Swagger

No team in the country had a more difficult opening four games. Their head coach was starting out on the hot seat after leading a once mighty and proud dynasty only 8 years removed from their last national championship. Randy Shannon won national titles for the University of Miami back in the eighties playing for one of the most dominant teams of the modern era that won national titles with three different head coaches during a ten year span. Sports writers were predicting Shannon would be gone after four games. Fortunately for Shannon the is swagger back in south Florida headed up by a pleasant surprise at quarterback in Jacory Harris.

The U opened up with a huge road win against long time state rival Florida State in a Sunshine State shootout for the ages. The road was supposed to get more difficult this week with a team that has had the Canes number in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Ramblin' Wreck of Georgia Tech and their triple option offense. An rushing attack that hung almost 500 yards on the ground last year en route to putting 41 points on the U before Yellow Jacket head coach Paul Johnson called the dogs off leading by 31 heading into the fourth quarter.

The night started out with electricity as the Canes opened up their new Landshark Stadium with big bright yellow beer brand high above the stadium. It might as well have been Yellow Jacket yellow the way Tech ran through the Canes for the first seven minutes of the game with a twelve play, ball control, on the ground, grind it out drive that ended with a field goal. In a game that was going to be tough for the Canes a field goal was a victory with the confusion the Ramblin' Wreck offense bestowed upon Cane defenders.

Pressure was on the Cane offense and their young QB, Harris to get at least a few first downs to keep Tech's top rushing attack off the field and give the Miami defenders time to rest. Harris did not disappoint leading the Canes through the air storming through the Georgia Tech defense with the last forty yards via a precision pass to Laron Byrd for a 7-3 lead. From there the offense showed some swagger hustling off the field, and the defense showed some swagger in shutting down the Tech's ground game the rest of the night limiting the Yellow Jackets to a mere 35 more yards when the final gun sounded.

It was only a matter of time. Just when you think the Canes are dead they find a gem to run the offense and the athletes on defense do their thing and defense wins championships.

The Canes might not be ready to knock off an elite team but the prospects of heading into Blacksburg nine days from now and having a shot at remaining undefeated appear to be more of a reality than they were an illusion heading into the season. The battle against the Hokies will be a major battle for the inside track towards superiority in the coastal division of the ACC. The VA Tech game will also be the first test for the young swaggering Canes to prove themselves outside the state of Florida and for Jacory Harris to see how he does against an aggressive Hokie defense. One would think that the Canes and Harris have already proven themselves against top competition. Florida State might not have a great offense but one thing you can count on with the Seminoles is they always play great defense as the Noles can flat out fly to the ball. Georgia Tech on the other hand is a very talented team with a very physical defense that was outclassed by the Canes and an offense that often confuses opponents with their complex defense was stymied like no other team has done to a Paul Johnson Yellow Jacket team since he took over as head coach with his run dominated offense.

Miami gets the scouting edge against upcoming opponent, Va. Tech this Saturday as the Hokies take on Nebraska in what should be a very physical battle for the Hokies, who opened with Alabama before routing Marshall last week.

The brutal schedule has turned into a major plus for the Canes. They should jump up in the polls this week and will be exceptionally prepared to take on a tough Hokie team that in ways mirrors the Georgia Tech running attack with a very mobile QB but not quite as talented.

In a season where the U is going to have to prove themselves one game at a time, it's time to show up, play defense, fly to the ball, and execute on both sides of the ball to keep the Hokie on their hands in their seats. If the Canes come out and play like they did tonight they will return to Landshark Stadium and appear to have some very sharp teeth.