Miami’s first two games produced little suspense. Friday night should bring a different environment.
No. 5 Miami travels to Winston-Salem for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff against unbeaten Wake Forest on ESPN. Both teams enter 2-0, but they reached that record through very different paths.
Miami overwhelmed Stanford 45-6 and Florida A&M 77-7. Wake Forest beat Akron 38-16 before surviving Purdue 38-36 in double overtime.
The Demon Deacons showed plenty of resilience in West Lafayette.
Quarterback Gio Lopez threw for 225 yards and a touchdown, then rushed for 59 yards and two scores. His late touchdown run and game-winning 2-point conversion finished the comeback. Through two games, Lopez has thrown for 575 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.
Miami’s defense now gets its first real challenge against a quarterback who can threaten multiple levels.
That challenge grows because OJ Frederique Jr., Xavier Lucas and Ja’Boree Antoine will miss the game. Wake Forest can attack that depleted secondary with Carlos Hernandez, who has already delivered big plays in both games.
Miami still owns the clearest advantage up front.
The Hurricanes have controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides through two weeks. Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns against Florida A&M, while freshman Javian Mallory added 142 yards and two scores on only 10 carries. That depth gives Miami options if Wake Forest devotes extra attention to Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney.
Wake Forest’s defense has shown vulnerability against the run and through the air. Purdue moved the ball well before the Demon Deacons made enough late plays to survive. Wake coach Jake Dickert also pointed toward tackling as an area that needs improvement.
That matters against Toney.
Miami can create easy completions for Toney underneath, then force Wake Forest’s defensive backs to tackle in space. Mensah has completed more than 90% of his passes through two games, so Wake Forest cannot count on routine misses to end drives.
The Demon Deacons can create trouble by extending possessions. They convert 46% of third downs and have gone 3-for-3 on fourth down. Lopez’s mobility gives Wake another answer when protection breaks down, and Miami must keep rush lanes disciplined rather than simply chase sacks.
Friday also gives Miami a road setting against a team carrying confidence from a dramatic win.
The Hurricanes possess more depth, more explosive skill talent and a stronger defensive front. Wake Forest counters with an experienced quarterback, a productive receiver and a home crowd under the lights.
Miami should control the matchup if it protects the football and limits Lopez outside the pocket.
The first two weeks showed Miami’s ceiling. Friday should tell more about how the Hurricanes handle resistance.
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