3 Keys...

...if the Miami Hurricanes want to go 8-4 this year:

1. Find a Quarterback...any Quarterback. In spite of a poisonous locker room and an almost complete lack of effort for most of the season, the Canes would have won 7-8 regular season games last year (instead of five) if either Kyle Wright or Kirby Freeman had been even passable behind center. The Georgia Tech game would have been a win. Miami would have completed a monumental comeback in Chapel Hill. The most obvious case, of course, was the overtime loss to a terrible NC State team in the Orange Bowl. Had ANYONE completed more than ONE pass, the Canes would have put the Pack away. Look for Shannon to go with the hot hand this year. In spite of a complete lack of experience at the position, expect the QBs to perform better than last year - simply because Coach Shannon has more options.

2. BLITZ!!! Miami built its reputation in the 1980s and early 1990s on the backs of tough, aggressive defenses. Miami's defensive coaches became quite passive over the past few years - content to "out-talent" the other team's offense. As other teams caught up, however, rushing four and dropping everyone else into coverage was no longer sufficient (see last year's UVA game). Look for Bill Young, the new Defensive Coordinator, to mix things up a bit and bring pressure from more places than just the front four.

3. Don't get down. Any self-aware Miami fan will admit that, with trips to Gainesville and College Station early on, the Canes could easily start the season 1-2. With an exceptionally young and inexperienced squad, it will be supremely important for Shannon and his staff to keep the kids focused and confident. Coach will need to sell the early losses as learning experiences. This should not be an impossible task as winning the conference (or at least the division) should be the overriding goal for the 2008 Canes.