Miami Hurricane Football: 11 Dream Scenarios for 2011

For having several players transferring, a new coaching staff and a massive question mark at quarterback, you would figure that this would be a rebuilding year for the Hurricanes.

According to many publications, it really isn't a rebuilding year, as Miami has been ranked as high as 19.

In order for Miami to earn that ranking, there are many things that need to happen.

Here is the list of my dream scenario for the 2011 Hurricanes.

No. 11: Al Golden Walks the Walk

Everyone already knows that new head coach Al Golden can talk a pretty smooth game.

In just a couple months, he will need to back it up.

In the last 38 years, no other team in the country has won as many national championships as the Hurricanes.

Golden has preached to everyone that he is here to win, he is here to bring back Miami's swagger.

After last year's loss to Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl, he said the first thing the players need is an attitude adjustment.

We will see if he actually made these changes come September 5th, when they visit a very good Maryland team.

No. 10: Ray Ray Armstrong Has His Breakout Season

Ray Ray Armstrong is only a junior, yet ESPN believes he will be a first-round draft pick next year.

He does have the size and talent to become another great Miami safety, but he will need to prove his progress on the field.

Although he was third on the team in tackles last year, Armstrong always was going for the monster hit and ended up missing several tackles.

It was the same problem Sean Taylor had during his sophomore campaign, but by the time his junior year was over, everyone in the country knew who he was.

Armstrong can do the same thing this year and I truly believe he will.

With the right coaching in place and a new attitude instilled on him, Armstrong has every chance to be the second coming of No. 26.

No. 9: Jake Wieclaw Steps in Nicely for Matt Bosher

There is a big question mark on the special teams right now, as kicker/punter Matt Bosher went into the NFL this year.

According to Coach Golden, Jake Wieclaw will pull double duty just like Bosher did.

Special teams are so important in football as it depicts field position for opposing teams.

Wieclaw has never kicked in a game in college, although many players and coaches have said he has a great leg.

When it comes down to it though, I am more worried about his mental state and inexperience at the college level.

Only time will tell.

No. 8: The Offensive Line Is as Good as It Should Be

One of the strongest positions on the team maybe the offensive linemen as they are only missing one starter from last years team,  Orlando Franklin.

The five starters this year, Seantrel Henderson, Harland Gunn, Tyler Horn, Brandon Washington and Jermaine Johnson, might be the best collection Miami has had since 2001.

All but Johnson have gotten early recognition on multiple publications for preseason All-ACC and All-American teams.

Henderson made one of the famous All-American lists, as he was nominated as one of 26 players that made the Playboy All-American team.

If they play to their ability and don't have any crucial injuries, they could be the offensive line in the ACC, if not the country.

No. 7: Someone Steps Up as Third Receiver

In my eyes, Travis Benjamin and LaRon Byrd have the No. 1 and No. 2 positions filled.

The problem is the third receiver.

The next player with any experience is Aldarius Johnson, but after a successful freshman year, he has been less then stellar.

Tommy Streeter was the suppose to be the next great wideout for the Hurricanes, but he too hasn't panned out only catching one ball last year.

The rest of the Hurricane receivers have a combined 17 catches in their careers.

Out of all the receivers on the roster, I believe Streeter, Johnson, Allen Hurns or Kendal Thompkins will be given the best opportunity to take over the three spot.

If not, it will be another long season throwing the ball.

No. 6: Lamar Miller Breaks Miami's All-Time Rushing Record

Lamar Miller is Miami's golden boy right now and deservedly so after seeing glimpses of him last year as a redshirt freshman.

Then during the spring, he cemented his legacy rushing for 166 yards on just 10 carries and scoring three touchdowns.

Now he will have an opportunity to do even more things this year, especially with the offense running a lot more.

The individual season rushing record at Miami is 1,753 yard by Willis McGahee, and if Miami is capable of running it like everyone believes they are, it's a possibility that Miller breaks it.

I will say right now that if he does break the record, the Hurricanes will end up with at least a 10-2 record.

No. 5: Thomas Finnie Immediatly Helps at Cornerback

If there were any question marks on defense for the Hurricanes, it would be at cornerback, considering they do not return one starter.

In fact, it was so depleted Golden moved a safety and a running back to fill the depth chart.

Luckily for the Hurricanes, Thomas Finnie decided to play for Miami instead of South Carolina as he originally said.

Finnie is a legitimate speedster with great quickness, and this spring, he showed that he can end up being the next Brandon Harris.

As the depth chart stands right now, Finnie is listed as a backup corner, but I believe that during the season he will end up taking one of the starting positions.

He has 4.4 speed, good size and really understands what it takes to be a winner.

No. 4: Miami Finds Depth at Linebacker

The Miami Hurricanes have great starting linebackers, make no mistake.

Problem is that there is no depth whatsoever at the position with the graduating of Colin McCarthy and the transfers of Travis Williams and Kevin Nelson.

It may not be that big of a deal considering they already have two outstanding linebackers in Sean Spence and Ramon Buchanan.

The problem is the third position is still a question mark as both James Gaines and Jordan Futch are still battling it out.

After that, it's a toss up at who will fill in as backups.

There are freshmen, Gionni Paul, Denzel Perryman, Antonio Kinard and Eddie Johnson that will be on the roster, but they have yet to play even one scrimmage yet.

All the above freshmen are great linebackers, but I truly believe Paul will give the Hurricanes much needed depth at linebacker. (Watch the above video, simply amazing)

His physical abilities are outstanding, he just needs to catch up with college speed.

No. 3: Beat Florida State

Of course, winning every game is a must to really compete for a national championship, but beating Florida State in the year they are suppose to dominate, would be sweet as well.

Miami owes it to FSU, especially after last year's humiliating 45-17 loss at home.

This year, Miami travels to Tallahassee, and watching the Hurricanes wipe the floor with the Seminoles would be dream scenario for sure.

No. 2: Miami Wins the ACC

The ultimate dream scenario for the Hurricanes would to win the national championship, but let's be a little realistic, there are a lot of questions marks on the team.

The more likely scenario would be for Miami to end up the Coastal division champions and take on Florida State for the ACC Championship.

The schedule is brutal for Miami as they visit Maryland, FSU, Virginia Tech and at home against the No. 9 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

If Miami can get out of the ACC with a record of 6-2 or 7-1, they should get their shot at the ACC title.

In a dream scenario that is.

No. 1: Stephen Morris or Jacory Harris Have a Great Season

Obviously, the biggest question mark is at quarterback, as both Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris fight it out for the starting position.

Neither of them looked overly impressive this spring as each of them threw two interceptions in the spring game.

This summer and fall will decide who takes the reigns when the season begins.

I believe one of them will.

The Hurricanes can definitely not afford to use both of them in a two quarterback system, that would just be a recipe for disaster.

Either Morris or Harris will step in up this fall and put the Hurricanes on their backs.

The real question is which one will be able to do it?