Inside the schedule

Saturday, at Florida, 3:30 p.m., ABC

The buzz: The intrastate rivalry resumes for the first time since 2019, and this game could set the tone for both of these teams. The Swamp will certainly be rocking with roughly 90,000, giving Miami no time to get acclimated. The UM debut for Cam Ward and others will be a high-pressure, high-octane showdown.

Sept. 7, vs. FAMU, 6, ACC Network Extra

The buzz: Another in-state matchup, but this time against a lesser opponent. The Hurricanes begin their home slate with the FCS Rattlers and should pick up a relatively easy win.

Sept. 14, vs. Ball State, 3:30, ACC Network

The buzz: The Hurricanes should pick up another win with a matchup against the Cardinals, who went 4-8 in the MAC last year.

Sept. 21, at USF, TBD, TBD

The buzz: The Bulls have improved under second-year coach Alex Golesh. He has not backed down from the challenge of hosting Miami (and playing Alabama), but the Hurricanes will surely have some traveling support in Tampa.

Sept. 27, vs. Virginia Tech, 7:30, ESPN

The buzz: Miami opens ACC play under the lights at home. The Hurricanes beat the Hokies when they last faced off (2022), but Virginia Tech looks to be much-improved under Brent Pry. Miami will have to get prepared and rested quickly for this short week.

Oct. 5, at Cal, TBD, TBD

The buzz: The Hurricanes travel to the Bay Area to face the Golden Bears for the first time since the 2008 Emerald Bowl. Cal is one of the three new members of the ACC. Running back Jaydn Ott is one of the conference’s new stars, rushing for more than 1,300 yards last year.

Oct. 19, at Louisville, TBD, TBD

The buzz: The Cardinals had a stellar 2023 under coach Jeff Brohm, who was in his first year at his alma mater. Louisville has to replace a lot of talent and has a new quarterback in Tyler Shough (played for UM coach Mario Cristobal at Oregon), but the Cardinals should be one of the tougher games on the schedule.

Oct. 26, vs. FSU, TBD, TBD

The buzz: The longtime rivalry picks back up as the reigning ACC champions come to Miami Gardens. Florida State has beaten Miami three straight times, and Cristobal will try to post his first win against the Seminoles. FSU coach In Tallahassee, Mike Norvell is 3-1 against Miami since taking.

Nov. 2, vs. Duke, TBD, TBD

The buzz: The Blue Devils lost coach Mike Elko to Texas A&M in the offseason. Who replaced him? Former Miami coach Manny Diaz, who makes his return to the conference and could get his revenge over UM, which unceremoniously fired him in favor of Cristobal.

Nov. 9, at Georgia Tech, TBD, TBD

The buzz: The low point of the Hurricanes’ season came against the Yellow Jackets as they failed to run out the clock to secure a sure victory. UM travels to Atlanta to try to avenge that loss.

Nov. 23, vs. Wake Forest, TBD, TBD

The buzz: After another bye week, the Hurricanes play their final home game against Dave Clawson and the Demon Deacons. Miami has not lost to Wake Forest since 1944 and does not appear likely to start doing so now.

Nov. 30, at Syracuse, TBD, TBD

The buzz: The Hurricanes close out the regular season, and there is a chance this game could be crucial for securing a playoff or ACC title game berth. The Hurricanes have not lost to the Orange since 1998.

— Adam Lichtenstein