Heading into Week 6, the Miami Hurricanes football team is flying higher than they have in recent years.
After escaping a nail-biter against the Virginia Tech Hokies with a victory, the Hurricanes sit at the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 5-0 record and a 1-0 conference record. They have been playing great offense with superstar Cam Ward at the helm and have a stout defense that has shut down most opponents.
However, a true test awaits them on the West Coast.
The University of California is one of the best stories in college football to start the 2024 season. They sit at 3-1 on the season, defeating a quality opponent in Auburn and barely losing in a hostile Florida State environment. Now, they welcome Miami for what will be the biggest game of their season to this point and will have the immediate mental advantage; the game is scheduled for a 10:30 P.M EST/7:30 P.M PST start.
How will the Hurricanes fair on Saturday Night? Can they pull out the victory?
College Gameday’s chosen game is set to be a great one, and follow along to learn all you need to know for this week’s matchup between Miami and Cal.
Miami vs. California: Football Matchup History
In the long and storied history of both football programs, their series between each other is a dead heat.
Miami and California are tied 2-2 against each other in four total games. The last game was played all the way back in 2008, where California beat Miami 24-17 in the Emerald Bowl. Before that, Miami beat Cal 52-24 in 1990(!). To put it in perspective, I was 11 years from being born when that game was played, and current Miami head coach Mario Cristobal was an offensive lineman for the 1990 team.
The teams will start a new set of football matchups in 2024, as Cal has joined Miami in the ACC for the foreseeable future.
Important Quotes
Quarterback Cam Ward called Cal a “sound defense” and said the Canes must execute to win on Saturday night. He also spoke about overcoming adversity against Virginia Tech and translating it across the rest of the season.
“It showed that we can handle adversity, no matter if it’s the offense, defense, or special teams. We can weather the storm, and as long as we play team football for four quarters, we can overcome our bad plays.”
Asked about his celebration, Ward said it “feels good” that it has spread to younger players and said that his opponents “must like it” when asked about them doing it against his team.
Linebacker Francisco Mauigoa spoke about the defense fixing their struggles ahead of the matchup with Cal.
“We have been emphasizing tackling. Before individuals and gathering as a group, we work on those fundamentals and techniques. We work to ensure that we are putting ourselves in the right position to make tackles and not make the same mistakes as last week. Everybody has been locked in and focusing on that main aspect of the game.”
Key Players for Miami
Cam Ward, Quarterback
Shocker, right? For Miami to win this game, Cam Ward must continue his Heisman-worthy level of play. California brings the 23rd-ranked defense in terms of overall yards and the 12th-ranked defense in terms of points, only letting up 287.5 yards and 12.8 points on average. They have not let up more than 200 yards passing to any quarterback since their Week 1 matchup against UC Davis.
Wideouts Xavier Restrepo and Isaiah Horton will be counted on heavily, as will tight end Elijah Arroyo. However, Ward must be able to create, avoid turnovers, and be consistent for the Canes in this one.
Francis Mauigoa, Offensive Tackle
For Ward to thrive against the Golden Bears, he will need time to throw down the field. This is where the stalwart play of Francis Mauigoa comes into play. The brother of teammate Francisco Mauigoa, Francis has been Miami’s best pass protector through five games. He has only allowed three total pressures and won his matchups consistently against a tough Virginia Tech defensive line.
With double-digit pressure creators in Xavier Carlton and Ryan McCulloch on the other side, Mauigoa needs to continue his high level of play.
Wesley Bissainthe, Linebacker
This honor could just as quickly go to Francisco Mauigoa, one of Wesley Bissainthe‘s running mates at linebacker for the Canes. After a poor tackling performance last week, Miami will face a dual-headed monster in Jaivian Thomas and Jayden Ott.
Bissianthe is second on the Canes in defense stops with seven on the year, right behind Mauigoa. If they want to win on Saturday, they must step up and return to their previous level of play.
Key players for Cal
Jaivian Thomas and Jaydn Ott, Running Backs
Am I cheating here? Yes, I absolutely am. However, Jaydn Ott and Jaivian Thomas are included on the list, which is very important. Miami allowed for two players to average above 5.5 yards per carry last week, with VT’s Bhayshul Tuten going for above 150 yards. Combined with the dual-threat prowess of Francisco Mendoza, the Cal rushing attack could allow them to pull off the major upset.
Cade Uluave, Linebacker
To say that Cal is facing their most challenging offense to date would be completely accurate. Miami brings a lethal passing attack, a strong rushing attack, and a skilled offensive line to this football game. How do you counteract that? Through execution and the best players making big plays.
For Cal, that would be Uluave. The linebacker has high grades in coverage, nine pressures as a pass rusher, an interception, and 19 defensive stops. If he continues this level of play against the Canes, the Golden Bears will be in striking distance all night long.
Xavier Carlton, Edge Rusher
To stop the passer, you have to get after the passer. In other words, Cal needs to get after the quarterback to beat the Canes. Xavier Carlton will play a big role if that happens; the edge rusher has 18 pressures and three sacks for Cal so far. Carlton evidently has the talent to be a game wrecker, and how he plays could swing the game in either direction on Saturday.
Miami’s Blueprint for Victory
For “The U” to keep rolling, here is their blueprint for victory.
- Rely on the stars: There will be plenty of opportunities for big plays on both sides of the ball on Saturday night. Whether it’s Ward, Restrepo, or Mauigoa, the Canes should lean on their stars to produce results.
- Eliminate the Turnovers: Against an upstart team like the Golden Bears, sound execution is paramount. Miami got sloppy last week and almost suffered a major upset as a result. The Hurricanes should have more talent in every area than Cal. As long as they play fundamentally correct football and execute to their skill level, they should have no problem beating the Golden Bears.
- Execute better than California: At the end of the day, Miami has to win by simply executing better than Cal in this football game. With the level of talent they have acquired and developed, Miami should be able to play their game all night. They can impose their will and control the game to their liking. If that occurs, there is no doubt the Canes will continue to roll on.
