Part 5 of the 12 part 2014 Miami Hurricane Opponent Video Series - Duke 9/27

2014 Duke Football Preview

In Part 5 of the 2014 12 part opponent video series. I’m going to talk a little about the Duke Blue Devils, our opponent on Sept 27^th at Sun Life Stadium.

Lets first look at their Talent:

Where do you start with Duke? While they might not have the best talent in the world, they find ways to win. They mix the run and pass as good as anyone in the ACC. While they’re not on the level with a FSU or Clemson, their balance offensively is very good. At QB, Anthony Boone is back and he’ll have to be healthy this year because they lost Connette (transferred to Fresno). They do have back Sophomore Thomas Sirk. Sirk is very good athlete who, if he stays healthy, could fill a void left by Connette’s departure. Understand this, this is Boone's offense, if not the entire team, meaning Cut and his new OC, Scottie Montgomery, are going to have to try and keep Boone’s mindset on the here and now. He needs to cut down on the picks which were high last year. 

In the WR core, they have this guy named Jamison Crowder. All he did last year was have 108 receptions for 1,360 yards. He’s just the latest in a long line of Cut offenses to shatter records. He’s also the next Duke receiver to be an All-American candidate. Even though Brandon Braxton is gone, when you factor is Crowder's return, along with a healthy influx of underclassmen talent, you have a WR corp that one of the better ones in the ACC. At TE, they have back a 2^nd team All-ACC in Braxton Deaver (46 for 600). He will be out early in Fall Camp, but he will be one to be dealt with in Cut’s offense. With Braxton graduated, his role in the slot, will be filled by Junior Max McCaffrey (26 for 298), who's steady, and he’ll push Senior Isaac Blakeney (19 for 244) to the outside, where his size could be a useful tool. When you add a 2^nd tier of receivers like Sophomores Johnell Barnes and Ryan Smith, as well as true freshman Trevon Lee, and you can really do some damage stretching the field, which would be huge for Boone's production. This group is very solid and dangerous.

Where they’ll take the biggest hit here is on the O-Line, where they lose two of the most experienced, battle-tested and awarded linemen in the history of their program in RT Perry Simmons and LG Dave Harding. However, they do have three starters coming back in Takoby Cofield at LT, Laken Tomlinson at RG and C Matt Skura. Their OL will be fine. Even with Harding gone, they have back Junior Lucas Patrick, who can step up and produce. The only weakness would be at RT where, you have a battle between Sophomores Tanner Stone and Casey Blaser, and throw in RS Freshman Sterling Korona, and that could be a cause for concern.  That competition will draw eyeballs; however, the most important player on their line is Cofield on the blind side. While Tomlinson is a clear-cut All-ACC pick, the key to their success is the blind side protection being very strong and consistent.

Defensively, they did lose some big names like Kenny Anunike, Sydney Sarmiento, and Justin Foxx, However, they are still loaded with seniors and experienced juniors along the defensive line. The starting lineup here won’t be determined for a few weeks, expect to have five seniors in their two-deep, including three of their four DEs. Look for Seniors Dezmond Johnson and Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo to be starting in 2014, with the latter seemingly set for a very productive year as the full-time starter. Ones to watch, I suspect are Senior Jonathan Jones and Junior Kyler Brown, who moves to the DL from LB, and could be one to deal with in certain situations. Even though Sarmiento is gone, they will be better stopping the run: You have Jamal Bruce producing at the point of attack, Carlos Wray is one that could wreak havoc, and A.J. Wolf has played some key snaps in reserve. They have an impressive young core of linemen even if both true freshmen wear a redshirt as rookies. When you look at the interior of their line, they might have depth that could be the best they’ve had in Cut's tenure. The issue up front is the pass rush.

