FIU renews its crosstown rivalry with Miami on the gridiron on Saturday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium. The Panthers and Hurricanes last met in 2007, a 23-9 UM win, in the venerable Orange Bowl. The Hurricanes lead the series 2-0. 

Both teams enter the game with 2-1 records as they wind up their non-conference schedules. FIU has one more non-conference tilt next week against Arkansas Pine-Bluff.

For more on the Hurricanes, here is Miami Herald UM beat writer Susan Miller Degnan to answer "5 Questions" on Miami.

  

1. What were your preseason expectations for Miami this season and how do you think they've done so far three weeks into the season?

SMD: My preseason expectations were that the Hurricanes would go 10-2 in the regular season, win the Coastal Division and go on to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship against – you guessed it – Clemson. I know preseason predictions are fun, but the reason I don't really like them is that injuries, which always end up happening, affect everything in a huge way. The Canes looked much worse than I thought they'd be against LSU, especially because I didn't think the Tigers, except for their known defensive strength, were exceptional.

2. What has gone right and what has gone wrong for the Hurricanes offense thus far?

SMD: What's right is that UM has slot receiver Jeff Thomas, a speedster who runs a 4.37 40-yard dash and leads the nation in yards per catch (27.6), is No. 6
nationally in all-purpose yards (536) and No. 10 in combined kick returns (90 yards on two punt returns and 123 yards on five kickoff returns). Also right: sophomore running back DeeJay Dallas, who is averaging 6.5 yards a carry.

What especially needed improvement the first couple of games were the offensive line and running game. But last week at Toledo, UM's O-line improved greatly by not only protecting quarterback Malik Rosier but by opening holes for the rushers, who combined for 268 ground yards and five rushing touchdowns. Rosier, who was sacked four times, threw two interceptions and was often inaccurate against LSU, also had his best game at Toledo, running for three touchdowns and throwing for another two.

I would be remiss not to mention that UM has lost two of its scholarship tight ends to knee surgery this season, which leaves only two scholarship tight ends in the lineup now.

3. What has gone right and what has gone wrong for the Hurricanes on defense thus far?

SMD: A lot has gone right, with one big wrong. The Hurricanes lead the nation in tackles for loss and stopping opponents on third down and have risen to
fourth nationally in total defense. UM, with 35 tackles for loss, has stopped opponents 36 times of 43 attempts on third down, meaning its opponents are successful only 16.2 percent of the time. The Canes are also ninth in passing yards allowed (136.7 per game).

However, safety Jaquan Johnson, an AP Preseason All-American and no doubt one of the best in the nation, will likely not play against FIU. He sustained a hamstring injury at Toledo. After he went out just before halftime, the UM defense pretty much went in the tank until it righted itself later in the game.

4. What has been the mood or thoughts with UM regarding this game with FIU?

SMD: The Canes are saying the right things and seemingly taking FIU very seriously. They've already lost a game they were favored to win and plummeted in the rankings. However, when teams from basically the same neighborhood meet, you never know what's going to transpire. UM coach Mark Richt and assistants, I have a feeling have gone over or will go over the don't-be-stupid-and-do-something-that-will-get-you-ejected speech.

5. Your thoughts on Saturday's game?

SMD: My thoughts are that I hope it's a clean game with no scuffles or close calls in that department. UM is a 26 ½-point favorite, and I expect the Canes to win at home, despite, I'm sure, a substantial FIU crowd. But will the Canes cover? Who knows? These backyard competitions make things much more interesting. And the fact that former UM coach Butch Davis is coaching FIU makes it that much more intriguing.

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