2008 Miami College Football Predictions

A young Miami team could be bailed out by a forgiving schedule this season. While a road game at Florida won't be fun, the rest of Miami's foes aren't overwhelming. The 'canes don't play Clemson or Boston College and they get VA Tech and FSU at home. Still, there appears to be too many question marks to imagine more than a 7-5 record. Jimmy Boyd's 2008 Miami Hurricanes predictions and season preview break down "The U". BodogLife.com lists Miami at 7-2 odds to win the ACC title.
 

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Offense

Miami's offense bottomed out last season, ranking among the 20 worst in scoring, passing, and total offense. To make matter worse, Kyle Wright has used up his eligibility and Kirby Freeman transferred to Baylor so the 'canes don't have a QB on the roster who has thrown a pass at the collegiate level. Redshirt freshman Robert Marve will be the likely starter and he'll be getting tested by true freshman Jacory Harris. The 'canes will have to depend on their running game again, but if they can't get anything going through the air, teams will be able to stack the line of scrimmage. Miami averaged a respectable 145.6 yards per game on the ground in 2007. A strong line, led by tackles Jason Fox and Reggie Youngblood, should help tailbacks Javarris James and Craig Cooper to big seasons. Expect true freshman Aldarius Johnson to emerge as the star of the receiving corps.

Defense

Head coach Randy Shannon made a good hire by pulling in Kansas' defensive coordinator Bill Young. Young has been coaching a big play defensive philosophy which used to be the staple of Miami teams. In fact, Miami scored 48 defense and special teams touchdowns from 2000-04. To put things in perspective, Miami had just one defensive touchdown last season. Safety Randy Phillips and linebacker Colin McCarthy will lead the defense which will feature a bunch of new faces. Freshman linebackers Sean Spence and Arthur Brown, early enrollees, looked good in the spring game and are expected to see considerable action. Allen Bailey will move from linebacker to play the defensive end spot. At 6'4'' and 287 pounds, he could be a handful for offensive tackles. Veteran players like defensive tackle Antonio Dixon and defensive end Eric Moncur need to carry the load so that Miami can float the expect mistakes of their youth.

Special Teams

Miami needs to find those game breakers in the return game like they had with Devin Hester. Craig Cooper and Shawnbrey McNeal will try to provide that spark. The kicking game didn't look good in the spring as freshman Jake Wieclaw was inconsistent. Punter Matt Bosher could do double duty because of it.

Prediction – 3rd ACC Coastal

This will just be Randy Shannon's second year in the program and he appears to be making the right moves, namely by hiring Bill Young. I think Miami plays at least .500 football this season and could have a shot to surprise because of a weak schedule. BodogLife.com lists Miami's odds to win the BCS Championship at 35-1.  This team still is probably North Carolina, but they should end up on top of Georgia Tech and Virginia.

Bet the ACC and win big with Jimmy Boyd all season long. Mr. Boyd has made a killing in this conference alone the past five season and his clients have come to expect nothing less. Sign up for one of Jimmy's low-cost college football picks packages and just sit back and relax while Jimmy handles the winning.

July 7th, 2008