Watch out for the Miami "The U" Hurricanes in 2010!

Well so far this off-season for the Miami “The U” Hurricanes things have been quiet and the Canes’ seem ok with that. Things seem to be in place for the first time in years.  There is no drama, no players getting in trouble, head coach Randy Shannon signed a new contract and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple returns as offensive coordinator. We can’t forget about my boy quarterback Jacory Harris returning  to lead a potent offense.

Last season the Hurricanes had a tough schedule. Their first four games were brutal (Florida State, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma and Georgia Tech). But they Canes’ fought hard and played each team tough and made it through the brutal four game stretch with a 3-1 record. But this team was inconsistent all season. QB Jacory Harris who started the season hot struggled mightily in the middle of the season with dumb turnovers. I think what happen with Harris was that he got a little too cocky after he hard his name being mentioned early in the Heisman Race. But it’s not all Harris fault last season. The offensive line struggled to block for him. Tackles Jason Fox and Matt Pipho need to be replace. G Orlando Franklin has look solid this off-season and will assume Fox’s spot at LT. There are other lineman on the roster but they have been slowed by injuries. Malcolm Bunche and Shane McDermott who enrolled early are expected to contribute. In the future look out for these promising players such as Jermaine Johnson (who could be a future All-Pro lineman) Jared Wheeler and Cory White.

The main objective for the Hurricanes heading into this 2010 season is to get tougher. The team blew a couple of games in the final minutes especially the game against Clemson. The strength of this team is its receiving core. The WR’s all have big play ability. Leonard Hankerson, Aldarius Johnson, Thearon Collier, Travis Benjamin and LaRon Byrd are one of the best WR units in the nation, all receivers are big guys that have speed, speed, speed!

But Miami needs to be balance this year. It’s important that they get their running game going early. Their backfield is too talented not to be utilized like it should be. Expect RB Greg Cooper to have a big year. But don’t count out senior RB Damien Berry. He will split carries with Cooper. Berry is a tough in between the tackles runner.

On defense there are three big play guys. On the defensive line DE Allen Bailey is one of the best ends in the nation. He is so quick and strong. He definitely will be commanding a lot of double teams. LB Sean Spence returns after a sub-par 2009 year. He needs to get stronger in the weight room. He was pushed around too much on the field.CB Brandon Harris is one of the best young corners in college football. He is a play-maker and is always around the ball.

The bottom line is this, the Canes are back and should be. This is the most talented team coach Shannon has had. Their are play-makers all over. There is good solid quality depth throughout each positions. Harris just needs to be smarter with the football and try not to do too much. The schedule isn’t as hard as it was last year. The Canes’ first big test will be at the Horseshoe against the Buckeyes in the second game of the year. Canes’ need to dominate or at least beat the Buckeyes to show the world that the “U” is back. My prediction 10-1!