Although it was a home game for Miami, Wisconsin made it feel quiet at home real quick. After Miami took an 14-3 lead, Wisconsin took control of the game with their passing game.
Wisconsin’s Hornibrook took full advantage of Miami’s young secondary by completing 23 of 34 for 258 yards and 4 touchdowns. He dominated Miami’s defense, even if the referees did not call obvious holding calls.
Wait… a missed holding call favoring a Miami opponent? pic.twitter.com/UIubjPgVEa
— #TurnOverChainOut ✌️ (@TurnoverChain) December 31, 2017
In their city. In their house.
Wisconsin completes the first 13-win season in school history with an Orange Bowl victory over Miami. pic.twitter.com/NSY5qH3Bdt
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2017
But what is next for Miami?
Well the Canes signed 19 of the 20 verbal commits they had on the recruiting trail. This class includes top-notch receivers and defensive backs. The Canes return Malik Rosier, but with an obvious quarterback battle that will take place this spring.
Miami can take what they learned from this 10-win season, and build upon it. The defense Miami has should return most of the core members. Richard McIntosh and Kendrick Norton should return for their senior year just to polish off their resumes for NFL scouts, as well as a chance to win in National Title.
Offensively Miami will go into the off-season looking for better quarterback play. N’kosi Perry is expected to be the first guy to compete with Malik Rosier for QB 1, but incoming Freshman, Jarren Williams, should make the battle for QB 1 more interesting. Malik did well this season, leading the Hurricanes to 10 straight wins, but if Miami wants to compete for National Titles with the big boys of college football like Clemson or Alabama, Miami is going to have to have better quarterback play.
How a week at The Opening helped lead Jarren Williams to Miami. "It's not coincidence." https://t.co/HtIqWHcTma pic.twitter.com/2iYWxVZwwy
— David Wilson (@DBWilson2) December 11, 2017
The cliché, “There’s levels to this”, is true. Clemson was not able to get over the hump with sub-par quarterback play until Deshaun Watson showed up.
Miami is a quarterback and a steady secondary away from competing for a national title.