Miami Hurricanes
2001 record: 12-0 (7-0)
Coach: Larry Coker (2nd season, 12-0)
Starters returning: 4 offense, 6 defense, 2 kickers

Outlook: The defending national champion Hurricanes lost 11 players to the NFL, including five No. 1 draft picks, but don't cry for Miami. Nine players who were first- or second-team all-Big East selections return this season.

The offense suffered major losses, but should still score plenty of points. Ken Dorsey will own every important record at Miami by season's end. Three of last year's four leading receivers return including Andre Johnson (school record-tying 10 touchdowns last season), who shared the Rose Bowl MVP award with Dorsey.

	Around The Big East
	Boston College Eagles
	Miami Hurricanes
	Pittsburgh Panthers
	Rutgers Scarlet Knights
	Syracuse Orangemen
	Temple Owls
	Virginia Tech Hokies
	West Virginia Mountaineers

Every player on the defensive front seven that started the Rose Bowl is back. The defensive line may be the best in school history. The big question is in the secondary where all four starters plus the nickel back must be replaced.

Possible chinks in Miami's armor?

There's the non-conference schedule that includes games against Florida, Tennessee and Florida State. Also, the loss of tailback Frank Gore for at least half the season with a knee injury puts a lot of pressure on tailbacks Willis McGahee and Jarrett Payton, who must run behind a rebuilt offensive line.

Key game: Take your pick. Florida (Sept. 7) and Tennessee (Nov. 9) finished ranked No. 3 and 4 respectively last season. The Gators and Hurricanes are playing for the first time since 1987. There's also the annual showdown with Florida State (Oct. 12) . And, that's the non-conference schedule. Miami has won a record 17 straight Big East games and plays most of its difficult conference games at home.

Keep an eye on: Kellen Winslow Jr. The hit of spring practice, Winslow replaces Jeremy Shockey in the lineup. Coaches say there won't much much of a dropoff. Winslow, whose Pro Football Hall of Fame father is often at practice, has grown to be 6-5 and 243 pounds and runs like a deer.

It's a good year if...: The Hurricanes repeat as national champions. You can't be better than perfect and that's what Miami was last season. The Hurricanes seem a certain bet for their third straight Big East title and BCS berth, but winning a national championship takes some luck as well. Miami has five national championships, but none have come back-to-back.

Jorge Milian covers the Big East for the Palm Beach Post.