Miami appears destined to mark 2024 season as true return of ‘The U’

After a few years of individuals questioning when Miami would change into “The U” once more, it is time to acknowledge the Hurricanes is perhaps destined to reclaim their throne close to the highest of school soccer. 

On Saturday, Miami managed to go from being on upset alert to successful large, one thing that has change into a theme of its 2024 season. 

Trailing 21-17 at halftime, Cam Ward rallied the Hurricanes to a 53-31 win over Duke. The victory retains Miami as certainly one of faculty soccer’s few unbeaten groups at 9-0. Miami additionally now sits in a really comfy place relating to the ACC standings because of each Clemson and Pittsburgh shedding later within the day. 

Ward tossed 5 touchdowns and threw for precisely 400 yards whereas finishing 25 of 41 passes. Due to Ward’s large second half, Miami was capable of keep the course and add Duke to its checklist of comeback or shut wins, an inventory that additionally contains Virginia Tech, California and the identical Louisville group that knocked off Clemson. 

Regardless that power of schedule issues and must be utilized when rating or evaluating groups, successful video games can trump all else on this new 12-team School Soccer Playoff format. Successful can get you to your convention title recreation, after which successful that mechanically will get you into the playoff.  

And barring a devastating collapse, it is beginning to really feel like Miami is not less than assured a shot at enjoying for its first ACC crown at minimal.  

Whereas some will argue the Hurricanes aren’t pretty much as good as their document reveals, there are additionally loads of groups, some which might be ranked by the Related Press, with an excellent simpler schedule, not less than in keeping with ESPN’s FPI (Soccer Energy Index) metric.

However regardless the place the Hurricanes are ranked — they entered Week 10 at No. 5 within the AP ballot — solely Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and Syracuse stand of their manner of finishing an unblemished common season. An undefeated season would then ship Miami to the ACC Championship Sport. 

Exterior of Ward, the 2024 Hurricanes is probably not as riddled with All-People as previous nice Miami groups, however so long as they will maintain successful, that does not actually matter. 

Taking this present success all the way in which to this system’s sixth nationwide title should appear unrealistic, however head coach Mario Cristobal, who is aware of about successful at a excessive degree from being a part of two nationwide championship groups throughout his enjoying days at Miami, seems to have the Hurricanes again as a nationally related program once more. 

It is also necessary to acknowledge that Miami has not appeared in a serious bowl recreation for the reason that 2017 Orange Bowl, a recreation it misplaced to Wisconsin, Miami has not received a convention title of any form since its last Large East trophy in 2003 and the Hurricanes haven’t performed for a nationwide championship since falling by the hands of Ohio State in a basic matchup to shut the 2002 season. 

In order Miami now controls its personal future, it is staring to really feel like it’s destined to make 2024 a particular season and one remembered as what triggered the return of “The U” to varsity soccer.