THE 'CANE CORNER - A LOOK AT MIAMI HURRICANE FOOTBALL by Matty C.

Willie Williams transferring.

An embarrassing 40-3 loss to LSU in last season’s Peach Bowl.

6 coaches dismissed in the past year, including 25-year player and assistant head coach Art Kehoe.

Starters Tyrone Moss, Ryan Moore, and 2 others suspended for the first game against Florida State

Talk of Butch Davis waiting in the wings.

Lets first deal with the young Mr. Williams. Citing a lack of playing time and after being criticized by other defensive players for lack of dedication and hard-work Our boy WW has tried everything; transferring to West Virginia, Fresno State, the bastion of education that is Troy (Alabama). He has even been turned down by that statesman of college football: Phil Fulmer at Tennessee. You know you are in trouble when you can’t even get into Tennessee.

I duly attach the letter our president, none other than the Donna Shalala (yes that one)…sent a scant 2 years ago explaining her thoughts and her decision to admit the young Mr. Williams to Miami.

Mr. Williams is also one of us--a son of Miami. We have a special obligation, relationship, and commitment to the young people of our South Florida community. We want them to continue to think of us as a place of academic excellence and opportunity. My friends and advisors have suggested that some institution will take him if we don't; I believe that to be a true statement. However, our reading of his application is that he will have the possibility of a real future if he attends an institution that is both tough and demanding academically.

So it seems that Willie Williams has repaid the kindness UM demonstrated to such a troubled youth by threatening to transfer if defensive coordinator Randy Shannon (himself a former UM linebacker on the 1987 National Championship team) doesn’t give him more playing time. Lets count some of the recent 1st-rounders that Randy Shannon has coached….Ed Reed, Antrelle Rolle, John Vilma, Vince Wilfork and Jerome McDougal to just name a few. I’ll stick with Randy on this one.

All of this turbulence leads to the national perception that the ‘Canes are too troubled and young this year to shine on a national stage. This is why the ‘Canes are underdogs this year’….and this is why everybody is wrong.

The ‘Canes are currently ranked #11 in the preseason USA Today poll.

Down to business: Miami – FSU on Sep 3rd. This will be a mistake-prone, good QB-playin’ 2 hours featuring 2 rising QB’s, FSU’s Drew Weatherford and Miami’s Kyle Wright

FSU has better players at the skill positions, but Miami should have a top-5 defense again in 2006 (with or without the young Mr. Williams)

But which UM team will show up?

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