At LB, they play a 4-2-5 set, and in the spring, that took a major hit when Kelby Brown's tore his ACL for the 2^nd time in his career ending his season. That loss is going to take a big hit on their D. Finding someone to step into Brown’s shoes isn’t going to be easy. It would have to start with Junior Deion Williams, but needs to include Senior C.J. France and a handful of underclassmen, which includes RS Freshmen Dominic McDonald and Chris Holmes. The latter (Holmes) is set to spend his first year behind WS LB David Helton, who had 133 tackles in 2013, and himself a likely all-league selection and the new leader of the front six. While Helton is a nice player who will produce, he’s not the player Brown is.

As for their secondary, it’ll be up to how two new starters, both sophomores do, and true sophomores to boot in Bryon Fields and Breon Borders, Oh, by the way, they’ll be asked to step in at CB as their starter from 2013 have graduated in Ross Cockrell and Garett Patterson. You might question it at first, but look deeper; Fields and Borders were significant and irreplaceable parts of last year's defense. They came up big and stepped into the lineup right away and produced. Also, don’t be shocked if they use sophomore DeVon Edwards (64 tackles, 3 interceptions) in a Cockrell-like role, and move him around the whole secondary. But look for Edwards to be a majority of the time on the back end of the 4-2-5, sharing space with sophomore Deondre Singleton (63 tackles) and junior Jeremy Cash (121 tackles, 4 interceptions). Cash is an All-American. The thing is, Duke has the talent and the athletes back here. They are not to be taken lightly at all here. They’re young to boot.

On Special teams, they are very good, even though they had off years. Monday is an All-American Punter, and Maritin is an All-ACC Kicker. You have back Jamison Crowder and Edwards, and you have one of the better ST units in the ACC.

Next, I want to talk about the Coaching:

What can you say about David Cutcliffe? What this man has done to turn Duke around is unbelievable. He gets the most out of the talent he has. This guy has won everywhere he’s gone (Tennessee, Ole Miss, and now Duke).

Now, to their 2014 Schedule:

Off a 10-4 record in 2013 and a Coastal Division title, Duke in 2014 will not sneak up on anyone this year. Let’s break the Blue Devils schedule down.

In their opener, Duke gets Elon at home. Now, Elon is what Duke used to be — a football program most people do not realize even exists. There are perhaps 6,000 students at tiny Elon University, also located in North Carolina. They are in the FCS and playing in the Colonial Athletic Association. They’re breaking in a new Head Coach in Rich Skrosky, who comes over from Ball State. How far Duke has come that it now has cupcake games like this to start with. Duke wins here easily.

In Week 2, another tune-up game for the Blue Devils, as they make the trip down to Troy, Alabama to take on the Troy Trojans. While, the Trojans are a nice team from the Sun Belt Conference, and gave Duke Fits last year, they will not defeat the Blue Devils this year.  Duke wins comfortably here.

In week 3, the Blue Devils are back home, to take on Kansas and Charlie Weis. Weis is on the hot seat in Lawrence, and they are still rebuilding. It’ll be a while before they’re a .500 or better team. They haven’t won on the road since 2009. Won’t happen in this one either. Duke wins this one. 

In week 4, they’re home again, this time to face the Tulane Green Wave. Here’s interesting tidbit here about the Green Wave. They have a legally blind player, who’s a freshman long-snapper, and he's good at it. The problem is that he doesn’t play where it needs the most help: On O. CJ’s boys won’t be able to hang with the Blue Devils for 4 quarters here. Duke is just too much for Tulane here and gets the win to improve to a projected 4-0. 

In week 5, they open ACC play with a trip to Miami Gardens to take on the Hurricanes. In last year’s loss, we didn’t have Duke at all. This will be a shootout. In the end, we have payback on our minds and I believe the D finds a way to pull it out for us over Duke.

In Week 6, they have a BYE, and coming off the BYE in Week 7, they’re in Atlanta to face GT. However, note that this is not the same Tech team that demolished Duke last year. They lost a main cog in QB Vad Lee and much of their O. You could see Crowder have a field day against that porous Tech D. Duke bounces back and gets revenge for last year’s beat down by GT.

In Week 8, they host UVa, who are just awful, and Mike London’s seat will already be blistering hot at this point and it won’t cool here after this one.  Duke wins BIG here.

