UM will play football in 2020, with powerhouse Clemson added to schedule. The details:
There will indeed be a college football season for the University of Miami, and 2019 national championship runner-up Clemson will now be a part of it — that is, of course, if the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t decide otherwise.
The Atlantic Coast Conference announced late Wednesday afternoon that it will go to a 10-game conference schedule for each of its members, with one nonconference opponent.
Notre Dame, an independent, will be included as an ACC member this season. But the Irish will not play the Hurricanes in 2020.
Each school’s particular schedule dates have not been released, but here are Miami’s home opponents: Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Pitt and Virginia.
Miami’s road games: Clemson, Louisville, North Carolina State, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.
Blockbuster opponent
Clemson has reached the College Football Playoff the past five seasons, winning national titles against Alabama after the 2016 and 2018 seasons. The Tigers are 6-5 all-time against UM, including a 38-3 victory in the ACC title game the last time they played in 2017 — and a 58-0 victory in 2015 that marked UM’s worst loss ever a day before former coach Al Golden was fired.
The ACC said the game dates will be released “in the future,” but that the opening games will be played the week of Sept. 7-12, with UM hoping to open Saturday, Sept. 12.
Notre Dame, which except for this season belongs to the ACC in every sport except football, will be eligible to compete in the 2020 ACC Football Championship Game (Dec. 12 or 19th). The league title game will feature the top two teams based on highest conference-game winning percentage. There will be only one overall division this season.
All television revenue for the 2020 season, including Notre Dame’s home games broadcast by NBC, will be shared equally by all 15 institutions, the ACC noted.
Whether UM, and the other ACC teams for that matter, can finish the projected season will depend on how well the programs can social distance and steer clear of the coronavirus.
Challenges ahead
UM athletic director Blake James, in a Zoom videoconference, called the 11-game scenario “aspirational’’ in light of the pandemic.
“I think we all recognize it’s probably very aspirational,’’ James said, noting teams will have to be flexible and use bye dates in case games need to be moved around. “In a perfect world it will all play out from Sept. 12. But I think we’re all aware that there’s going to be some challenges, as there have been to get to this point and as there will be to get from here to Sept. 12.”
The Hurricanes, currently participating in daily workouts, for now can begin fall camp Aug. 7, though James said the format is still being worked out to ensure there remains social distancing. The ACC released on Wednesday a lengthy report from the COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group, and players must be tested within 72 hours (“three calendar days”) of the game. Nonconference opponents must also agree to adhere to the ACC “minimum standards” in order to face Miami and other league teams.
“Game discontinuation considerations,’’ according to the report, include “campus-wide or local community transmission rates that are considered unsafe by local public health officials.’’ South Florida, in particular Miami-Dade County, is rampant with COVID-19 cases and among the nation’s worst “hot spots.’’
The Miami Herald previously reported that the Hurricanes football program has had at least three players test positive for the virus.
“We’re not in a position like the NBA to put them in a bubble,’’ James said.
‘College kids’
“They’re college kids. They’re part of a vibrant college campus enjoying a college experience,’’ James said. “With that said, from the very start, we really talked with them about the importance of recognizing the situation and taking the appropriate steps.’’
The Hurricanes will choose as their nonconference opponent one of the three nonconference programs that were set to begin the season at home. UM’s opener was supposed to be Sept. 5 against Temple. It also had games scheduled Sept. 12 at home against Wagner and Sept. 17 at home against UAB.
The other two games will be canceled, and depending on each contract, the Hurricanes could be subject to paying any guaranteed money.
The Michigan State game was already scratched from the schedule after the Big 10 previously announced its own all-league schedule.
Miami’s previous 2020 football schedule was announced Jan. 22 and encompassed an Oct. 3 league opener at home against Pittsburgh, and other ACC games Oct. 9 (Friday) at Wake Forest, Oct. 24 at home against North Carolina, Oct. 31 at Virginia, Nov. 7 at home against Florida State, Nov. 14 at Virginia Tech, Nov. 21 at Georgia Tech and Nov. 28 at home against Duke.
Still uncertainty
Also from James on Wednesday:
▪ UM is working with hard Rock Stadium, the Dolphins and local and state officials to determine stadium fan capacity scenarios and “will notify all season ticket holders of their options as soon as possible.’’ There remains a possibility that no fans will be allowed.
▪ UM, led by coach Manny Diaz, is still deciding whether to have the entire team practice together or split into groups. Various options are being discussed.
▪ “I would love to have [had] the opportunity to play Notre Dame,’’ James said, noting that he figured the Canes would get either Clemson or Notre Dame. “Miami-Notre Dame is great for college football. I know our fans would enjoy it. I know their fans would enjoy it. With that said, it’s a balance of 15 teams. When you look at our schedule I think we have a very challenging schedule. Obviously, when you look at a trip to [Clemson’s] Death Valley on our schedule and all the great teams — Florida State coming in... on down the line our schedule is loaded with teams that are very talented and ready to go.’’
This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 5:21 PM.
