Miami enters the 2013-2014 season with one of the most explosive offenses in college football behind quarterback Stephen Morris, who threw for 3,345 yards (58.2%; 21-7 ratio) last year. Morris is accompanied in the backfield by sensational running back Duke Johnson, who set a freshman record last season with 947 rushing yards (6.8 ypc). Both Morris and Johnson are aided by one of the best offensive lines in the country as every starter from last year’s squad returns (93 total career starts). Head coach Al Golden has his best team yet as the Hurricanes have 18 returning starters, including ten on the offensive side of the ball. With excellent special teams and a vastly improved defense (elite linebacking corp.), look for the Hurricanes to secure at least ten wins this season.
MIAMI HURRICANES (Position-by-Position Analysis)
Quarterbacks – starter S.Morris (3,345,58.2%,21-7) & backup return; add 3 tFr
Morris (set schl record for total yds LY) looks like one of ACC’s best
Running Backs – top RB D.Johnson returns (set frosh frecord LY, 947, 6.8 ypc); #2 RB gone
Johnson S/B 1,000 yd rusher & one of NCAA’s premier RBs TY
Receivers – return top 3 recvrs (lose next 2) from LY’s inj unit; looks like one of ACC’s top receiving corps
Offensive Line – all strtrs return (93 car sts); lose 2 b/u’s; LY 145 ypg, 4.7 ypc, only 18 sks
one of NCAA’s top O-lines
Defensive Line – lose only 1 strtr from LY’s underachieving unit (218 ypg, 5.0 ypc, 13 sks)
most exper DL in last 3 yrs
Linebackers – lose 2 strtrs & ’11 strtr from inj-plagued unit (worst ever stats at 30.5 ppg LY)
return #2, 5, 9 & 12 tklrs but do lose #3 & 4 tklrs
Defensive Backs – LY inj/susp hurt unit & ranked #57; lose 1-1/2 strtrs (top CB to NFL); easily will have its best finish TY since ’10 (ranked #8)
Special Teams – KR D.Johnson (#1 RB) was ST star; unit finished #17; lose K & P but add 2nd Tm BEast P.O’Donnell, Cincy transfer; project a top 35 finish
Coaches – HC A.Golden enters 3rd yr (prev Temple HC, VA DC); new OC J.Coley was FL St OC last 3 yrs (did not call plays); DC M.D’Onofrio returns (long time associate of HC Golden)
Overall Offensive ACC projections – #4 rush ypg, #4 pass ypg, #3 ppg
- 10 starters return
Overall Defensive ACC projections – #12 rush ypg, #5 pass ypg, #6 ppg
- 8 starters return Rank (Diff)
Experience Rank – 11 (of all NCAA FBS tms)
- vastly improved tm, w/potent Off & much improved Def
- 18 returning strtrs
Team Positive/Negative Factors -Impact for 2012
Net Turnovers – +7 in net turnovers last season
Schedule – 60th hardest (#17 LY)
Coach Change – new Offensive coordinator