In Week 9, they have their 2^nd BYE, and in Week 10 off the BYE, they make the trip up to Heinz Field in Pittsburgh to take on the Pitt Panthers, in a rematch of a classic shootout the Panthers won 58-55 last year in Durham. With Pitt’s QB Tom Savage now gone, it won’t be the shootout it was last year, and Duke is vastly improved at this point defensively. Give it to Duke on the road here.

In Week 11, they’re on the road again on a Thursday Night, a short week, at Syracuse. The Orange were inconsistent at year ago. While Syracuse is building something for down the road, they don’t have enough weapons to beat the Blue Devils on this night. Its Duke’s road finale and this is a game the Blue Devils win comfortably.

In Week 12, they’re back home for the final stretch of games at Wallace-Wade Stadium, starting with VT. For years, VT had their way with the Blue Devils, but that changed with last year’s win in Blacksburg. I know under to underestimate Frank Beamer and Bud Foster, but they just lost too many weapons on D and Logan Thomas is gone, and there’s no go to guy on VT’s O. Duke’s passing game is rolling here. I can Duke winning this one by 10-14 points in this one.

In Week 13, they host Carolina on ESPN on a Thursday night, and it's not a basketball game! If Duke were to win this game, it would make a major statement that Duke is legit and not a one-hit wonder. It’s another short week for the Blue Devils here. Carolina wants that Victory Bell back and wants to erase the sting of the Blue Devils winning the Coastal on their field. As much as Carolina’s QB Marquise Williams wants to the chance to prove he's something special, at the end of the day, Duke will be again a little too much for the Tar Heels. Duke gets the win over UNC.

In the season finale, they host Wake. While the Deacons are awful, new coach Dave Clawson will make sure they get better each year. However, with a lot on the line, and it being Senior Day, and off a projected big win over an arch-rival 9 days earlier, there will be no letdown here. Duke wins handily to finish 11-1.

My prediction on the Game vs. CANES:

This is a payback game for last year’s embarrassment in Durham. It’s easily the low point in the Golden era. We want to badly pay Duke back for that. Off a projected big win in Lincoln, and given what they did last year to us up there, there will be ZERO letdowns for this one. I think we’re going to win this one and the D will make a key play late to seal the win.

In Part 6 of the 2014 series, I will talk about the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, our opponent on October 4^th up in Atlanta at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Part 4 of the 12 part 2014 Miami Hurricane Opponent Video Series - @Nebraska 9/20

2014 Nebraska Football Preview

In Part 4 of the 2014 12 part opponent video series. I’m going to talk a little about the Nebraska Cornhuskers, our opponent on Sept 20^th at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE at 8 p.m. on either ABC or ESPN.

Lets first look at their Talent:

When you see the Cornhuskers, you know what you’re getting here, and that’s a physical running game. This year is no different. They get Ameer Abdullah back and this guy is the real deal. However, it’s not just Abdullah, they also have Imani Cross and Terrell Newby back as well and both playmakers to boot. At QB, Taylor Martinez is gone, but have a decent replacement in Tommy Armstrong Jr. Now, he might not be the playmaker Martinez was, but he’s serviceable.  Another Husker tradition is massive O-Lines, and with Colorado transfer Alex Lewis filling in a missing piece, their Line will be a force to be dealt with again in 2014, as they should be over 3,000 yards rushing, maybe 3,500. It’s better than 2,804 yards from last year.

Defensively, we know about the Blackshirts. They’re solid on the D-Line and have an All-American DE in Randy Gregory. This is not the feared Husker D of old, but still be one to deal with, if they can get some questions answered there, especially in the secondary, which has been devastated by injuries/suspensions to key personnel. They lost their top DB in Charles Jackson as well as Sophomore LB Michael Rose to knee injuries. They also lost RS Freshman Adam Taylor, to a broken ankle, and Sophomore S LeRoy Alexander, to suspension without explanation. Their back seven is going to have to come huge very quickly, especially the secondary, which must step up fast.  They have talented vets back in Zaire Anderson, Michael Rose and David Santos, and now they have to make a bigger impact, especially with the injuries. They have Corey Cooper back, who can tackle with the best of them at safety, but it's going to take a little time to reload without Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Ciante Evans.

