Bethune-Cookman (4-6 in 2016) at No. 18 Miami (9-4), Saturday 12:30 p.m. ET (Raycom)
Line: No line.
Series record: Miami leads 3-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Malik Rosier gets his debut as the full-fledged starting quarterback for the Hurricanes, who spent most of camp trying to figure out who will replace Brad Kaaya under center. It’s really the first of what the Hurricanes hope is a two-game tuneup before Miami opens Atlantic Coast Conference play at No. 3 Florida State on Sept. 16.
KEY MATCHUP
Miami secondary vs. Bethune-Cookman WR Frank Brown. The Hurricanes lost some key parts of the secondary to graduation, and Brown — Bethune’s top offensive threat — should be a good test. Expect transfer CB Dee Delaney to spend at least some of his time shadowing Brown, who averaged 15 yards per catch and hauled in seven touchdowns last season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bethune-Cookman: QB Larry Brihm, Jr. Injured for part of last season, Brihm is athletic enough to be able to move around against what will be some serious pressure by the Miami front seven. Keeping him upright will be the Wildcats’ top priority, and may be a tall task.
Miami: RB Mark Walton. He was used sparingly in camp for a number of reasons — a slight hip injury, and the fact that Miami isn’t very deep at that spot. Look for Walton, who rushed for 1,117 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, to get some work in early and probably get the day off before long (that is, if the Hurricanes get the game in hand quickly).
FACTS & FIGURES
Miami finished last season on a five-game winning streak and enters the season ranked among the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2010. … Rosier is 1-0 as a starter, after leading Miami past Duke in 2015. … The first three Miami-Bethune games were predictably lopsided, with a combined score of 128-28. … Miami went 4-1 in nonconference games last season, and has won its last 10 home openers.
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