGNIFICANTLY rose in various stat rankings, including points (77th to 12th) and tackles for loss (106th to fifth).
Talent is spread around the defensive unit, but there’s no arguing that their line is the best in the group. Ends Chad Thomas and Joe Jackson, and tackles Kendrick Norton and RJ McIntosh punished offenses for 17 sacks and 41 tackles for loss in 2016.
Writer’s Prediction
Miami should be able to get this one, 28-13.
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