Next, I want to talk about the Coaching:

It seems that every year, Bo Pelini is on the hot seat in Lincoln, and yet, each year, he finds a way to get the most out of his personnel. His winning percentage is .707 (58-24). He’s entering his 7^th year as Huskers boss, and in three of those years, he’s won 10 games. All this guy does is win. Some expect a Big 10 title at some point. This guy is a very solid coach.

Now, to their 2014 Schedule:

Off a 9-4 record in 2013, which included a bowl win over Georgia in the Gator Bowl, 2014 will have another brutal schedule for the Huskers, especially when they get to Big 10 play, so let’s break it down.

In their opener, they host FAU, in which it was supposed to be the Pelini bowl (Bo vs. Carl, before the latter was canned in Boca Raton). They have a new coach in Charlie Partridge and its going to be a while before they’re any good. It’s the home opener for the Huskers, and this is a game they should handle their business vs. the Owls

In Week 2, another tune-up game for the Huskers as McNeese comes calling in Lincoln. This is a team that embarrassed Buffalo last year in season opener in Buffalo’s house. With a trip to Fresno the next week, and after what McNeese did to Buffalo, Pelini will have the Huskers focused on this game, vs. a rebuilding Cowboys team. And the Huskers cruise in this one. 

In week 3, the Huskers head west to Fresno to take on the Bulldogs. Even though they lost Derek Carr to graduation, this is still a very dangerous and loaded Fresno team. They added Brandon Connette from Duke (eligible this year). Their WR core took a hit with graduations of two 1,000 yard WRs from 2013 in Davante Adams and Isaiah Burst. They do get back Josh Harper and Greg Watson at WR. Their running game will be one to deal with in this game. Josh Quezada is a 1^st team all Mountain West Player. Their O-Line is very good, though they did lose to graduation in Austin Wentworth, who was a 1^st team all MWC player.

As for their defense, where they have the most experience is at LB. However on the DL, they only have back Tyeler Davison and he’s one of the Top 5 D-Linemen on Kiper’s 2015 Big Board. Their secondary is suspect.

As for this game, it’s a late night game (9:30 CT), and you feel that with Miami at home the next week, this has all the makings of a trap game on the road. In the end, the Huskers make enough plays to win late. Huskers the nod here.

In week 4, they’re back in Lincoln and we (CANES) come in for a Prime Time game. For Miami, it’s the biggest road game in the career of Al Golden. The two teams have not played in Lincoln since 1976. The CANES are 0-5 in Lincoln all-time. Our O-Line will be the best they face until deep into Big 10 play. I expect this to be a very tough game and can go either way. You have to think that in Prime Time with the brightest lights on and on the biggest stage, I think we’ll find a way to leave Lincoln a winner.

In week 5, they open B1G play when the Fighting Illini comes to Lincoln. They finished 4-8 last year, which is an improvement from 2-10 the year before. On Defense, they lost LB Mike Svetina to a foot injury. Uh oh. While on O, they added Oklahoma State transfer Wes Lund to be the QB there, it’ll be another long season in Champaign. As for this game, the Huskers coming off a likely tough loss vs. Miami, they will take their frustrations out on the Illini to start B1G play. Huskers roll in this one.

In Week 6, they head to East Lansing to take on a team that is a dark horse to win the National Championship in Michigan State. While the Spartans are not as strong defensively as they were last year, they are still a force to deal with; even they only return 5 starters from the 2013 team. On offense, they are very good, though, they do lose three starters on the O-Line from last year. The Huskers had that game last year, but they shot themselves in the foot with 5 turnovers and lost the game. If the Huskers are the team that has destiny on their side, this is a game they win like they did two years ago. I believe it’ll be another physical game, and in the end, the Huskers win a very tough game on the road in East Lansing.

