The BCS Should Watch Out For The Storm Approaching

With it's ACC counterpart's facing some of the nation's weaker teams at the moment for it's first few games of the season, the Miami Hurricanes decided to run before it could crawl when it came to scheduling.

The Hurricanes are on a Usain Bolt pace.

Following two years of mediocrity and even failing to record a postseason appearance two years ago when the team went 5-7 and 7-6 (with a resulting loss in the Emerald Bowl to California), respectively, the Hurricanes faced the possibility of starting the 2009-'10 campaign at 0-4.

Match ups at Florida State, and Virginia Tech, along with home outings against Georgia Tech and Oklahoma had many of the Miami faithful cringing at the thought of another unsuccessful, bowl-less season.

So far, so good for Miami and it's fans.

In a matter of three weeks, the 'Canes have leapfrogged from unranked to ninth in the nation after winning a battle in Tallahassee, and then easily handling a Yellow Jackets team that has had Miami's number since their inception into the ACC, including a dismal 41-23 loss last year when Miami allowed 472 yards.

A lot has happened in the span of less than a year.

The Miami Hurricanes have found their starting quarterback for the next three years in former Miami Northwestern High School standout Jacory Harris.

Harris is used to winning, finishing his high school career at 30-0. He has transitioned that into the college game with a new look Miami offense.

Harris's ability to stay calm, poised, and under control are the main reasons why the Hurricanes stand at 2-0 and at the number nine spot at the moment.

When his team was down against the Seminoles in the closing minutes, there was never a moment of panic on the face of Harris. In a span of three minutes, Harris marched his team 59-yards down field, while only having to face one third-down on the six-play drive.

Even with his team on the brink of blowing all Harris had worked for, he stood composed, arms folded, and stone faced, one which could bluff even the greatest poker players.

Eventually, the defense held up and Harris walked away with a win to start off the season.

Since then, the look on Harris's face hasn't changed.

The home opener against Georgia Tech was a test against the team's running defense, which had stopped the Seminoles defense the week before and now had a true test against Tech's triple option.

Give the 'Canes defensive line a gold star.

A year after surrendering 472 yards, Miami only allowed 95 yards, including limiting "ACC Player-of-the-Year" Jonathan Dwyer to seven yards.

Harris did the rest leading his team to a 17-3 halftime lead that the Jackets never came close to threatening.

Georgia Tech was stifled by the 'Canes defense and blown up for a number of big plays by Harris, including a 40-yard opening strike to Laron Byrd to open up the game. He finished with 270 yards and three touchdowns, while completing a ridiculous 20 of 25 passes.

Not only Harris, but the coaching staff has excelled on each side of the ball with much credit going to head coach Randy Shannon and new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple.

Like Harris, Shannon stays cool under pressure and made the right play calls to get the job done.

Whipple has been putting opposing defenses in a tizzy with the possibility of either having to defend a breakout run, a screen pass, or possibly a deep pass that somehow always finds it's ways in the hands of a Hurricane receiver.

The first two games of the season were tests, the next two are statements.

The 'Canes get it's biggest match up of the season when it goes to Blacksburg this Saturday to face Virginia Tech.

Miami and Virginia Tech have had a number of memorable matchups, from the 2001 affair where Miami preserved it's undefeated season with a 26-24 victory, and the year after with a 56-45 shootout.

Over the past few seasons, the Hokies have taken charge of the rivalry and have taken advantage of the 'Canes numerous weaknesses.

That could all end this year when the new look 'Canes take their amped offense and stifling defense to a Virginia Tech team that has encountered a number of tests already as well, including a season opening loss to Alabama and then a last minute comeback against Nebraska at home.

Standing at 2-1, the Hokies could be the only legitimate team to challenge the Hurricanes for the ACC title.

Following the Hokies, the 'Canes get their last threat for awhile when it take's on a Sam Bradford-less Oklahoma Sooners team at Landshark Stadium.

The Sooners lost their opening game to the BYU Cougars, as well as their Heisman quarterback. Despite the loss of Bradford, the Sooners have outscored their opponents in the past two games by a score of 109-0.

Even though they were against teams like the Idaho State Bengals and Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, shutting out two teams in a row while averaging over 50 points a game is still something to be worried about.

All four teams that the 'Canes have faced and are planning to face have been ranked in the top 20 since the season started and unexpectedly, Miami has downed it's first two opponents in fantastic fashion.

This leaves a question for the team:  Can they run the table and possibly make it to the BCS championship game?

The answers to both of those are an absolute yes.

The 'Canes get the brunt of their schedule in the first four games and has passed it's first two tests with flying colors. If Miami can pull out a win against Virginia Tech and then come home and win against Oklahoma, it can easily have an undefeated season.

Following the showdown with the Sooners, Miami faces home games against Florida A&M, a 2-1 Clemson team that lost a close one to Georgia Tech, a Virginia team that might not win a game, and a Duke team that could care less when it comes to football.

On the road, Miami faces a 2-1 Central Florida team, a Wake Forest team that has yet to face a bowl caliber team, and then potential upsets against North Carolina and South Florida.

North Carolina has upset Miami over the past few seasons in a number of down to the wire games with the Tar Heels coming out on top every time.

The Bulls of South Florida are only one year removed from being ranked number two and could still surprise a team like the 'Canes late in the season.

The Bulls are 3-0 at the moment with all three wins against bottom of the barrel teams.

Miami could run the table; it just needs to stay cool, calm, collected and have faith in their quarterback.

They are only eight years removed from its late championship.

With Jacory Harris at the helm, we could see the Hurricanes of old have a new lease on life.