Miami football result against Central Connecticut State won’t prove anything

The Miami football result against Central Connecticut State on Saturday has to be analyzed in the proper perspective. Central Connecticut State is an FCS team that has won one of its first three games this season. The Blue Devils lost its opener to Southern Connecticut State, defeated Wagner and lost to Southeastern Louisiana.

On Wednesday, Miami head coach Manny Diaz stated that the Hurricanes will be without start left guard Jalen Rivers for the rest of the season. Starting quarterback D’Eriq King is doubtful for the Hurricanes game against Central Connecticut State on Saturday with an injured shoulder. Miami will get a chance to analyze other players.

Second-year freshman Tyler Van Dyke and first-year Jake Garcia will be the primary QBs for the Miami football team against Central Connecticut State. Diaz also told reporters on Wednesday that Van Dyke and Garcia are battling in practice this week for snaps but that both will play against the Blue Devils.

Van Dyke has not completed a pass in three career attempts over the last two seasons and has four carries for 10 yards. True freshman Garcia has not taken a snap in the first three games for Miami this season. Expect almost all of the healthy scholarship players to play against Central Connecticut State.

It will be difficult to learn anything after Saturday with several players gaining the first significant playing time of their careers. Central Connecticut State ranks 81st in FCS averaging 26.1 points per game. The Blue Devils are 82nd in scoring defense allowing 34.33 points per game. Its difficult to gain anything from Saturday’s game.

Central Connecticut State is consistent. The Blue Devils are 81st in FBS in offense averaging 312.7 yards per game. Central Connecticut State is a bit higher at 73rd in total defense allowing 401.3 yards per game. It is always difficult to analyze any performance against an FCS team. It does give young players needed snaps.

Garcia and Van Dyke were both impressive this spring with King rehabbing from a torn ACL. The level of completion this spring was higher than what the Miami football team will face against Central Connecticut State. Facing live snaps will provide the coaching staff their first glimpse against a real opponent.

Facing a lower-level FCS opponent will make it difficult for the Miami coaching staff to gauge how good the younger players on their roster are. True freshman wide receiver Romello Brinson caught the first three passes of his collegiate career for 33 yards against Michigan State. Expect Brinson to receive significant snaps on Saturday.

True freshmen safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams are also likely to play a lot against Central Connecticut State. Easing the young players in against an FCS opponent can help with confidence. It will be difficult to analyze their performances against a lower-level FCS program.

Manny Diaz and his staff don’t have a lot of time to turn the season around. Getting players experience this weekend will hopefully help down the road. Miami has a quick turnaround after Central Connecticut State. The Hurricanes will play Virginia in their ACC opener on September 30.