In Week 7, they have a BYE, and coming off the BYE in Week 8, the Huskers are back on the road with a trip to Evanston to take on Northwestern. The Wildcats have had a very eventful off-season with the team wanting to unionize. Now with the season around the corner, Pat Fitzgerald has his team focused and united. Now, in this game, will there be a letdown after an emotional win vs. Michigan State for Nebraska? The good thing is that it’s off the BYE week. The bad thing, it’s off a BYE week and lack of focus could creep in. You have to believe the Huskers find a way to win this one on the road and keep the mo going. Huskers the nod here over NW.

In Week 9, they’ll be back in Lincoln to take on the newest member of the B1G in Rutgers. You have a feeling this will get ugly quick for the Scarlet Knights and the way, I expect the Huskers to be playing at this point, and this has all the makings of a rout. Huskers BIG in this one.

In Week 10, they are home again, this time vs. Purdue. Like the game vs. Rutgers the previous week, this could get ugly for the Boilermakers very quickly, and the Huskers in this projection remain undefeated in B1G play with a BIG win over Purdue.

In Week 11, they have their 2^nd BYE, and in Week 12 off the BYE, they go to Camp Randle Stadium in Madison, WI for a HUGE showdown with the Badgers. This Badgers team has a lot of question marks going in and an inability to win close games. They lost a lot of key parts from 2013.  This is the year, Nebraska wins over the Badgers.

In Week 12, they will host Minnesota in their home finale. Its senior day in Lincoln and the Huskers will still have a lot to play for in this game, and after this game, they will still be undefeated in B1G play. Nebraska rolls in this one.  

In the season finale, they go to Iowa City to take on the Hawkeyes, which will likely be for the West title and a trip to Indianapolis. Given the fact that this game is in Iowa City, I have to believe the Hawkeyes will find a way to get it done vs. Huskers. Iowa wins a tight one and ends the Huskers regular season at 10-2.  

My prediction on the Game vs. CANES:

This is the biggest road game in Al’s career to date. We have not had a true signature win on the road in Golden’s tenure. With the expectations very high, this has to be the year; Al gets that signature win vs. a Top quality opponent on the road. I think this is the game where we get it done, though it will come down to a play late.  

In Part 5 of the 2014 series, I will talk about a team that put us at the lowest point in the Golden era, and that’s the Duke Blue Devils, whom we play at Sun Life Stadium on September 27^th 

Part 3 of the 12 part 2014 Miami Hurricane Opponent Video Series - Arkansas State 9/13

 2014 Arkansas State Football Preview

In Part 3 of the 2014 12 part opponent video series. I’m going to talk a little about the Arkansas State Red Wolves, our opponent on Sept 13^th at Sun Life Stadium.

Lets first look at their Talent:

They have back 8 starters on defense from 2013. They are led by Qushaun Lee, who led the Sun Belt Conference in tackles with 134. They also have back their entire secondary, which gives them a lot of valuable experience back there. .
As for their offense, the biggest question mark is at the QB position, if they can get that ironed out, Arkansas State is going to be one to watch this season. The talent is there and they will play very tough games with the best of them. They’ll be in another bowl game this year when it’s all said and done.

Next, I want to talk about the Coaching:

They will be on their 4^th coach in 4 years, not good from a consistency standpoint, but when you consider the success they’ve had in going to the post-season each year, it’s pretty impressive. Their most recent coach, Bryan Harsin, left for Boise to replace Chris Petersen, who bolted for Seattle to take the UW job. The two years before that, you have Gus Malzahn bolt for the Plains (Auburn) and Hugh Freeze, bolt for Oxford to take the Ole Miss job. It seems to me that Jonesboro is a stop along the way to bigger and better things.
Now it’s Blake Anderson’s turn. Consider this fact: Malzahn, Freeze and Harsin combined to win 28 games in their three combined seasons in Jonesboro.
The background on Anderson is that he’s coming from his stint as OC in Chapel Hill (UNC). His offensive background means you’re going to see him get a QB to develop and run his offense, who play tough non-Sun Belt games against Tennessee and Miami in back-to-back weeks. That's certainly tough for any team, let alone one from the Sun Belt. But the Red Wolves believe they can play with both of those schools.

