| Miami's Duke Johnson returns to help lead the Hurricanes offense. (Joel Auerbach, Getty Images.) |
Today at No. 30: Miami
Coach: Al Golden (13-11 entering second season; 40-45 overall)
2012 record: 7-5 (5-3 in ACC, tied for first ACC Coastal Division)
Look back: Miami coach Al Golden has faced the tough task of leading the Hurricanes during a sprawling NCAA investigation. NCAA investigators alleged the Hurricanes suffered from a lack of institutional control after former booster Nevin Shapiro provided impermissible benefits to athletes. The violations were committed before Golden's tenure, but he is left waiting to see whether the NCAA tacks on more punishment beyond the Hurricanes' extensive self-imposed penalties.
Golden has managed to string together strong recruiting classes and inspired his players to tie first place in the ACC Coastal Division last season. However, a self-imposed postseason ban prevented the Hurricanes from facing off with rival Florida State in the 2012 ACC Championship Game.
Despite the postseason disappointment, the Hurricanes could still call the 2012 campaign a success. The offense led the way, with freshman running back Duke Johnson emerging as a breakout star. While blowout losses to Kansas State and Notre Dame were frustrating for the program, the team picked up momentum by winning four of its first six games. After back-to-back close losses to North Carolina and FSU, UM won three of its final four games. The team would have been eligible for a bowl game if the school had not imposed a postseason penalty.
Offensive starters returning: 10
Offensive starters lost: 1
Defensive starters returning: 10
Defensive starters lost: 1
Key losses: RB Mike James, CB Brandon McGee, K Jake Wieclaw, P Dalton Botts
Top returnees: RB/KR Duke Johnson, QB Stephen Morris, WR Allen Hurns, WR Phillip Dorsett, RT Seantrel Henderson, C Shane McDermott, DE Anthony Chickillo, LB Denzel Perryman
Strengths: Last season's Miami team was young, contributing to a 52-13 loss at Kansas State and a 41-3 loss versus Notre Dame in Chicago early in the year. Those painful mistakes, however, should translate to a big boost during the upcoming season. The Hurricanes return 20 total starters.
The offense should once again be especially strong. Johnson is poised to begin his sophomore campaign after rushing for 947 yards and 10 touchdowns on 139 carries, averaging 6.8 yards per touch his freshman season. He also caught 27 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown and returned 27 kickoffs for 892 yards and two touchdowns.
Stephen Morris completed 245 of the 421 passes he attempted for 3,345 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Morris will once again have a powerful rushing threat in Johnson, a solid offensive line and a variety of receiving options to work with.
Weaknesses: The defense was the Hurricanes' biggest weakness last season. Miami gave up 30.5 points per game last season, the worst tally in school history according to college football analyst Phil Steele. UM ranked No. 116 out of 120 teams nationally in total defense, giving up 486.4 yards per game. The 'Canes were especially weak up front, ranking No. 112 in rushing defense (217.9 yards allowed per game) and No. 113 in sacks (1.1 per game).
Outlook: While Hurricanes are far from being national title contenders, the program is clearly headed in a positive direction under Golden's watch and the Hurricanes could clinch the first ACC title in school history. The key to the team's success will be showing significant improvement on defense. If UM can score an upset win over rival Florida State, it would vault the 'Canes back into the college football national spotlight.
2013 schedule
dr seuss History Channel The Bible alex smith alex smith The Bible History Channel Melissa King Heat Harlem Shake
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.