Hang on. Here we go…

I originally planned on writing a preview regarding tomorrow’s Miami v. Marshall match up, but I changed my mind. I really don’t care who’s on the other side of that ball on September 1st. I’m just glad the Canes are finally running out that Orange Bowl tunnel for the first time since last Thanksgiving.

We say it every year, but has there truly been a longer off-season?

Last time Miami played at home it was like a funeral. Senior night without a recently buried teammate. The eve of the firing of a sixth year head coach. The final home game of the worst season of Hurricane Football in a decade.

Rest in peace, sayonara and thank God – in that order.

Since then we’ve also found out this is the OB’s farewell tour and there won’t be an encore. Seven more home games in a legendary stadium which spanned just about seven decades. But let’s not go there. The tone of this message is one of a positive nature. This is a well-deserved fresh start.

I truly don’t care the opponent this Saturday and I refuse to bore myself breaking down Marshall’s offensive and defensive numbers for 2006. For what? Tomorrow is about the Canes. I’m ready to see if my feeling about this team is warranted. I want validation for what my gut is telling me.

I’ve read that The U came in somewhere around #31 in the preseason top 25. Somewhere in that ‘others receiving votes’ category. Ouch. Been a while since we’ve seen that. But after 7-6 can you really complain? I mean outside the fact that Florida State flew in under the radar at #21 after 7-6 and their own litany of issues.

Last season ended with a thud, so the lack of media respect is actually warranted… for once. I just hope it means a lot of fools are eating their words in a few weeks. Nothing would make me happier.

Preseason rankings are biased, but us Canes rarely care as we’re oft on the top of the hill looking down on the complaining masses. Staring up from #31, we’re feeling this daunting task. Yet in reality the ranking meshes with everything coach Shannon has been preaching these past eight months on the job.

Forget the past. One game at a time. Control your own destiny. Take care of business. Make yourselves accountable. If ever there was a Miami team to not give a damn about preseason rankings and names on the back of their jerseys, I feel this can be it.

The media masses haven’t been paying attention to the noise coming out of south Florida this off-season. It’s a lot easier to base your predictions solely on last year’s results.

Doesn’t take much thought to regurgitate the same ol‘ same ol’ – new coach, coming off a down year, issues with the facilities, looking at a few years to bounce back, etc.

Bristol, CT is a long way from Coral Gables and anybody can read a teleprompter. Those of us who follow this program like a religion, we know what’s going on. That ‘feeling’ is coming back.

We’re not sure how far away we are, but we know it’s closer than the critics think. There’s something in the air when Miami is on the rise and only the locals and crazies can smell it.

I’m not calling for a return to greatness this season. But I’m not ruling one out, either.

Everybody’s going to know pretty damned quickly what kind of team The U will field this year. Miami returns 17 starters. Are these guys Cokerized beyond repair, or did they just need their new leader to raise the bar? 12-0, 12-1 and 11-2 became 9-3, 9-3 and 7-6 in the blink of an eye. How much of that was talent and how much was coaching?

Were the Canes void of talent or just missing a few playmakers here and there? Can a raised level of competition have an immediate impact? The college football world is about to find out.

You know my view from up here. I believe Miami’s going to surprise this year. A few losses are understandable, but a few upsets are expected. This team is not as far off as the masses believe. But we’re still one week away from that direction-changing statement game.

Right now, it’s all about Marshall and that said, here’s to a season which proves we’re still Miami.

It’s not ‘New Orleans or bust’. At least, not yet. Let’s start with first downs, touchdowns and some offensive firepower to match a top-ranked defense. Let’s see if this new crop of Canes is up for the challenge. Lots of freshman making their mark after half a year of speculation and afternoon battles on Greentree. It’s time to bring it. Showtime. Unload on the Thundering Herd and give the Sooners something to think about regarding next week.

Welcome to college ball in 2007. After last season, Miami deserve something to smirk about this coming Saturday.

It’s time to take that first step back towards greatness. Let’s do this thing already.

.:Canes305:.

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