Miami Hurricanes Odds - Hurricanes talented but short on experience
The Miami Hurricanes odds are slowly improving in the ACC as head coach Randy Shannon rebuilds the program, but online betting handicappers aren’t sure if they are ready to compete. The Hurricanes will be scrappy but they are still a year or two away from winning the ACC.
Miami Hurricanes odds: Shannon starting to feel the heat
- Cooper and James combine for a very talented backfield
- Offense will only go as far as Jacory Harris can take them
- A brutal schedule could cost Randy Shannon his job
Randy Shannon has done a good job of recruiting, but the problem still remains: the Miami Hurricanes odds of winning haven’t significantly improved since he took over. College football betting handicappers know that the team was young and inexperienced when he took over but they still are the same nowadays.
Last year, the Canes played with a dozen redshirt and true freshmen, and they should be more prepared to compete in the ACC this year. The problem for the Miami Hurricanes odds is that while a lot of players gained some playing time and learned the ropes, it may take another season for the team to find an identity.
The Hurricanes odds on offense will be contingent on some serious growth from quarterback Jacory Harris. He’ll have a lot of help with a very deep backfield that includes Cooper, James and a couple of other impressive kids that won’t see much time. But Harris has to be the big man on campus if the Hurricanes are to compete. Last year, the sportsbook odds makers kept the Hurricanes over/unders low because they knew that the team struggled to score – and win – despite their raw quarterbacks. Now the Canes have to rely on their quarterbacks to get better. Harris only started two games last year but Robert Marve is no longer on the team and Harris has the job to himself. There’s no question that he has the physical skills – the Hurricanes betting community constantly raves about his arm strength and mobility – but he needs to be a leader and help establish the team identity.
The Miami Hurricanes odds of winning the ACC will also be linked to the team’s performance on defense. The Canes defense is starting to look like the unit of old, though, as there is plenty of speed. Linebacker Sean Spence is a stud at linebacker, and the secondary, which added Sam Shields (from offense) and Randy Phillips (injury), should be much stronger.
The Canes have a tough schedule, which will likely keep them out of the ACC Championship Game once again; their first four games in particular look lethal. They start at Florida State, then come home to host Georgia Tech, then go to Virginia Tech and finally come home to Oklahoma. If the Hurricanes are 0-4 or 1-3, that could spell the end of Coach Shannon. If you are some kind of optimist that believes they can make it through the fire, the bet the Miami Hurricanes odds now because there is plenty of value.
For more analysis on sports betting lines and matchups, check out the BetOnline.com Betting Edge regularly throughout the season.
Blake walked onto his college football team and had a brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game that only someone who has played would understand. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
