The Miami Hurricanes look to dominate the final non-conference test while navigating key backfield injuries and integrating explosive depth playmakers.
MIAMI, Fla. – The first weekend game is set at Hard Rock Stadium, as the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes prepare to face the Central Michigan Chippewas, ahead of the Atlantic Coast Conference portion of the schedule and a primetime matchup against No. 3 Notre Dame at South Bend, Indiana.
How to Watch and Time
Television Channel: CW Sports
Kickoff Time: 6:30 p.m. E.T.
Betting Odds (FanDuel Sportsbook)
The Hurricanes are -41.5 favorites and the over/under is at 53.5.
Injury Report
There is no official injury report because this is a non-conference matchup, but here are several Hurricanes players to keep in mind ahead of kickoff.
Mark Fletcher Jr. (Upper-body): The backfield star didn’t play much in the fourth quarter last Friday against Wake Forest. In the Hurricanes’ Week 4 Captains announcement, Fletcher Jr. was not mentioned. It’s reasonable to suspect that he could be sidelined against Central Michigan.
If so, it’s a precaution rather than a concern.
Malachi Toney (Upper-body): Like Fletcher Jr., the star wide receiver was limited against Wake Forest. Toney will likely play, as he was named captain ahead of Saturday’s matchup. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if the 19-year-old was placed on a snap count.
Precautionary and no concerns.
Ahamd Moten Sr. (Upper-body): The star defensive tackle left the Wake Forest game for a moment with a left shoulder injury, but returned and played through it.
It was announced earlier this week that redshirt junior running back CharMar “Marty” Brown (right knee) and Joshua Moore (right shoulder) will miss the rest of the season. Both offensive playmakers were injured against Wake Forest. They join sophomore tight end Luka Gilbert (undisclosed) in being sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Cornerbacks Ja’Boree Antoine (undisclosed), Romanas “OJ” Frederique Jr. (left shoulder), and Xavier Lucas (undisclosed) are sidelined, but should return at different points of the regular season.
Game Notes
This is a game not only the Hurricanes should put away, similarly against Florida A&M, but also look to rely on others deep within the depth chart. Redshirt senior wide receiver Cooper Barkate has yet to be fully unleashed. Last season at Duke, he was one of two ACC playmakers to record over 1,1000 receiving yards, alongside Toney.
It’s important for the Hurricanes to get Barkate more involved to further spread the workload.
The run game will likely feature a familiar face in Jordan Lyle. As Brown will no longer be available, it’s important to get him going ahead of ACC play.
Rotating and utilizing depth at multiple positions and on both sides of the field should be a significant factor in the Hurricanes’ path to a win.
Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
