Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Hurricanes need to contain UAB’s Brown in opener
When: Thursday, 8 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium
Latest line: Miami by 14
TV: ACC Network
Radio: 560-AM, 990-AM (Spanish)
Weather: 82 degrees, 9 percent chance of precipitation
Online: sun-sentinel.com/um; @DavidFurones_ on Twitter
Stadium safety protocols: UM is allowing 13,000 fans for the opener. There will be socially distanced seating clusters, mobile touchless entry into the stadium with staggered gate entry times listed on tickets and required mask-wearing for fans and stadium employees while not actively eating or drinking. There will be no tailgating and no alcohol. Students will not be permitted to attend the first two home games.
Quick slant: UAB is no pushover out of Conference USA. The Blazers have won 28 games over the previous three seasons since their return from a program hiatus. The Hurricanes also have lost their last two against C-USA opponents, Louisiana Tech in last season’s Independence Bowl and that dreaded upset at the hands of crosstown foe FIU at Marlins Park last November.
About Miami (0-0): The Hurricanes kick off a new season after an offseason of change that followed a disappointing 6-7 campaign in Manny Diaz’s first as UM head coach. New offensive coordinator
Rhett Lashlee’s offense will debut with Houston grad transfer quarterback D’Eriq King.
About UAB (1-0): The Blazers kicked off their season last Thursday night, winning a surprisingly close matchup with Central Arkansas of the FCS, 45-35. The score may have been misleading in showing what UAB is defensively as the Blazers, who were top 10 defensively the past two seasons, allowed a defensive touchdown, several scores on a short field and late touchdowns against backups.
Three things to watch
1. How will Miami tackle in its first game back after an offseason where teams lost much of the physical components of spring football? This will be especially challenging against UAB and 220-pound senior running back Spencer Brown.
2. Will UM’s new-look offense be in sync right away? It’s one thing to look good in a situational scrimmage simulating UAB, but now Lashlee, King and his offensive weapons have to put it together in a true game setting and show there won’t be any mishaps and miscommunications in this up-tempo attack.
3. The offensive line has to hold up. After a 2019 season where Miami gave up 51 sacks and couldn’t run block effectively, new offensive line coach Garin Justice, Houston transfer tackle Jarrid Williams and a more-experienced unit have high expectations.