The Miami Hurricanes try to continue their run in the College Football Playoff in the quarterfinals against the Ohio State Buckeyes
CBS Sports college football analyst Danny Kanell played for one of the Miami Hurricanes' biggest rivals.
That hasn't prevented him from projecting much success for the Hurricanes during the College Football Playoffs. Kanell, who played at Florida State, recently predicted UM to make the title game. He picked the `Canes to upset the Ohio State Buckeyes Wednesday in the quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
"I think this one might be one of the closest games," Kanell said. "I'm actually gonna go with the Miami Hurricanes pulling off the upset against the Buckeyes."
Kanell then had the No. 3 seed Georgia Bulldogs take care of business against the Ole Miss Rebels in the Sugar Bowl Thursday in New Orleans. That would create a matchup of the Hurricanes and Bulldogs in the semifinals in the Fiesta Bowl in Arizona. It would pit Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck up against his former team. Beck transferred from Georgia after last season.
Kanell picked the Hurricanes to come out victorious.
"Carson Beck going against his old teammates," Kanell said. "The dude is a winner. Now, yes he's had some interceptions but he's really corrected the issue, especially down the stretch for the Hurricanes. We've seen Miami's physicality really come to the forefront. I've got the Miami Hurricanes advancing to the national title and knocking off Carson Beck's old team."
Kanell then had the Hurricanes advancing to face the Oregon Ducks, who he predicted would defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Indiana Hoosiers.
In the end, Kanell said Oregon has one big advantage to propel the Ducks to their first national championship in the Orange Bowl in Miami.
"This game comes down to the wire but ultimately I trust Dante Moore more than I trust Carson Beck," Kanell said. "He has been so good under pressure making big-time throws and I do think Oregon gets back some of their weapons at receiver so they'd be able to get the ball to the outside and put up some points against this Miami Hurricanes defense. I know everyone would want to see a homecoming for Miami and winning it in their own backyard but Oregon spoils that party."
Again, this is the fun part of the CFP. Everyone has an opinion but anything can happen if the Hurricanes pull of the upset against the Buckeyes in the quarterfinals. And you also have to factor in injuries and other uncontrollable factors.
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of MiamiRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com