Miami Hurricanes : Preview 2009 : We Ready?

Miami Hurricanes Football 2009. Another season on the horizon. A 24-17 Emerald Bowl loss to Cal is so eight months ago. As is the reality of depending on almost two dozen freshman to carry a program in repair.

It’s year three of the Randy Shannon era. A combined record of 12-13 under the long-time Cane assistant and former linebacker. Recruiting has been top-flight, though the game day result has left much to be desired. Miami had a few gritty wins last season – Wake Forest, Virginia and Virginia – a three-game stretch were the Canes showed growth and promise.

Unfortunately that win-streak was followed up with three straight losses – Georgia Tech, NC State and Cal.

A lack of depth the culprit, injuries taking their toll and Miami still a few recruiting classes away from being able to reload and compete for a full season.

Year three is when a first-time coach with a game plan should see a difference. Year one, a disaster. Cleaning up the other guy’s mess, dealing with headcase-type players – holdovers from the old regime and the type of players that brought the program down.

Year two, some housecleaning and a foundation-laying recruiting class. A few steps forward, but you’re only going so far. Dependent on too many true freshman. Not enough depth to absorb injuries. The inability to close and learning the process of winning.

Year three, another strong class and a stable of battle-tested sophomores ready to make a difference. The program’s “veterans” – freshmen and sophomores when Shannon took over – have become leaders. They buy into the culture and they’re making sure the newbies are being brought up the right way.

Miami’s challenge remains the schedule. Absolutely brutal. Days back ESPN ranked is the hardest schedule in the nation. A double-edged sword for a program in repair.

Hit the ground running – taking down No. 18, No. 15, No. 7 and No. 3 in a matter of weeks – and you’re back in the game. Hands down the hottest team in the nation, with a rather tame eight-game stretch to close out the year.

That said, if you faceplant right out the gate, look out. It will get ugly and ugly fast. Schedule aside, 1-3 or 0-4 is still ugly to look at and bitter to swallow. The critics will be in full force. Doubt will creep into the minds of players. The wheels could fall off quickly and Shannon will be in for the fight of his career – trying to save his team and his job every Saturday in fall.

Ric Flair said it best; to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man. Miami has been a non-factor since a November 2005 loss to Georgia Tech – 20-21 since falling from that No. 3 perch. (The fact Miami was behind No. 1 USC and No. 2 Texas, almost impossible to fathom a few short years later.)

The Canes need to take a leap forward. A statement game is necessary and Miami has two shots out the gate with Florida State and Georgia Tech – two nationally televised, prime time ESPN throwdowns.

Sitting here in early September, no one has a clue where this season is going to go. Who gets hurt? Who steps up? Look at last year – do games go your way (Virginia or Virginia Tech) or do a few unlucky bounces cause defeat to be snatched from the jaws of victory (North Carolina or Florida State)?

The first four will tell the tale of 2009. Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma. A “murderer’s row” of college football.

0-4, a disaster. 1-3, ugly. 2-2, acceptable – barring the effort is there. 3-1, amazing. 4-0, incredible.

Personally, I see 2-2… but won’t cut out 3-0. A win at Florida State is doable and starts the season on the right foot. A ten-day layoff allows extra time to prep for Georgia Tech and a crafty triple option. Nine days to get ready for a road trip to Blacksburg and a Darren Evans-less Virginia Tech squad. From there, Oklahoma at Landshark – the outcome dependent upon how the first three play out.

The remaining eight games, all winnable – Florida A&M, UCF, Clemson, Wake Forest, Virginia, North Carolina, Duke and South Florida. Some new blood (in regards to the past few years) and all lesser teams, in comparison to the opening third of the season.

8-4 or 9-3 should be this team’s bare minimum. An acceptable step forward, should everything go right – starting with Jacory Harris avoiding the injury bug. A legit run at an ACC title game berth is within reach. The conference is truly wide open, though in no way should Miami be a favorite. Under the radar, the Canes will have to earn every win, steadily rising on a weekly basis.

As previously mentioned, Harris is this team’s lifeblood. Quarterback U has been quarterback-less the better part of this decade. Kyle Wright never panned out, nor did Kirby Freeman. Almost-Canes slated to get on board pulled out last minute, be it Pat Devlin, Derek Shaw, Daniel Stegall or Nick Fanuzzi.

Brock Berlin was cursed with the job of following Mr. 38-2, Ken Dorsey — crucified for letting Miami “slip” to an 11-2 and 9-3 during his two-year run. For all the grief Berlin took, he truly was the Canes’ last solid quarterback, scary as that may seem to some.

Harris needs to channel his best Dorsey if The U is going to rise from the ashes. He lacks a capable back up, but if he stays healthy – the pieces are aligned for Miami to light up scoreboards all year long.

The mind of new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. The stable of wideouts who could challenge anyone in the country (potential-wise). Depth at running back and an improved offensive line. Those critical of the line play, don’t underestimate what Whipple’s play calling will do for a line that seemed out of sync in Patrick Nix’s predictable offense.

Half the battle is scoring; half is stopping the other guy. Depth and injuries had Miami’s defense in a lurch last year, but don’t underestimate the impact a lack of offense had. Elementary playcalling. Three and outs instead of moving the chains. Momentum killers at every turn, forcing a tired and beat down defense back onto the field prematurely.

A better offense equates in better defense. It sets the tone as it’s a different ball game playing with a lead as opposed to being forced to stop the bleeding.

Monday night a new journey begins; against a familiar foe, but with a new-look crop of Canes. How ready is this squad? Is this the year lip service turns into proven results? Could it all be a simple as a little more depth and a sharp offensive mind? Miami unraveled over the span of a few years. Three years into an expected four or five year rebuilding project, just how close is The U to being back?

Find out on Labor Day in Trailerhassee.

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