Miami still is awaiting word from the NCAA on its fate upon the conclusion of the investigation of the program into issues of illegal benefits going back a year ago.
The Hurricanes are hopeful the steps they took in 2011 — the suspension of several of its players, the passing up of a bowl appearance — will help mitigate any penalties.
Until that word comes, however, the Hurricanes will go about rebuilding a program that once dominated college football, playing in major bowls, winning five national titles over an 18-year period, and sending record numbers of players into the NFL draft.
It’s going to take a while. The 2012 team is seen as no better than fifth, not in the country or even in its conference, but in its half of that conference. That’s the spot Media voters tabbed the Hurricanes to finish in the ACC’s Coastal Division, ahead of only perennial cellar-dweller Duke.
The reasons:
–The Hurricanes are one of only two teams in the ACC without a returning starter at quarterback. (Maryland is the other.) Junior Stephen Morris, who missed the spring recovering from back surgery, and sophomore Ryan Williams, a transfer from Memphis, will compete for the job.
–The wide receiver corps is thin with only one returnee at the position (junior Alan Hurns) with more than 14 receptions.
–RB Lamar Miller took his 1,272 rushing yard off to the NFL, putting the rushing load on senior Mike James (275), sophomore Eduardo Clements (82) and newcomer Duke Johnson.
–The defense was only average against the run, giving up just under 162 yards a game rushing, and had only six interceptions, half of them by players no longer on the team.
Finally, there is the schedule. The Hurricanes play three of their first four games on the road (Boston College, Kansas State, and Georgia Tech) and in their sixth outing play Notre Dame in Chicago.
The one break they get is that both conference division favorites Florida State and Virginia Tech both most come to Miami.
At one time, that might have been seen as a huge factor. But now the question is whether the Hurricanes will be in a position to take advantage of such a break.