Josh Pate Warns Top-10 College Football Team of Week 10 Upset
Josh Pate, a prominent college football analyst, raised concerns about the Miami Hurricanes ahead of their Week 10 matchup against the SMU Mustangs. The game is especially pivotal as it marks Miami’s first trip out of Florida this season. Pate believes this road test carries significant upset potential.
Miami at SMU: A Crucial Matchup
Despite being a top-10 playoff contender, Miami faces a tough challenge against SMU. Pate highlighted several factors that could contribute to an upset. These include SMU’s aggressive defense and Miami’s relative inexperience in away games this year.
Key Factors for the Matchup
- First road game for Miami outside Florida.
- Dallas weather conditions differ from Miami’s typical climate.
- SMU coming off a loss but has strong home-field advantage.
- Mustangs ranked top nationally in takeaways.
Pate emphasized the unique circumstances surrounding the game, particularly the conditions in Dallas. Cooler weather and the Mustangs’ energy could lead to an unpredictable outcome. While Miami is favored by double digits, Pate’s insights suggest a tighter game may ensue.
SMU’s Recent Performance
The Mustangs recently suffered a close 13-12 defeat to Wake Forest but still maintain confidence on their home turf. In Pate’s view, this setback could motivate SMU to put forth a strong performance against Miami. His comments underscored the unpredictability of college football, especially during the latter part of the season.
Standout Players to Watch
- Carson Beck (Miami QB): Approaching 10,000 career yards.
- Kevin Jennings (SMU QB): 2,119 passing yards with 17 touchdowns this season.
Pate also expressed concerns about Miami quarterback Carson Beck, pointing out that if the Hurricanes struggle to establish their ground game, upset potential increases significantly. Nevertheless, he still predicts Miami will secure a victory, reinforcing their playoff aspirations.
Coaching Insights
Former Miami offensive coordinator and current SMU coach Rhett Lashlee acknowledged Miami’s strong defensive capabilities, noting that they lead the ACC in points allowed and rank 11th nationally in total defense. This aspect will be crucial as both teams aim to control the game.
The matchup between Miami and SMU will take place on Saturday at noon ET and can be viewed on ESPN. With both teams having significant objectives, this encounter promises to be one of the weekend’s most intriguing clashes in college football.
