By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Miami’s Al Golden champions organization, preparation, focus and accountability; those should be traits his veteran defense can show.

In college football, a game where newcomers often go from being banned from buying R-rated movie tickets to being the feature attraction for 80,000+ viewers seemingly overnight, the transition can be brutal. Schematic complexities, staggering speed and strength expansions, external pressure and relentless competition welcomes young players to the big stage.

With the margin of error being so slim, the margin between the mental and physical lapses that come with youth and the consistency that comes with experience can be the difference in winning and losing. On defense, a strong collection of veterans almost always translates to consistency. And defense wins championships.

Miami football has had a dramatic feel the past few seasons. Fair or unfair, Randy Shannon has been replaced by former Temple head coach Al Golden. He champions organization, preparation, focus and accountability; those should be traits his veteran defense can both embrace and show.

The Hurricanes will have one of the oldest defenses in the ACC. Their pre-season depth chart features ten upperclassmen starters, perhaps eleven if Jordan Futch beats out James Gaines at middle linebacker. Counting Futch, seven senior starters will take the field along with four juniors for Miami this fall.

Headlining the cast is All-American linebacker Sean Spence. The team’s heart and soul, he compiled 111 tackles and 17 tackles for loss in 2010. Spence sets the emotional tone for his teammates and provides leadership-by-example with his tenacious play. He will serve as Golden’s coach-on-the-field in this transition year that many believe can be one of contention for the Hurricanes. Speedy senior Ramon Buchanan is Spence’s top running mate. Futch and Gaines have a battle that will carry over into fall camp.

Up front ends Oliver Vernon and Adewale Ojomo offer a junior-senior punch, as well as 300-pound tackles Marcus Forston and Micanor Regis. They combined for 38 tackles for loss last season, with Forston pacing the unit with a dozen. Physically, there aren’t many groups more talented anywhere in college football.

Imposing Ray-Ray Armstrong stands tall in the secondary at 6’4”. He and classmate Vaughn Telemaque earned their stripes on the field of play as sophomores a year ago. Each recorded three interceptions. Armstrong will likely be a pre-season All-ACC selection. The starting cornerbacks, JoJo Nicolas and Lee Chambers, are each entering their season seasons. Nickelback Brandon McGee is a junior.

Miami’s top foes in the division won’t have the luxury of established college players across their defensive lineups. Virginia Tech will likely start four sophomores. Georgia Tech could start as many as seven freshmen and sophomores.

Physically, there is a major difference in a first or second-year player and an upperclassman. Time spent on a college nutrition program and in a college weight room simply can’t be duplicated. The most glaring line of demarcation, however, is drawn between the ears. With experience, the pace of the game slows. Players often say their on-field reactions don’t become innate until their third season on a team. With time in a program also comes unity, camaraderie between teammates, trust.

“We’ve always had talent and some of the strongest and fastest guys, but if you don’t have that team chemistry, nothing is gonna happen. Knowing that the guy next to you is gonna do his job and that you don’t have to worry, that makes a big difference in having a championship team,” Fortson explained.

It’s been a learning process for Miami’s defense the last few seasons. While a handful of key contributors must be replaced and a new defensive coordinator is in place in Mark D’Onofrio, veterans are poised to ease the transition. In recent years this Miami defense has had some promising moments. With star power, a veteran presence and perhaps even a little time-tested swagger, this Hurricane defense is ready for the next step in their development: showtime.