The 2012 Miami Hurricanes are a distant second on the ACC Coastal Odds behind favorite Virginia Tech who is listed at -110 on the money line. The Virginia Tech Hokies appear to have a stranglehold on the ACC Coastal while a young and unproven ‘Canes team deals with a heavy amount of personnel turnover. On paper there is top-30 talent and replacing turnover prone former QB Jacory Harris could actually result in an upgrade. Head coach Al Golden came in well regarded but posted a mediocre 6-6 record in his inaugural season. Golden had to deal with a 2011 marred by off-season scandal however and the U couldn’t be happier to get a fresh start. The 2012 Miami Hurricanes BCS Odds are at 100-1 ($1000 to win $100,000).

College Football Picks Analysis: The ‘Canes have underachieved for quite some time. Coaching has come into question, especially after 6 players left for the NFL last season. The talent is still their for the U but they have only 10 returning starters. At quarterback, 3rd-year transfer Ryan Williams (6’6″ 225 Lb.) will battle with junior Stephen Morris who is coming off of back surgery. Morris runs well but Williams has a live arm and more upside. Williams passed for 13 TD’s to 10 INT’s as a freshmen at Memphis before being redshirted last year. Morris protected the ball better than Jacory Harris did last season and has the inside track to win the job however. The O-line is inconsistent but has a potentially dominant force in G Brandon Linder.  The 6’6” junior should help pave the way for senior running back Mike James who is a 220 Lb. workhorse that can move the chains. The line could have a depth issue with underachieving blue-chip sophomore OT Sentrel Henderson having off-field problems that could prevent him from seeing the field. The 2012 Miami Hurricanes ACC Coastal Odds are at +450 moneyline.

The defense has some thumpers capable of generating more turnovers than last year’s group that ranked 105th in takeaways. Sophomore DE Anthony Chickillo is a star in the making and linebacker Denzel Perryman has the look of another dominant ‘Canes LB if he can learn how to play in the middle. Perryman has packed on 20 Lbs. of muscle in the weight room but must learn how to play middle linebacker for the first time. This defense has the potential to be a top-15 unit if Golden can get the most out of a group of thoroughbreds that could have a dominant front four. The secondary is very green but is even more talented than the front seven on paper. The ACC Odds have the 2012 Miami Hurricanes at +900 money line to win the conference championship.

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On both sides of the ball Miami has position battles going down which is a good thing but indicative of where this young team is at. RB Mike James is a grinder that will put the offense on his shoulders but James’s production probably will not match those last year’s starter Lamar Miller (4th round draft pick). The 9th toughest schedule is also brutal from start to finish with the opener against an improved Boston College team. Al Golden should be able to get his team back to a bowl game but once again Miami will not be a powerhouse without an elite QB. The Sports Odds Vegas are also heavily tilted based more on Miami’s reputation rather than their actual roster.

College Football Predictions Forecast: 8-5

Brad Marchetti

Brad "Einstein" Marchetti is a sports media member that has won various Sports Handicapping contests online. Marchetti is regarded as one of the sharpest Football and Fight Handicappers in the country.