Miami Football: 10 New Year's Resolutions for the Hurricanes.

With the 2011 season behind the Miami Hurricanes, there are plenty things that I would love to see happen in the new year.

I would love to see the offensive line work together, unlike last year when they struggled opening holes for one of the best running backs in the country.

It would be great for a Hurricane to win a Heisman, but with Lamar Miller leaving early, Miami doesn't have anyone to fit the bill.

There are a lot of things I wish the Hurricanes will accomplish next year, but here are my top 10.

No. 10: No One Else Leaves Miami Early

It happens every year in Miami. The Hurricanes have superb talent, only to lose them after a couple years to the NFL.

It happened again this year as Lamar Miller, Marcus Forston, Olivier Vernon, Tommy Streeter and Brandon Washington all decided to leave early.

None of them, with the exception of Miller, seem to be ready for the NFL.

In fact, Forston, Vernon and Washington never even played a full season due to suspensions and injuries.

Miami can not afford to lose any more before the season begins.

No. 9: The Hurricanes Don't Lose Any More Recruits

Although the Hurricanes have 28 current players that have verbally committed to Miami, that doesn't really mean anything until they sign the letter of intent.

So a lot can happen before National Signing Day.

Miami has already lost a few players that verbally committed last year, and there are plenty more that may not sign due to possible infractions that Miami may face once the NCAA comes to a decision.

There is plenty talent wanting to play for the Hurricanes next year; now Al Golden and his staff need to make sure they don't change their minds.

No. 8: Miami Wins More Than 10 Games

The last time the Hurricanes won 10 games, Larry Coker was the head coach and Brock Berlin was the starting quarterback.

The team consisted of Devin Hester, Kellen Winslow, Roscoe Parish, Frank Gore, Jonathan Vilma, Vince Wilfork, etc.

It has been a very long eight years.

If Miami can stay healthy and get consistent quarterback play next year, it has a shot at that magical 10-win season.

No. 7: Miami Wins a Bowl Game

The Hurricanes winning a bowl game may sound like it has happened not to long ago, but in reality Miami hasn't won a bowl game since 2006.

Since 2006, Miami has missed two bowl games (2011 season it chose not too accept bid), lost to Cal, Wisconsin and Notre Dame.

It is a far cry from the teams of the 80's and 90's that went to 13 straight bowl games, winning national championships in four of them.

It would be great if Miami can finally get back into the win column next year at a bowl game, if it's eligible for one.

No. 6: Stephen Morris Steps Up

With Jacory Harris graduating from Miami, a lot of pressure will most likely be put on the shoulders of junior Stephen Morris.

Morris, who got five starts as a true freshman, will now be in position to take over as the leader of the Hurricanes.

He will be most likely competing with Memphis transfer Ryan Williams.

I really believe that Morris has the ability to lead this Hurricane team if he can get the chance to prove himself.

Although in Morris' only start last year, he threw for only 195 yards and two interceptions, it wasn't a fair opportunity as Miami had over 15 players, most of them starters, out of the game.

Morris does need to cut back on his interceptions (11 in 11 games he has played in), but again, those numbers are inflated by being thrown into a lackluster offense at the age of 18.

If Morris can have the production that Harris had last year, Miami will definitely contend for the ACC crown.

No. 5: Miami Wins the ACC

I know Miami winning the ACC is laughable to most of you college football fans out there, but this is my resolution.

The Hurricanes do have some great talent coming back, and if they can get good production out of the quarterback position, there is nothing stopping them from competing for the conference title.

Yes, the defense did struggle at times last year, but Miami rotated over 25 players, meaning that many of those younger players from last year's squad will already have a lot of experience.

If they can be careful with the ball and do not miss as many tackles as they did last year, the sky is the limit for these young Hurricanes.

No. 4: The Offense Goes Back to Their High Scoring Ways

During the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons, the Miami Hurricanes averaged over 40 points per game while most of the touchdown drives were completed in under two minutes.

These days the Hurricanes are lucky to score 25 points per game.

I fully understand that Miami doesn't have the athletes it once had, but with Al Golden and his new staff, Miami is well on its way to getting those type of athletes back.

I love with Jed Fisch is doing with the offense, and once it gets comfortable with the offense and brings in better talent, I see Miami getting into the 30's again.

I just hope it's next year.

No. 3: The Defense Plays Much Better Than Last Year

The Hurricanes defense was at times horrific. Most of them couldn't tackle, and they weren't able to control the other teams passing game.

The upcoming year brings higher hopes, even with the loss of Sean Spence, Marcus Forston and Olivier Vernon, Miami will return a lot of players that saw a lot of playing time last season.

If Miami wants to head to a bowl game, or make any of my other new year's resolutions come true, the defensive unit must improve and I believe they will.

No. 2: The NCAA Sanctions Are Minimal

What happens next season will be solely rest on what the final result is from the NCAA investigation regarding ex-booster Nevin Shapiro.

The players that are currently on the Hurricanes roster have already took their suspensions earlier this year.

Miami also declined a bowl bid it qualified for this year to show good faith to the NCAA for the problems it caused.

Now if Miami ends up with a harsher penalty than expected, there could be a lot of other issues that will happen.

Miami could lose multiple recruits, bowl games and even television exposure if the NCAA decides to hit the program hard.

My resolution is the NCAA takes a handful of scholarships at worst and a one-year bowl ban, which is already served.

No. 1: Miami Wins the National Championship

I know that you think I am crazy for even mentioning a national championship, but whats a new year's resolution without aiming high?

I will agree that the Hurricanes may not have the type of athletes that can make them national champions, but did anyone really think the Auburn Tigers would win it back in 2010?

Auburn went into the season unranked, and it ended up winning the whole thing.

Miami has just as much as a chance as anyone else does, thus Miami winning the national championship would be my No. 1 new year's resolution.