CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Of Miami’s 11 offensive starters from last season’s bowl game, it seems likely that 10 will play when the Hurricanes open the season this weekend.
That’s the good news. The other side of the coin is that just three of the Hurricanes’ defensive starters from the Sun Bowl are back.
Not only does Miami have a new coach in Mark Richt, a new staff and a newly remodeled home field, it essentially will have a new defense as well when it plays host to Florida A&M Saturday night in the season-opener for both teams.
The Hurricanes have won the last nine meetings against Florida A&M by an average score of 49-6, and the Rattlers are coming off a 1-10 season. But there will be pressure for Miami to perform right away, and for a defense to set the tone.
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