Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes 2010 NCAAF Preview, Schedule, Odds, and Predictions: Head Football Coach Randy Shannon has the Miami Hurricanes getting better since taking the helm in 2007 with 5-7, 7-6, and last year 9-4 records. When he was hired he was expected to “build a fence” around south Florida as far as keeping talented recruits at home. Unfortunately Miami doesn’t have enough scholarships for the talent in the area which is recruited heavily on a national basis. The Cane faithful are still restless after the glory days of old and winning national championships. The team has not had a 10 win season since 2003 and has never won the ACC since joining in 2004. What’s the outlook this season with this year’s tough schedule after a “preseason warm up” against Florida A & M, then road games at Ohio State, Pitt, Clemson, then home against Florida State?
“We have to get tougher,” says Shannon, referring to losses last season versus Clemson, UNC and Wisconsin that were decided in the final 15 minutes. The Canes are definitely more experienced with predominately juniors and seniors on the depth chart. “Now we have guys that have been through the fire and should be able to step up,” Shannon says. “We’re a different football team.” Vegas odds makers have the Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes +1700 odds to win the 2011 BCS National Championship.
The Canes need to keep quarterback Jacory Harris healthy for the offense to excel. Harris tossed 24 touchdowns in his first full season as the Canes signal caller, but also was intercepted 17 times the most in the ACC. Not a good ratio at any level. Running backs Damien Berry and Mike James return to lead a talented stable of ball carriers that also includes Storm Johnson a true freshman who was supposed to be the star of Miami’s 2010 recruits. Leonard Hankerson leads the group of big and speedy receivers that includes LaRon Byrd, Aldarius Johnson and Tommy Streeter making wide out the deepest position on the field for the Canes. . The odds makers at SBG Global have the Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes +240 to win the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The defensive unit could bring back the glory days when the Hurricanes suffocated offenses with fear and intimidation. The Linebackers unit as a whole has some returning experience with talented playmakers in junior Sean Spence and senior Colin McCarthy. Allen Bailey returns at defensive end and could have opted for the NFL, but chose to return for his senior season and will anchor a deep D-line. The odds makers at SBG Global have the Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes middle number listed at over/under 8 1/2 wins for the 2010 NCAAF regular season.
The Miami Hurricanes are loaded with speed and talent like the days of old, but can they parley that into wins with a ferocious early schedule. I predict a 10-2 regular season and a berth in the ACC Championship game giving them a chance at a BCS Bowl.
2010 Miami (FL) Hurricanes Football Schedule
Thu, Sept 2 vs Florida A&M 7:30 PM ET
Sat, Sept 11 @ #2 Ohio State 3:40 PM ET
Thu, Sept 23 @ #15 Pittsburgh 7:30 PM ET
Sat, Oct 2 @ Clemson TBD
Sat, Oct 9 vs #20 Florida State TBD
Sat, Oct 16 @ Duke TBD T
Sat, Oct 23 vs #18 North Carolina TBD
Sat, Oct 30 @ Virginia TBD
Sat, Nov 6 vs Maryland TBD
Sat, Nov 13 @ #16 Georgia Tech TBD
Sat, Nov 20 vs #10 Virginia Tech TBD
Sat, Nov 27 vs South Florida TBD