2007 Miami Hurricanes College Football Picks & Predictions
June 5, 2008
New head coach Randy Shannon has his hands full as he tries to instill pride back into the U. He didn’t allow quarterbacks Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman to be interviewed in the spring because he felt that their race for the starting job could hurt team chemistry if they comment about it. Whatever works I guess. Shannon said he wasn’t selecting a starter until the Tuesday before the season opener against Marshall. Somehow this is highly doubtful, but if it keeps media attention away from Shannon than his strategy shall work. Whoever wins the position must put up more points than the 18.4 Miami averaged against Division I-A foes last season.
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Miami has the makings of a good 1-2 punch in the backfield in sophomore Javarris James and freshman Graig Cooper, who spent a year in prep school. The Hurricanes need a couple receivers to fill their positions like former Hurricane greats in Michael Irvin and Santana Moss. Miami is known for their threats at this position, but the production has been lacking mightily in recent seasons. Wide Receiver Lance Leggett needs to make another 23-catch improvement and that would be a good start. Fortunately experience on offense won’t be a problem. Miami has nine players on this side of the ball that have started at least seven games and 12 who have started at least three for the Canes.
The defense will have to lead the Hurricanes like they did last year, again in 2007. Junior end Calais Campbell is Lindy’s preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Junior safety Kenny Phillips is the nation’s top-ranked safety. Campbell is an athlete, physically imposing his will on offensive linemen with 10.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles as a sophomore. Junior end Eric Moncur made starts early last year before suffering a knee injury. He is back this season along with senior Teraz McCray and Antonio Dixon on the inside.
Senior Glenn Cook is Miami’s motor in the middle at linebacker. Sophomore Darryl Sharpton is really pushing him though and could step forward after battling injuries. The Hurricans have four players in the secondary who have started at least nine games. Phillips and Lovon Ponder are at safety, along with Glenn Sharpe and Randy Phillips at corner. This unit will have to lead Miami football. Miami has to improve on takeaways. The Canes forced just 21 turnovers, and only one of those was converted into a touchdown.
Defense wins championships and Miami has a national championship-caliber defense. But they have an average-at-best ACC offense. We will likely see the same types of struggles from the 2006 season where Miami just doesn’t put up enough points to win consistently. Miami had eight games decided by a touchdown or less, with success or failure hanging on the balance of a couple plays. If they can get more big plays at crucial times in ball games, it will be a successful 2007 season under new head coach Randy Shannon.
