According to Athlon, "We’re # 35… We’re # 35!"

Every year I say the same thing; I’m not going to get sucked into the preseason rags. Whether your team is on top or unranked, the commentary is arbitrary. One mag will have you a top your conference, another thinks you’re middle of the pack. In one, your team boasts a few All-Americans and in another, you’re completely void of talent.

Even worse, the fact that the writers in question barely scratch the surface regarding your preferred team. With 120 teams to rank, I’m sure it’s difficult to legitimately break down and analyze every aspect of a program. Still, humor me. Get your facts straight. Learn a little about up and coming players or who a capable back up will be. Factor in the intangibles. Dig a little.

I know all this, yet every June I’m so starved for anything college football-related, I’ll fork out the $7.99 for any and every publication I can get my hands on. First up this year, Athlon Sports – arguably one of my least favorites over the years.

Athlon ranks Miami #35 out of 120 programs and picks the Canes fourth in the ACC Coastal, behind Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Georgia Tech. Ouch.

Athlon makes reference of Mark Whipple taking over the Miami offense, though limiting this huge addition to a one sentence – “has a long history of success in college and professional football”. When discussing Jacory Harris taking over, the sophomore quarterback is described as “not having the greatest physical skills in the world” though they mention he “minimizes mistakes” and “was a strong leader, even as a freshman”.

The best could be yet to come from Graig Cooper… Javarris James needs to stay healthy… Six receivers return, but could be a year away from dominating… question marks at tight end… starting offensive line is good, but back ups are untested. Nothing we didn’t already know, but definitely sounds like commentary from someone who doesn’t follow the program.

Anyone who doesn’t think that Aldarius Johnson and LaRon Byrd can’t dominate year two, weren’t paying attention last season. Both have “it” and both could be legitimate go-to threats in 2009. Also, no mention of the influx of talent at running back? Mike James has turned heads in practice and Lamar Miller should do the same when he arrives on campus. If you’re going to hype what Bryce Brown ‘might’ do at Tennessee year one, why not show some other talented true freshmen backs the same love? Especially one who actually tore up spring practice.

An expected dig that Miami is on its fourth defensive coordinator in as many seasons… though no explanation as to why. Randy Shannon promoted to head coach. The Tim Walton experiment failing year one. Bill Young headed back to his alma mater for his dream job, which led to the hiring of John Lovett.

Talent at defensive line, though no one has emerged yet… concern at linebacker, though a healthy Colin McCarthy and a solid year two from Sean Spence will help. An attempt at a dig regarding Darryl Sharpton being a man in the middle that “won’t make anyone forget Ray Lewis or Jonathan Vilma”, yet nothing about last year’s superstar recruit Arthur Brown waiting in the wings behind Sharpton. In all the hubbub about Li’l Brown, the Tennessee-based Athlon forgot all about big brother.

Matt Bosher gets his props and Travis Benjamin was referred to as “the second coming of Devin Hester”, which sounds sexy, but is a bit premature.

Regarding unit rankings within the ACC, Athlon graded Miami out as follows: Quarterback (9th), Running Backs (6th), Wide Receivers/Tight Ends (1st), Offensive Line (7th), Defensive Line (6th), Linebackers (3rd) and Defensive Backs (10th).

(Do I even have to note the inconsistency with ranking the receivers best in conference, yet a few pages later stating that they may be too experienced to make a difference this year? Go Athlon!)

The final analysis states that Miami is as talented as anybody in the ACC, but lacks the experience necessary to make a run at a conference crown. Logical on paper, I guess… but again, another stale analysis from outsiders who don’t “get” what’s going on.

I’m not really a betting man, but I’d gladly take the over on Miami finishing fourth in the Coastal Division. Any Athlon folk want in on that action?

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