5. The secondary stepping up: First team All-ACC and third team All-American cornerback Brandon Harris leads the way for the Hurricanes secondary. Senior DeMarcus Van Dyke mans the other cornerback spot, while sophomore Ray Ray Armstrong showed flashes of brilliance at the safety spot in 2009. Many expect a breakout year for Armstrong in 2010. Redshirt sophomore Vaughn Telemaque earned rave reviews for his spring play, with Coach Randy Shannon comparing him to Ed Reed. Redshirt freshman Jamal Reid will support Armstrong and Telemaque, but the unit as a whole needs to increase its interception total from last year (9). This is the year that units such as the secondary are supposed to reap the rewards of having true freshman and sophomores as starters in 2008 and 2009.
4. Early road games: After opening up with Florida A&M, Miami faces three road games against teams that finished in the AP’s top 25 in 2009. First up is a trip to the Horseshoe in Columbus to seek redemption for the 2003 Fiesta Bowl (never mind the fact that Jacory Harris was 12 years old at the time) against Ohio State (#5). Next is a Thursday night game at Pittsburgh (#15). The following week Miami travels to Memorial Stadium in Clemson (#24) who always plays Miami tough. Much like last year’s schedule, Miami faces quite the gauntlet to open up. They should be healthy and Coach Shannon and Co. have never had as much depth, speed and talent as they do this year. Last year’s 3-1 run against FSU, GT, VT, and Oklahoma have set expectations high for this year. Keep in mind that a match up against in state rival FSU looms in Miami the week after the Clemson game.
3. Middle Linebacker: The Hurricanes have veteran leadership at the LB position, led by Junior Sean Spence and Senior Colin McCarthy. The coaching staff would like them to play on the outside, however, which would require a reliable option in the middle. The hope is that either senior Kylan Robinson or redshirt freshman Rayon Green will emerge to helm the middle, though right now it is unlikely that will happen. It is quite possible that McCarthy will be asked to move inside. Having a middle linebacker emerge and allowing Spence and McCarthy to stay on the outside would be a huge asset for the LB unit. Also, Spence and McCarthy have to remain healthy after both have had injury plagued seasons in the past.
2. The Offensive Line: After giving up 35 sacks in 2009, the offensive line lost Jason Fox, a first team All-ACC selection. This unit is probably the one with the most questions heading into the fall. Returning starters Orlando Franklin and Joel Figueroa man the left side. Redshirt freshman Jermaine Johnson appears to be penciled in as the right tackle starter, while junior Tyler Horn should anchor the center spot. The right guard spot is up in the air and either junior Harland Gunn or sophomore Brandon Washington will have to emerge. Coach Shannon recognized the lack of depth here and wisely stocked up on O-Line talent in the 2010 recruiting class. It is possible that 6’6″ true freshman Malcom Bunche could find his way into the starting lineup sooner rather than later. It is imperative that this unit not only stays healthy but gels, because the #1 key to the success on the 2010 Miami Hurricanes’ season is…
1. The Health of Jacory Harris: Without question, the single most important component of a successful 2010 campaign is keeping Jacory Harris’ 195 lb. frame healthy. The Hurricanes are finally blessed with depth as a team, but lack it at the quarterback position. True sophomore AJ Highsmith is in line to back Harris up, but he is untested. Spencer Whipple and Stephen Morris will battle it out for the #3 spot, but if Jacory goes down, it alters this team’s capabilities considerably. Gone would be the deep threat and Miami will be relegated to a predictable run first team. Keeping Harris healthy is of utmost importance if the Hurricanes want to entertain thoughts of ACC and national title runs in 2010.
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