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Preview: 2008 Miami Hurricanes

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 3, 2008

For the Miami Hurricanes, the future isn't now. There are scores of question marks - and many of the answers will be provided by freshmen. Fans may be impatient following last season's 5-7 mark, but it will take some time for UM to recapture its status as a championship program.

Here's a closer look at Miami football heading into the 2008 season:

Q&A WITH MIAMI COACH RANDY SHANNON

How important was it to get so many freshmen enrolled early and participating in spring ball?

I think those guys will be able to contribute right away. They've already brought something to the team. We've developed depth. They're not really true freshmen now, more like redshirt freshmen.

What's the attitude of the program as you try to build it back?

Nobody in the program wants to go 5-7. We're getting guys in here with a winning attitude and recruiting guys from winning programs. Our staff is energetic and highly motivated. The sense of urgency will come back.

What did you learn from your first season as head coach?

Basically, you always have to expect the unexpected. Sometimes as coaches, you look at the top 22 guys in the team, but there are always injuries and changes. You've got to evaluate the whole picture and not just one picture. I learned a lot and it will help me and this team next season.

MIAMI SCHEDULE

PREDICTING THE ACC COASTAL

NEW DIGS: Will UM's big-game aura wane after ditching the antiquated Orange Bowl for the more plush (and more profitable) Dolphin Stadium?

TOUGH START: The Hurricanes could easily be looking at a 1-4 start. There are rugged trips to Florida and Texas A&M. Then there are ACC home games against North Carolina and Florida State.

INEXPERIENCED QB: For the first time since 1983, UM will open its season with a quarterback who has never taken a college snap. The starter figures to be Tampa's Robert Marve, a redshirt freshman. Safety net? None available. The other two would-be QBs are true freshmen - Jacory Harris and Cannon Smith.

HOT SEAT: The Hurricanes must show improvement or the temperature will be stifling for Coach Randy Shannon. Last season was horrid - 5-7, no bowl and a 48-0 loss to Virginia in UM's Orange Bowl finale. Long-term hopes are largely pinned on a 33-player recruiting class that was ranked No. 1 nationally by ESPN.com.

BORN TO RUN: UM's offense, particularly in the early season, will need big performances from running backs Graig Cooper (682 yards) and Javarris James (582).

KEY NUMBER

1

Defensive touchdowns scored last season by UM. In the program's recent prime seasons (2000-04), the Hurricanes had 48 touchdowns on defense and special teams.

SPRING HIGHLIGHT

Eight UM freshmen enrolled in January and participated in spring practice. Linebackers Arthur Brown and Sean Spence performed like veterans - and don't be shocked if they are starters when Charleston Southern visits UM on Aug. 28.

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