Skinny - Miami just can't seem to get back to where it was at the beginning of the decade. Miami used to breed quarterbacks, but they can't seem to find a quarterback of late. Hurricane fans are hoping Jacory Harris is finally that player. Harris had a solid season as a freshman and hopes to build on it along with fellow sophomore Aldarius Johnson. If the duo continues to develop they could remind Miami of the glory days. Miami was a streaky team last season, but they performed admirable in a bowl game against a much better Cal team. Miami, uncharateristically, struggled on run defense last season and hope to beef it up this season with a crew of sophomore starters. Sean Spence is the future of Miami defense at linebacker and could be a first team All-ACC player by the end of the season. Miami has cleaned up their program under Randy Shannon and now are trying to restore their football image after cleaning up the Thug U moniker.
Strength - Jason Fox
The left tackle is team's top player and has a nice 6-7 310 frame. Fox is one of two All-ACC players, in addition to K/P Matt Bosher, and specializes in protecting the quarterback's blind side. Fox didn't get enough credit in post-season honors last season, but he didn't allow a sack last season from the most crucial spot on the offensive line, the quarterback's blindside. Knowing your blind side is safe gives a quarterback more confidence manuevering through the pocket and finding open receivers.
Weakness - Defensive Line
The defensive line is full of highly ranked players from high school, but they ranked real low in the nation in stuffing the run, on a team known for solid defense. Shannon was also a defensive coordinator before his head coaching role, so one would expect better from a Shannon coached team. Allen Bailey had 5 sacks last season and he'll be a starting tackle this season. The good news is five sacks is great for a tackle; the bad news is the 5 sacks came from the end position and 5 sacks is not a great number for a team leader. The line should be shuffled a lot as the team waits for players to develop and emerge.
Key Game - 9/7/09 @Florida State
Miami easily has the toughest 4 game stretch to open the season in the country. Playing @Florida State, Georgia Tech, @Virginia Tech, and Oklahoma seems demoralizing. Miami will be lucky to start the season 2-2 or even 1-3. Of course the schedule only gets easier, but Florida A&M and UCF are the only two non-BCS schools on the schedule. Beating rival Florida State in the opener would ease the pain of the upcoming schedule as the first three games are all pivotal conference games.
Key Player - Jacory Harris
Miami has a nightmare schedule to open the season and Jacory Harris must remain composed through the stretch. Harris was the starter last season, while splitting time with the departed Rober Marve, so he knows what starting in the ACC is like. Aldarius Johnson is a high ceiling receiver to throw to and Graig Cooper and Javarris James are both back at tailback to take the pressure off the passing game. The offense was only 50th in scoring last season and Harris must improve those numbers if Miami wants to compete in the ACC and not get embarassed by teams like Oklahoma.
Impact Freshman - Ray Ray Armstrong
Predicted ACC finish - 4th (Coastal)
Top 5 Players
1. LT Jason Fox
2. WR Aldarius Johnson
3. LB Sean Spence
4. K/P Matt Bosher
5. QB Jacory Harris
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