Miami Football: News, Notes and Analysis Heading into the Maryland Game

The Hurricanes and the Terrapins will end the first week of the college football season Monday night.

In last year's game, Stephen Morris was given the opportunity to start for the ailing Jacory Harris and successfully beat the Maryland Terrapins.

Miami almost doubled Maryland in total yards, 504-254, but two interceptions thrown by Morris killed some of the momentum.

Here is the latest news on tonight's game against the Hurricanes.

Nine Suspended for the Season Opener

I am not going to get into the details, by now, everyone is sick of hearing about it.

When Miami hits the field against Maryland they will be without Ray Ray Armstrong, Sean Spence, Jacory Harris, Dyron Dye, Marcus Forston, Olivier Vernon, Travis Benjamin, Aldarious Johnson, and Adewale Ojomo.

All of them but Vernon, Armstrong, and Dye will be back on September 17 when the Hurricanes play the  Buckeyes.

Armstrong and Dye will be out four games, while Vernon must sit out six.

Aldarious Johnson has been suspended indefinitely by head coach Al Golden.  Johnson was not part of the allegations.

Cornerbacks Need to Be Ready

The Hurricanes already had huge question marks at cornerback before the season even began.  They lost two starters and their primary backup from last years team.

It was such a concern coach Al Golden and his staff moved a backup running back, Lee Chambers, and starting safety, JoJo Nicholas, to the cornerback position.

With the suspension of Ray Ray Armstrong though, it forced Golden to move Nicholas back to safety most likely until week five, when Armstrong can play again.

Brandon McGee, the only player on the roster with real college experience at corner, will be filling in for Nicholas.

Roster Is Set

The roster was finally set on Tuesday after the suspended players were released.

The offense, minus Travis Benjamin, is still in contact, but the defense is a totally different story especially with the loss of Ray Ray Armstrong and Sean Spence.

See the depth chart here.

How Will Al Golden Handle the Big Time?

Although Miami hasn't won a national championship since 2001, they are still one of the most iconic teams in college football.

Al Golden was given the opportunity earlier this year to bring Miami back to relevance after a stint at Temple.

He turned around a horrible Temple team to a bowl team in just four years.

Now, instead of a local broadcast, Golden will be on a national broadcast in a major conference in front of millions on Labor Day.

The real questions start tonight, against a very good Maryland team, with seven of your starters in street clothes.

Good luck coach Golden.

Freshmen Will Need to Step Up Immediatly

Out of all the incoming freshmen, there were probably only one or two that were going to get serious playing time this year.

With the suspended players and question marks at a few positions, things have changed.

Now instead of just a couple freshmen seeing some major time on the field, the latest depth chart has a total of ten, all second string.

With a heavy rotation on defense, you will see plenty of Miami's future on a the field against Maryland.

Will Jake Wieclaw Be Able to Fill Matt Boshers Shoes?

Jake Wieclaw has kicked the ball just one time for the Miami Hurricanes, a kickoff against the Florida A&M.

Now, a junior, he must fill the shoes of one of the best kickers in Hurricanes history, Matt Bosher.

Bosher kicked and punted last year, but transfer, Dalton Botts, has been listed as the starting punter.

If Miami is unable to score touchdowns like last year, Wieclaw will be as important as any other player on the team.

Let's just hope Wieclaw doesn't have to make the tackles Bosher had to make last year on the kickoff team.

Maryland Better Be Ready for Huge Dose of "Dash" and "Smash"

There is no hiding on what Miami plans on doing against Maryland on Monday night, run the ball.

The self proclaimed "Dash" (Lamar Miller) and "Smash" (Mike James) are going to be a handful for any team this year.

Maryland found out first hand last year when Miller and James combined for 176 yards and two touchdowns.

This year, with a better offensive linemen, expect the Hurricanes to run the ball all game long.

The weather will also have a say in Miami's rush attack as according to weather.com, there is a 100% chance of rain for Monday's game.