Now, to their 2014 Schedule:

Off an 8-5 record in 2013, which included a bowl win over Ball State in the GoDaddy.com bowl, 2014 will have another brutal schedule for the Red Wolves, so let’s break it down.

In their opener, they host Montana State, a team that went 7-5 last year, and is a team that is not to be taken lightly (ask SMU, as they narrowly beat the Wildcats in Week 2 31-30). It’s a dangerous opponent off the bat, but at home in Jonesboro, the Red Wolves should win this one.  

In Week 2, they start a tough stretch of two straight road games vs. Power 5 opponents. First, it’s a trip to Knoxville to take on Tennessee. This is a game that the Red Wolves don’t win. The Vols have too many weapons in this one, Vols cruise here.

In week 3, it doesn’t get any easier for the Red Wolves because they get us (CANES). Miami has too many weapons, even more so than Tennessee the week prior. The only chance the Red Wolves would have is if Miami looks ahead to the big one the following week out in Lincoln. CANES roll easily in this one. 

In week 4, they’re back in Jonesboro to host an underrated Utah State Aggie team that has a lot of talent back on both sides of the ball. Some believe the Aggies will give Boise a serious challenge in the Mountain West this year. As for this game, I have to believe Utah State wins this on the road due to the better talent they have here.

In week 5, they have a BYE, so when they come back in Week 6, they will host Monroe, who’s going to have to replace some key personnel lost to graduation. One notable player gone is Kolton Browning. All he did was threw for better than 10,000 yards in his career. They do have back Brayle Brown, who did play when Browning was hurt. They did have some pretty solid players back in key areas, like WR Rashon Ceaser and RB Centarius Donald. Ceaser caught 65 passes last season while Donald led the team in rushing. They also have a pretty solid tight end transfer from Colorado in Vincent Hobbs.
From a defensive perspective for them, they are in transition. Last year, they gave up an average of 427 yards a game and went 6-6. If the Red Wolves are going to catch them, this would be the game to do it, coming off a BYE. Red Wolves win this one handily.

In Week 7, has the Red Wolves coming east to Atlanta to take on Georgia State, which was pitiful in 2013 going winless for the season. This is going to be a very easy win for the Red Wolves in Atlanta here, as it will take a while for them to be good. Red Wolves easily in this one.

In Week 8, they’ll have their 2^nd BYE, and in Week 9, off the BYE, they will take on Louisiana-Lafayette on the road on a Tuesday Night, who some predict will win the Sun Belt title. What the Red Wolves will face is a team that is loaded with talent. This game will be for the Sun Belt title, and at the end of the day, the Rajun Caguns will be a bit too much for the Red Wolves here. Lafayette wins, but in a very close one.

In Week 10, they are on the road again, this time with a trip to Moscow, Idaho to take on the Vandals. This will be the Vandals bowl game has they are ineligible to go to an actual bowl game this year because of NCAA academic sanctions. The Red Wolves, I predict will respond to the Vandals intensity and win this one on the road. Red Wolves get the nod here.

In Week 11, they’re back in Jonesboro to host South Alabama. The Jaguars are pretty thin experience and depth wise, with 28 seniors gone to graduation in Mobile. They are still solid and one that the Red Wolves will have to deal with in this game. In the end, the Red Wolves find a way to pull one out vs. the Jaguars.

In Week 12, they will host a power in the FCS for many years in App State, who makes the jump to the FBS. This is still a very dangerous opponent (ask Michigan), however, this is November, and the Red Wolves will not be caught off guard here. Red Wolves win comfortably in this one.  

In Week 13, they make the trip to San Marcos, TX on a Thursday Night to take on Texas State, which went 6-6 in 2013. This is a young team that will gain more experience as the season progresses, but at the end of the day, the Red Wolves are just too much here. Arkansas State wins handily here.

