Photo courtesy of Miami athletics
After winning their lone non-conferences games of the season, Miami and Louisville will square off in prime time for a top-20 match-up on Saturday.
No. 17 Miami started its season off on the right foot by pulling away from UAB for a 31-14 victory in the opener. Quarterback and Houston transfer D’Eriq King accounted for two touchdowns in his debut, but it was Cam’Ron Harris who ignited the ground attack.
Harris rushed for 134 yards for a Miami squad that finished with 337 yards rushing. Brevin Jordan remains one of the nation’s best tight ends for the Hurricanes and caught the team’s lone passing touchdown last week.
Although Greg Rousseau opted out of the season, the Hurricanes are still very good up front defensively. Temple transfer Quincy Roche tallied Miami’s only sack last week against the Blazers.
Louisville quadrupled its win total in year No. 1 under head coach Scott Satterfield. The 18th-ranked Cardinals started the season with a 35-21 win over Western Kentucky.
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Micale Cunningham seemed to show good progress as a passer, throwing for 343 yards in the opener. Cunningham is surrounded by a talented group of skill players.
The junior quarterback can compliment Javian Hawkins and Hassan Hall in the ground game. Out wide, Tutu Atwell, Dez Fitzpatrick and Braden Smith make for a talented trio of receivers. Fitzpatrick and Smith each finished with four catches for 110 yards last week.
Defensively, Louisville lived in the backfield last week. Linebacker Dorian Etheridge tallied 3.5 of the Cardinals’ 10 tackles for loss last week. Monty Montgomery added two sacks and three tackles for loss in the win over the Hilltoppers. Louisville held Western Kentucky to just 248 total yards.
Louisville put up nearly 500 yards in last season’s meeting at Hard Rock Stadium, but three turnovers proved to be killers. Jarren Williams passed for six touchdowns for Manny Diaz’s team as the Hurricanes won easily, 52-27.
Saturday’s contest will be the first between the teams in Louisville since Labor Day 2014. The Cardinals have won the last two meetings at home. The contest begins at 7:30 p.m. ET and will air on ABC.
Prediction: Louisville 30, Miami 27
Other Games Across the State
College Football
South Florida (1-0) at No. 7 Notre Dame (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
The Jeff Scott era in Tampa got off a nice start last week. Notre Dame was a bit sluggish early, but defeated Duke, 27-13. Ian Book may be the best quarterback South Florida sees all year.
Prediction: Notre Dame 31, South Florida 10
No. 14 UCF (0-0) at Georgia Tech (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 19 at 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Georgia Tech opened the win with a statement win over Florida State. The Yellow Jackets head home for the first time for what should be a tougher challenge in UCF. The Knights are 35-4 over the last three seasons and return a deep and talented backfield headlined by quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Prediction: UCF 30, Georgia Tech 20
Florida Atlantic (0-0) at Georgia Southern (1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 19 at 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
After going 9-12 in two seasons as head coach at Florida State, Willie Taggart will make his debut for Florida Atlantic on Saturday. Quarterback Nick Tronti will make his first career start. Georgia Southern struggled last week, but slipped past FCS Campbell, 27-26.
Prediction: Florida Atlantic 24, Georgia Southern 17
NFL
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) at Tennessee Titans (1-0)
Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Jacksonville and Tennessee are coming off thrilling victories in Week 1 and will meet in a battle for first place in the AFC South. Jaguars’ quarterback Garder Minshew misfired on fewer passes last week than Tennessee kicker Stephen Gostowski did field goals. The Titans have won five of the last six in the series.
Prediction: Tennessee 23, Jacksonville 13
Buffalo Bills (1-0) at Miami Dolphins (0-1)
Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Ryan Fitzpatrick will look to bounce back from a 3-interception performance last week for the Miami Dolphins in a loss to the New England Patriots. The Buffalo Bills will eye a second straight 2-0 start. Buffalo has won the last three against the Dolphins.
Prediction: Buffalo 24, Miami 14
Carolina Panthers (0-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-1)
Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
After a rough debut, quarterback Tom Brady will play in front of the Tampa Bay faithful for the first time on Sunday. First-year Carolina head coach Matt Rhule eyes his first career win after a hard-fought loss to the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
Prediction: Tampa Bay 34, Carolina 16
Mike Ferguson is the managing editor for Fifth Quarter. Be sure to follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeWFerguson. Follow all of Mike’s work by liking his Facebook page.
