Miami Hurricanes Schedule Preview

Danny DolphinJul 23, 2010

If you thought last year’s schedule was tough, you are mistaken. At the end of next season the Canes will potentially have faced seven or eight ranked teams. With games on the road at Ohio State and Pittsburgh in weeks two and three, the Miami offensive line better gel quickly or it’s going to be a long season.

After the first five games we will know if this team is national title worthy or simply miss-hyped yet again. My gut is on the former. The 2010-11 Canes have the balance, experience, and talent to make a run at a national title.

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GM 1 – Florida A&M – 9/2

Last time : The Rattlers got smoked in Miami last season by a score of 48 – 16. Halfback Damien Berry blew through the A&M defense with 162 yards on the ground.

Senior quarterback Curtis Pulley returns and essentially is the A&M offense. He runs nearly as much as he passes. If you shut him down you shut the team down. This one will be another Canes rout.

GM 2 – @ Ohio State – 9/11

Last time : No animosity between these two, right? Back in 2002 the Bucks stole a national title from Miami with a phantom pass interference call in the final seconds leading to a 31-24 win in overtime.

The Canes have a shot at vengeance now against a loaded Ohio State squad led by standout quarterback Terrell Pryor . The key to containing him is keeping him in the pocket. Make his arm beat you.

GM 3 – @ Pittsburgh – 9/23

Last time : Back in 2003 when the Canes were still in the Big East they locked up star Pitt receiver Larry Fitzgerald en route to a 28-14 win at Heinz Field.

The Panthers are loaded this year with future potential first-rounders in halfback Dion Lewis , receiver Jonathan Baldwin , and defensive end Greg Romeus . That’s great and all if they have a quarterback. Tino Sunseri is in his first year as starter and will face a fast, physical Miami defense in just his third start.

GM 4 – @ Clemson – 10/2

Last time : Last October, they put together one of the most entertaining games in the ACC all season in a 40-37 Clemson victory over 10th ranked Miami.

Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker is back for his second year after thinking about leaving school to play professional baseball. Gone is the electric C.J. Spiller. This should be another great matchup with both defenses possessing elite speed and playmakers all over the field.

GM 5 – Florida State – 10/9

Last time : In the opener last year FSU and Miami put on a thrilling show, with Jacory Harris playing the role of hero in the 38-34 Canes victory.

It’s going to be another quarterback duel between Harris and Christian Ponder. Miami will have the edge holding home field advantage.

GM 6 – @ Duke – 10/16

Last time : The Canes smashed the Dukies last season as usual by a score of 34-16. However, they aren’t the 1-10 or 2-9 team from the past anymore and are finally starting to make a push towards mediocrity.

Their QB has graduated and although they return a star receiver in Donovan Varner (1047 yards, 8 TD) it is not going to be enough to take out “The U”.

GM 7 – North Carolina – 10/23

Last time : The Heels routed the Canes 33-24 last season as Harris struggled, throwing 4 interceptions against a sturdy defense.

The defensive side of the ball will again be UNC’s strength this year headlined by three premier players in end Robert Quinn, Tackle Marvin Austin and Safety Duenta Williams. All three should be first rounders next April. Miami is a much more balanced team, however, and if they can limit the turnovers this time around it will go a long way.

GM 8 – @ Virginia – 10/30

Last time : The Hurricanes pummeled the Cavaliers on the ground last year to the tune of 268 yards rushing en route to a 52-17 victory.

Virginia is one of the dogs of the ACC and they haven’t done anything of late to change that.

GM 9 – Maryland – 11/6

Last time : The Canes haven’t faced the Terrapins since 2006, when Kirby Freeman was at the helm of the Miami offense. Maryland won 14-13.

Maryland finished last season at the bottom of the ACC with a 2-10 overall record. Miami better be clicking on all cylinders in this one because they face the two Techs of the ACC up next.

GM 10 – @ Georgia Tech – 11/13

Last time : Miami shut down Tech’s lethal running game in a dominant 33-17 victory back in week two of last year.

Tech lost standout receiver Demaryius Thomas and halfback Jonathan Dwyer to the NFL so they are going to lack some pop in their offense. They do return their quarterback, however, in Josh Nesbitt.

GM 11 – Virginia Tech – 11/20

Last time : Miami was flying high last season until they got smacked by the Hokies in Blacksburg in week 3. They ran all over a struggling Miami defense with 272 yards rushing.

This matchup could be a wild one because it could have major conference championship and even national championship implications. Both teams return the bulk of their talent.

GM 12 – South Florida – 11/27

Last time : The Canes threw down 252 yards rushing against a hopeless Bulls defense in a 31-10 blowout last season.

Again, a Canes–Bulls showdown will close out the regular season and I would be shocked if the result was much different than last year.