In the season finale in Jonesboro, they will host New Mexico State, which struggled mightily last year. Given what Arkansas State possibly has to play for here, and it being Senior Day in Jonesboro, this is a game the Red Wolves win and do so going away to finish the 2014 season at 8-4.

My prediction on the Game vs. CANES:

If there were a danger game for us, this is it, with a trip to Lincoln the next week; there could be a chance for us to look ahead. Al will not let that happen. Like with FAMU the previous week, the only thing that would concern me is if someone got hurt (a la Morris last year vs. Savannah State).
 
In Part 4 of the 2014 series, I will talk about a team that we’ve had some historic games with, and that’s the Nebraska Cornhuskers, whom we play in Lincoln on September 20^th in Prime Time on ABC/ESPN.

Part 2 of the 12 part 2014 Miami Hurricane Opponent Video Series - FAMU 9/6 (Home Opener)

2014 FAMU Football Preview

In Part 2 of the 2014 12 part opponent video series. I’m going to talk a little about the FAMU Rattlers, our opponent in the Home Opener on Sept 6^th at Sun Life Stadium.

Lets first look at their Talent:

FAMU coach Earl Holmes has some strong players, including quarterbacks Damien Fleming and Carson Royal back in 2014. Fleming was the starter much of last season before a foot injury sidelined him for the final two games of the 2013 season and spring practice. Royal has improved while filling in for Fleming. They will get help coming back with some pretty good players returning with four FAMU players being on the preseason All-MEAC second team ― sophomore guard Keonte Cash, senior defensive back Devontae “Terry” Johnson, redshirt sophomore Patrick Aiken and senior kicker Chase Varnadore. They have a Freshman RB out of Dwyer High School in Gerald Hearns coming in. He’s 5’9” 205 lbs and might start right away with the regular starter Demont Bruce still recovering from an injury.

Next, I want to talk about the Coaching:

When you read what Holmes says, you’ll think it’s the usual coach speak you hear all the time, however, that’s how he is when he chooses to talk about how this season is a make or break season or not. Keep this in mind though, in 2013, the Rattlers finished his first season as a head coach at 3-9. That put Holmes, just in his second season as a head coach, under the gun.

But he seems to understand why even some of the diehards seem a little impatient. To hear Holmes tell it: "As far as redeeming, I feel it's time for us to make a statement," We’ll see on that one.

Now, to their 2014 Schedule:

Off a 3-9 record in 2013, 2014 will be no easier for the Rattlers. Let’s break it down.
In their opener, they go to Jackson State in a renewal of the Orange Blossom Classic. Many predict them to finish 3^rd in the SWAC Eastern Division. Coming off an 8-4 season, it won’t be easy for FAMU to win out in Jackson. They have a new coach there in Harold Jackson, and they are on a mission this year to win the SWAC title. No way the Rattlers win this one. Jackson cruises here.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Rattlers as a week; they get us (CANES) in our home opener. This is a game, while it’s a short week for the CANES, this is a game UM should win and win easily.
After a BYE in week 3, they get Coastal Carolina in their Home opener in Tallahassee. That team is loaded. They have two First team all FCS players back in OL Chad Hamilton, and LB Quinn Backus.

They are ranked 7^th nationally in the FCS pre-season poll and went 12-3 last year, lost in the Quarterfinals to the eventual champion North Dakota State. Not good for the Rattlers there in their home opener. Look for a 0-3 start after this one.

In week 4, the trip to Nashville will be brutal, as they take on #15 in the Preseason FCS poll in Tennessee State Tigers out of the Ohio Valley Conference. Many project the Tigers to go the FCS Post-Season. They came off a 10-4 season, losing to Eastern Illinois in the 2^nd round. The Tigers are loaded and having key personnel back in Nashville, look for a 0-4 record for the Rattlers after this one.

