2013-14 Preview (ACC) Miami
Miami is one of the most fearsome programs in college football. Sure they have been down of late and there are some questions surrounding future penalties but everyone in college football knows that if, and when, they get things going again they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Miami Hurricanes (Team Link)
Coach: Al Golden
2012 Record: 7-5
Odds of winning BCS Championship: +4500
They are sort of like the USC of the Southeast that way. I am not saying they are all the way there just yet but 2013 is another step in the journey.
This year Miami is eligible to win the Coastal Division and represent it in the ACC Championship. That is a target that is well within their grasp as this team has a lot of experience on offense and lot of athletes on defense. Its a combination that should move them from 7 wins they had last year into double digits.
They might even be a sleeper for the BCS.
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The Hurricanes averaged 31ppg last season. I know that total isn’t what it used to be but the Canes are primed to push that even higher this season with an offense that has 8 starters returning. The most pivotal among them is senior QB Stephen Morris.
It seems like he has fallen off the radar since the drama about him vs. now graduated Jacory Harris but he has evolved into a top notch college QB who was brilliant last year with better than 3300 yards, 21 TDs and just 7 interceptions.
His top targets from last year all return too led by WR Phillip Dorsett
One of the reasons this offense could be really special this year is because of what RB Duke Johnson showed last year as a freshman. Johnson broke Clinton Portis’ freshman program record while averaging almost 7 yards per carry with 10 TDs. This season behind an experienced line and not having to share as many carries he could easily double his production and gain between 1500 and 1800 yards. He is exciting to watch and has amazing potential.
When the Miami Hurricanes are really good it is their defense that leads the way. Last year they had a winning record but the D was the worst in the ACC in yards allowed and that just isn’t the “U”.
There is going to be a lot of pressure on defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio to improve this unit which is loaded with athletic players and thus has great potential. Only three starters return which means several new players are being counted upon to produce. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Given what we saw last year that is probably a good thing and the part of the defense I like the best is their pair of sophomore safeties Deon Bush and Rayshawn Jenkins. Both are capable of making big plays against the run and the pass.
2013-14 Record Projection: 11-1
I have to admit I am little more bullish on Miami than most, maybe all. They have a couple of games that could easily swing either way but this year I am giving them then the benefit of the doubt at home against Florida (brutal offense) and on the road against Florida State (frosh QB).
That could be a little too generous but I think both of those teams are ripe for a setback or two this season. The one place I think they will fall is at North Carolina.
This squad is far from perfect and the Tar Heels are more than good and experienced enough to knock off the Canes like they did last season. Assuming the Canes are as strong as I think they will be I love them as an underdog in the ACC Championship (if they get there), especially if it is another chance to beat the Seminoles.
Miami may not be in the conversation of teams that could reasonably challenge to play for the last BCS Championship but I think they can certainly be in that next tier and start scaring folks again. The “U” is almost all the way back folks as everything breaks nicely for Miami this season.
Miami 2013 Schedule:
AUG 30 – Florida Atlantic
SEP 7 – Florida
SEP 21 – Savannah State
SEP 28 – @South Florida
OCT 5 – Georgia Tech
OCT 17 – @North Carolina
OCT 26 – Wake Forest
NOV 2 – @Florida State
NOV 9 – Virginia Tech
NOV 16 – @Duke
NOV 23 – Virginia
NOV 29 – @Pittsburgh
