Miami head into the final full day before Pittsburgh with six players ruled out and freshman receiver Milan Parris listed as doubtful. Just as importantly, Mark Fletcher Jr. and Bryce Fitzgerald are not on the injury report.
The main news is what is not on the report
For a Friday in late October, this is probably how Mario Cristobal wants it.
No big drama. No fresh bad news. Just a clearer picture of where Miami stand heading into their first game as the No. 1 team in the country.
The ACC availability report shows six Hurricanes still out, while Milan Parris is doubtful. That is worth noting, but the more encouraging part is that Mark Fletcher Jr. and Bryce Fitzgerald are not listed.
That matters. Fletcher is a key part of Miami’s running game, and Fitzgerald has become increasingly important in the secondary. After the Florida State game turned into the sort of night where everyone seemed to be picking up a knock, seeing both of them off the report is a positive heading into Saturday.
Buchanan remains the big absence
The most significant absence is still Max Buchanan.
Miami had to adjust without him against Florida State, and that remains one of the biggest practical concerns ahead of Pittsburgh. The Panthers are awkward enough already. They defend the run well, they take the ball away, and they are the sort of team that can make an afternoon messy if you let them.
That puts extra focus on Miami’s protection and on whoever lines up inside on the offensive line. Darian Mensah does not need perfect conditions to play well, but you would still rather not invite unnecessary pressure against a defence like Pitt’s.
Milan Parris being doubtful is not likely to change the shape of the game in a major way, but it does trim the receiver depth a little more.
Miami still have enough to like about their position
The full list of unavailable Hurricanes remains:
- WR Joshua Moore
- RB CharMar Brown
- DB Ja’Boree Antoine
- DB OJ Frederique Jr.
- OL Max Buchanan
- TE Luka Gilbert
And Milan Parris is listed as doubtful.
Pittsburgh have injury issues of their own, including the continued absence of starting quarterback Mason Heintschel, so this is not a one sided availability story. But from a Miami point of view, the key thing is that there has not been any late week deterioration in the players you most wanted available.
That gives the Hurricanes a decent platform going into Saturday.
A rare civilised kick off for UK Canes
This still feels like one of the best bits of the weekend.
No. 1 Miami vs Pittsburgh
Saturday 24 October
5pm UK | Noon ET
DAZN
Add in the 2001 national championship team celebration and this has the feel of a proper occasion at Hard Rock, without us having to ruin Sunday morning to watch it.
That alone deserves appreciation.
The Last Word from Across the Pond
This probably is not a game Miami need to win beautifully. It is a game they need to handle properly. The injury report suggests the Hurricanes are in reasonable shape apart from the longer-term absences, and that should be enough if they play with a bit more control than they did against Florida State. Pittsburgh are good enough defensively to punish sloppiness, but Miami have more than enough to win if they stay balanced, protect Mensah and avoid gifting Pitt momentum. At No. 1, that is the standard now.