In week 5 they are back in Tallahassee to take on Morgan State. Many writers in the MEAC predict them to finish last in the league. They have two guys on their roster that our 1^st team all-MEAC pre-season in OL Darren Pinnock, and P Lawrence Forbes. If FAMU is going to get their 1^st win of the year, look for it to be here.

In Week 6, they will host Savannah State, who like the Rattlers is banned from NCAA post-season play. Last year, they went 1-11, so if there’s a shot at a 2^nd win of the season for the Rattlers, this would be it right here.  They do get back starting QB Leon Prunty from 2013, but they have an exciting JC transfer from Eastern Arizona in Ker-Sean Wilson, who according to quite a few people that were at their Spring game, had a great performance. He is a dual threat QB who passed for 115 yards and ran for 62 yards with the snaps he was given. Folks in Savannah are very excited about Sophomore RB Alex Simmons. He could develop into a productive force and maybe take some pressure off of the QB, which could give the Rattlers some issues. On D, they get back their leaders in both LBs in Marquis Smith and Justin Dixon. After them, the rest of their D is awful, even though they get a bunch of JC transfers coming in that could be playmakers, but FAMU needs to pay close attention to trying and neutralize Smith and Dixon because they will be the major pieces for the Tigers. This is a FAMU win in the end.

In Week 7, the Rattlers make the trip up to our Nation’s Capital with a date with the Howard Bison. The MEAC writers are picking the Bison to finish 4^th in the conference. This was a .500 team last year at 6-6 and 4-4 in the league. They get back the Co-Player of the year in the league in Dual Threat QB Greg McGhee, who had an average of 272.9 yards last year, and rushed for almost 900 yards and had a completion rate of 59%. Howard also has back RB Anthony Philyaw OT Toree Boyd, and S Cameron Alston. This team is decent and is only going to get better, which in this game will not be good for the Rattlers. Look for them to be 2-5 after this one. Howard wins here.

In Week 8, the Rattlers are back on the road again, this time vs. NC A & T, whom the writers who cover the league predict will finish 3^rd in the conference. They have 4 players on the 1^st team Pre-season all-MEAC team (3 on O and 1 on D). This is a team that has experience and coming off a 7-4 season last year, they also return the conference’s Rookie of the year in RB Tarik Cohen. In the end, look for the Rattlers to be 2-6 after this one. A & T wins here.

In Week 9, they are back in Tallahassee to take on Norfolk State. The writers predict them to finish 6^th in the league. They do have coming an All-American LB in Lynden Trail and he was a first team all-FCS player in 2013 and on their 1^st team preseason team this year. They have another All-American back in CB Darrin Marrow. In the end here, look for FAMU to drop to 2-7. Norfolk comes to Tallahassee and wins.

In Week 10, they host South Carolina State, who many writers predict to finish 2^nd in the league behind Bethune. They made the post-season last year, losing in the 1^st round to Furman 30-20. They finished 9-4 in 2013, and they have back 4 players on the 1^st team all MEAC Pre-season team (2 on O and 2 on D). Look for the Rattlers here to drop to 2-8 after this one. SC State wins here in FAMU home finale.

In Week 11, the Rattlers will make the trip North to Dover to take on the Delaware State Hornets, The Hornets are projected to finish 5^th in the league. In 2013, they finished 5-6, and they beat the Rattlers in Tallahassee 29-21. The way FAMU projects to look this year, I predict a Delaware State victory here at home over the Rattlers to drop FAMU to 2-9.

In the season finale in Orlando, they will play the Florida Classic vs. Bethune, whom many predict to win the conference again this year. This classic could get very ugly very quickly, and I predict it will be ugly for the Rattlers. Look for the Wildcats to cruise in this one to end FAMU’s 2014 season at 2-10

My prediction on the Game vs. CANES:

A short week, and off a signature win at Louisville, there will be no letups in this one. I like us to win this game easily. The only thing that would concern me is if someone got hurt a la Morris last year vs. Savannah State.

In Part 3 of the 2014 series, I will talk about the Arkansas State Red Wolves, our opponent on September 13^th at Sun Life Stadium.