Sports Update Monday: 2013 Miami Hurricanes Football Preview
It’s been 10 long years since the Miami Hurricanes joined the ACC, and UM has yet to make an appearance in the conference title game. This lack of success coupled with the long, arduous still ongoing NCAA investigation into the Shapiro scandal, has left even the most optimistic and hardcore ‘Cane fan weary. But alas, Al Golden and staff have re-stocked the roster with talent. Last season’s 7-5 season was a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, but talent emerged. And young talent at that.
Offense
To me it all starts up front, where Miami has 3 (maybe more) potential NFL players in C Shane McDermott, G Brandon Linder, and T Seantrel Henderson. Henderson in particular has had an outstanding fall camp. Monstrous LT Ereck Flowers and either Gs Jon Feliciano or Malcolm Bunche (both will play) will round out a group that averages about 6’5 320. That’s big by NFL standards. And they are all talented! This is a group that not only boasts size but also experience. (91 career starts amongst them)
2012 ACC Freshman of the Year Duke Johnson promises to pick up where he left off (957 yards and 6.9 ypc) last season behind the outstanding O line. Look for Duke to rush for about 1300 yards and a dozen or so TDs.
As great as the rushing attack will be, I still expect new OC James Coley and Co. to air it out as much as possible behind the strong, accurate arm of Stephen Morris. The light really came on for Morris last year by season’s end, and he took huge strides in the off season to get even better. Morris has a plethora of weapons, including Phillip Dorsett who just happens to run a 4.29 40. But the guy I really think is going to emerge as the #1 is Herb Waters, who is nearly as fast as Dorsett, but is also perhaps the most sure-handed of the group as well as a technician with his route running.
Bottom line, there is that much talent and way too much experience for the ‘Canes not to perform at a very high level offensively. Look for Miami to light up the scoreboard week in and week out.
Defense
The struggles of the Hurricanes defense last season have been well documented. There are so many bad statistics it is hard to know where to start in explaining how awful it was in 2012. The one that maybe most important is the defense surrendered 30.5 points per game last season, which ranked 85th in the country. Miami also was 113th in sacks with 13, and 112th against the run. 113th and 112th?!?!
A lot of the poor play can be chalked up to youth. The play up front was largely limited by injury as well. But in addition to inexperience and youth, it often looked like the D just wasn’t good enough at the point of attack last season, which made stopping the run or generating a pass rush nearly impossible. Word around camp is SIZE is going to be a big reason for improvement.
Al Golden himself pointed out that this year’s defense looks not only looks bigger, they are in much better condition. And while only 50% of the team passed their conditioning requirements last season, 100% “destroyed” it this season.
Fair analysis for sure, and reason for optimism. With the offense being as high powered as it is, the defense need only be serviceable. Something tells us that the goals of the unit just might be higher than that. Expect drastic improvement!
Bottom Line
The Canes kick-off their season this Friday against FAU, and the U returns 19 of 22 starters and the long light at the end of the tunnel finally appears within reach for UM fans. The second game against Florida game jumps out as an immediate opportunity to gain national credibility. The FSU game is always huge, that goes without saying. But for Miami to at long last make an ACCCG they need to take care of business against a very good UNC team, and break the Virginia hoax. Getting Va Tech at Sun Life for a second consecutive season due to the new ACC scheduling format, is a huge break. A first, long waited appearance in the ACCCG looks like a definite possibility in 2013.