‘Canes Need Swagger Now More Than Ever

Anyone who watches old cowboy movies knows that there is a certain way a tough guy is supposed to enter a saloon. The tough guy must stroll through the swinging-double doors oozing arrogance, take a glance or two around the bar to see who else is around, and exude enough confidence to scare all of the other tough guys in the saloon.

For the better part of the last two decades, the Miami Hurricanes have been the toughest guy on the college football block. They collected four national championships as an independent, dominated the Big East since it's inception, and added another national title in 2001, all while cranking out four or five (and last year six) first-round draft picks a year.

But, as they are set to debut in the new-look ACC against archrival Florida State on Labor Day Weekend, the Hurricanes are facing more questions then they have since their brief period of probation in the mid-'90s.

Will the 'Canes be able to swagger on defense as they try to replace seven starters (including six of the back seven)? Will the 'Canes be able to swagger on offense led by a quarterback who inspires infinitely more doubt than confidence? Most importantly, will the 'Canes be able to swagger into the toughest conference in the nation after a decade of beating up on the Big (L)East?

The 'Canes' defense, while returning only four starters, is definitely more solid than their offense. While they do not possess as many defensive playmakers as they have generally had during the Larry Coker years, they do have athletes all over the field. Plus, Miami has two cornerbacks (All-American Antrel Rolle and Kelly Jennings) whose coverage skills should allow the Hurricane defense to play an attacking, blitzing style. While not as loaded as it has been in the past, the Hurricane defense should continue to contain all but the most potent offenses.

Speaking of potent offenses, Miami sure seems like it should have one. They have an embarrassment of athletic riches at the receiver position. They have a tremendous offensive line that features potential stars in T Eric Winston, G Chris Myers, and C Joel Rodriguez. Plus, even with the future of Frank Gore in doubt, their backfield features big-time talent in Tyrone Moss and Quadtrine Hill. Unfortunately, "Quarterback U." is without a quarterback.

To measure just how little confidence Miami coaches had in QB's Brock Berlin and Derrick Crudup, one only has to look at how conservative the Hurricanes game plan was over the latter half of the 2003 season. Seemingly throwing only in third-and-long situations, the 'Canes were content to hammer their talented stable of backs behind their top-notch line and hope for the best. If they are going to beat the Florida States and Virginias of the country (as opposed to the Rutgers and Temples), however, the offense will have to do more.

Miami will have to find some quarterback (perhaps last year's super-recruit, Kyle Wright?) that can distribute the ball to their athletic receivers and put said receivers in the position to make plays. Without a healthy Gore, the running game alone will not be able to carry Miami. Especially against the schedule it now enjoys.

For over a decade, Miami has been able to play in the weakest BCS conference in the country. Now, as they and Virginia Tech jump to the ACC, they will be competing in the best. Their sheer athleticism was enough to overwhelm most Big East opponents. But, there are at least four ACC schools that can legitimately claim to have as much talent, on paper, as Miami this year. Shaky quarterback play, lack of depth in the secondary, or any other problem that develops this season will definitely be exposed by the 'Canes' tough schedule.

With all of these questions facing the Miami Hurricanes as they enter the 2004 season, they need their swagger more than ever. They have to go into their new conference expecting to dominate it the same way they did the old one. For, even though this team has questions, it also possesses the potential answers to said questions. If a quarterback can emerge and the secondary and linebacking cores can mature quickly, there is no reason to believe Miami cannot win the ACC, and national, title. It just feels weird to be asking so many questions about the Miami Hurricanes.