No. 8: Miami Hurricanes
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 2:39AM 
By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season
Miami has found its way into just about everybody's top 10 this preseason, having somehow done it very quietly. And it's been quite a while since a highly ranked Hurricanes squad did anything under the radar.
But fourth-year coach Randy Shannon has steadily revived a Miami program that finished 7-6 in 2006. His first two teams were an unimpressive 12-13, but Shannon and the new-identity Canes made some waves last year with early season defeats of ranked Florida State, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma teams. Miami finished 9-4 in 2009 and left plenty of reason for optimism with its cast of players returning for 2010.
Headlining of course will be Jacory Harris, the junior quarterback who likely will be among Heisman Trophy contenders if he can guide his Hurricanes to a win at Ohio State in Week 2. If he curbs mistakes and plays with better focus -- he threw an ACC-worst 17 interceptions last year -- Miami should win what will be a treacherous ACC Coastal Division this year.
Harris is loaded with skill players around him. Backs Graig Cooper and Damien Berry combined for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. Cooper is on the mend from a late-season knee injury, but insists he'll be ready for the season opener. Even if he can't go, Miami is flush with backup talent.
Leonard Hankerson, Travis Benjamin and Aldarius Johnson could very well be the nation's most dangerous trio of wideouts. Each averaged more than 17 yards a grab last year, and they combined for 1,600 yards and 11 touchdowns.
With youth in some spots and shuffling in others, the line is the chief concern of the offense, provided Harris makes the growth that's expected of him. And if he does, perhaps a line lacking early season continuity won't be insurmountable.
Defensively, Miami will rely on its front and secondary to cover up a possible downgrade from last year's linebacking corps, where Darryl Sharpton has taken his talents to the NFL's Houston Texans. But defensive ends Allen Bailey and Marcus Robinson should get help from linebacker Sean Spence to cause havoc in opposing backfields.
If college football had a DB U of the last 20 years, Miami would be it. Junior cornerback Brandon Harris and sophomore safety Vaughn Telemaque will lead a unit more than capable of continuing that great tradition.
Who's back? QB Jacory Harris, RB Graig Cooper, WR Leonard Hankerson, DE Allen Bailey, LB Colin McCarthy
Who's gone? RB Javarris James, LB Darryl Sharpton, OT Jason Fox, S Randy Phillips
Why they'll win: Established players want to return Miami to prominence, and young stars from that great 2008 recruiting class are ready to assert themselves.
Why they'll lose: If Harris doesn't improve his decision-making skills, Miami can be in big trouble with a difficult early season schedule.
Get your tickets: at Ohio State (Sept. 11), at Pittsburgh (Sept. 23), vs. Florida State (Oct. 9), at Georgia Tech (Nov. 13), vs. Virginia Tech (Nov. 20)
Prediction: 10-2 (7-1, ACC Coastal champs)
Reader Comments (1)
Who will they beat OSU or PITT?