Miami Hurricanes 2010 Review

2010 Record: 7-6 (5-3), 2nd ACC Coastal
2010 Bowl Game: Sun Bowl, Lost to Notre Dame 33-17
2010 Schedule/Results
Florida A&M, W 45-0
@ Ohio State, L 36-24
@ Pittsburgh, W 31-3
@ Clemson, W 30-21
Florida State, L 45-17
@ Duke, W 28-13
North Carolina, W 33-10
@ Virginia, L 24-19
Maryland, W  26-20
@ Georgia Tech, W 35-10
Virginia Tech, L, 31-17
South Florida, L 23-20
Notre Dame, L 33-17

OFFENSE
422.6 yards per game

The QB situation is as unstable as it has ever been at Miami. Jacory Harris was supposed to be the chosen one for the Hurricanes, however, he had effectively lost the job to freshman Stephen Morris by the end of the season. Neither guy did a great job at all, as Harris tossed 15 picks to just 14 TD passes, while Morris tossed 9 more picks with only 7 TD passes. That is unsustainable for success in the big picture. The oonly other option is Spencer Whipple, but he tossed yet 2 more picks against 0 TD passes. Seems that Miami QBs are color blind, as they keep on passing to the wrong side. Let's not forget about Alonzo Highsmith, who also managed to toss a pick without a score. Miami did get a boost today when it was announced that former Michigan QB Tate Forcier will be transferring to Miami, and will be eligible in 2012. Now let's just hope that he goes to class.
Damien Berry was the defacto leader of the running back corps in 2010. He rushed for 899 yards and 5 TDs on the season. Berry was just one back in a three headed semi-monster, as he was joined by Lamar Miller's 646 yards and Mike James' 398 yards and 3 scores. Berry will not be returning in 2011, but Miller and James will join forces once again.
Boy, what new Head Coach Al Golden wouldn't give to have WR Leonard Hankerson back for another season. Hankerson was one of the best receivers in the country, as he grabbed 72 passes for 1156 yards and 13 scores on the season. He moves on to the NFL now, but Travis Benjamin (43-743-3) returns as does LaRon Landry (41-441-1). Aldarius Johnson returns as the third receiver. Asante Cleveland returns as the TE, but until now, the offensive scheme doesn't exactly feature the TE. Phillip Dorsett and Rashawn Scott (both 3 stars) will both enter the rotation next season.
The Canes will not lose much on the offensive line in 2011, as they lose only tackle Orlando Franklin. Everyone else is back. Ben Jones and Jermaine Johnson will both return to compete for the open spot. Only two of the returnees will be seniors next season (Center Tyler Horn and OG Harland Gunn).

DEFENSE
317.2 yards per game allowed

6 different linemen had 5 TFLs or more in 2010, led by Marcus Folston, Allen Bailey, and Olivier Vernon, all of whom finished in double digits. As a matter of fact, all three combined for 33.5 TFLs this season. Bailey is the only one who graduates, as wll DT Josh Holmes, but he was not one of the leaders. There is a ton of productivity coming back on this line. Add to that fact that the top two stars of the limited recruiting class will also be DEs in Anthony Chickillo and Jalen Grimble.
The LB group is loaded as well, with Sen Spence having finished the season with 17 TFLs. Colin McCarthy had 10 TFLs, but is gone. McCarthy had 119 tackles on the season overall, and Spence added 111. Ramon Buchannon will return after a 55 tackle season. He will have to amp himself up next season tomatch the work of McCarthy. Kelvin Cain looks to be the front runner to replace McCarthy, but he will only be a sophomore, and was limited to making 12 tackles in 2010. 4 new LBs join the group from the recruiting class, but none rated abovce a 3 star.
Brandon Harris broke up 10 passes and recorded 44 tackles, and is going to parlay that into an NFL career. His overall game isn't exactly up to par on what I think an NFL DB is, but good luck. Ryan Hill broke up 8 passes and picked up 51 tackles. He is also gone. Ray-Ray Armstrong and Vaughn Telemaque were the better playmakers, and they'll return as juniors in 2011. Brandon McGee will get a shot at replacing one of the corners, but the other spot should be completely up for grabs in the spring. The Hurricanes were only able to grab a pair of 3 star DBs in the recruiting process.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Matt Bosher hit on 13 of 17 FGs in 2010, hardly numbers to jump around about, and he also missed 3 PATs on the year. He moves along now, so Miami will be looking for a replacement that will be a bit more dependable. Incoming freshman Dalton Botts will compete with junior to be Jake Wieclaw for the job.
Bosher was a much better punter, as he averaged 44.02 yards per punt on the season. Wieclaw is the leader for the job heading into the spring.
Lamar Miller averaged a seriously sound 26.75 average on kick returns in 2010, and in the process managed to take a kick back to the house. He returns for more of the same in 2011.
Travis Benjamin was not as impressive returning punts, but even he caught a break and took one back for a score. He will return as well.

FINAL NOTES

The Hurricanes did not produce nearly as expected, and after a couple of disappointing seasons, the administration felt it was the right time to say goodbye to Randy Shannon. Enter Al Golden, the Philadelphia darling who brought Temple back from the graveyard. Golden was widely believed to be the eventual replacement for Joe Paterno at Penn State and he still may very well be. The Hurricanes should be a disciplined team inder the no nonsense Golden, but then again, that was never a problem under Shannon. Shannon did a lot to clean up the program, and Golden should continue that process. Wins, however, must come soon. The ACC is winnable, and there will never be a better time to stake a dominant claim, and in that, the Hurricanes have failed miserably.

2011 NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
9/17 Ohio State, 9/24 Kansas State, 10/1 Bethune-Cookman, 11/26 @ South Florida