We lost a game, and didn't blow them out last year at home. We also lost 4 of our 5 best players. Not insane.4.5 points is way too much. 1.5 or 2 I can see, but 4.5 (or more, I'm seeing some places at 5) is insane.
Home field advantage isn't just about having a loud crowd. It's also about the other team not being in their own stadium.Uh yeah, but they have not exactly looked dominating. Their home field advantage is almost non existent. The game we lost was on a miracle play with perhaps our best defender sitting on the bench with a suspension, to a team that is now ranked 18. I don't often bet on us, but will be happy to as a 5 point (or greater) dog.
They've done the same thing as we have, which is nothing. Except people know who Bell, Abdullah, Gregory, and DPE are, and know that we lost them.Of course Miami has more votes in the polls. They don't have any losses and we have one, to a team that's currently ranked. That's how the stupid polls work. There are dozens of examples every year where a lower ranked team is the point spread favorite over the higher ranked team, especially early in the year.
Honestly, what has Miami done that makes you think they're more than a point or two better than us? Looking flat against FAU for 2.5 quarters or blowing out a substandard FCS team?
Look at all the OL they lost last year (2 second team ACC and another starter) and then another OL with a lot of experience was kicked off the team; their RB last year is in the NFL this year and perhaps his best replacement is injured; they lost their top three receivers; and Al Golden is still the coach.
TA doesn't look better this year? Do you really think our WRs, even losing K. Bell look worse this year? At least we dominated the tomato can team we played this week whereas Miami looked pretty flat against FAU for most of the game until they wore them down.
Oh for heavens sakes Moraine, how many of their best players are also gone?? They are not better than BYU.
Wouldn't that make us a 1.5 point favorite at home?Figure home field is 3 points, at home we'd still be underdogs. We just need to handle our business.