COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Miami Hurricanes Should Storm to Top

Howard Schnellenberger, Jimmy Johnson, Dennis Erickson: No one misses a beat.

The Miami Hurricanes, always a little ostentatious, should add another national title to the three that Schnellenberger, Johnson and Erickson won in the past decade.

The team of the 1980s moves into the 1990s as the defending national champion. It will take a great effort to dethrone it.

“My expectations are high, so the pressure continues every year,” said Erickson, who coached the Hurricanes to the 1989 national title in his first year at the school. “Realistically, we know we are not going to win the national championship every year. But the pressure is still there.”

And so is the ability.

No. 1: MIAMI. Quarterback Craig Erickson, a prime Heisman Trophy candidate, is one of eight returning starters on offense. He’ll hand off to fullback Leonard Conley and pass to Randal Hill, Wesley Carroll and Rob Chudzinski.

The defense, which held opponents to 9.3 points per game, will be younger, but defensive tackle Russell Maryland is back to anchor the line. The Hurricanes are deep in linebackers and experienced on the corners. And then there is Carlos Hureta, one of the best placekickers in the country.

No. 2: NOTRE DAME. The Irish will break in a new quarterback (Rick Mirer, a 6-foot-3, 212- pound sophomore), a new offense (Mirer is a classic pocket passer) and try to put out rumors fired up by a Sports Illustrated article that suggests widespread use of steroids on the team.

The offense will miss five starters, including QB Tony Rice. But junior flanker Raghib Ismail is ready to fly. On defense, only one veteran returns to the secondary, but two players are back from the 1988 championship team: senior defensive tackle George Williams from academic suspension and senior linebacker Michael Stonebreaker after a disciplinary suspension.

No. 3: AUBURN. The Sporting News picked the Tigers to be No. 1. They could pull it off, with seven home games and nemesis Alabama in Birmingham. Coach Pat Dye has a veteran line to protect new quarterback Frank McIntosh and a “big play” defense, with nose guard Walter Tate (6-2, 306) and tackles David Rocker (6-4, 264) and Fernando Horn (6-5, 270).

No. 4: COLORADO. QB Sal Aunese died a year ago. His ghost is at rest. If the Buffaloes challenge for the national title, they’ll do it on their own by working overtime, following a 31-31 tie with Tennessee. QB Darian Hagan, a Heisman candidate, tailback Eric Bieniemy and linebackers Alfred Williams and Kanavis McGhee excel.

No. 5: FLORIDA STATE. Coach Bobby Bowden has a new lifetime contract, but hopes it doesn’t take that long to get a victory in a season opener. The last two years Bowden saw title hopes crushed by opening losses. Maybe this year the Seminoles can get it right against East Carolina. Bowden’s team has talent, but little experience. He says that’s better than no talent and a lot of experience.

No. 6: NEBRASKA. The only question is quarterback, where juniors Mickey Joseph and Mike Grant are dueling for the position vacated by Gerry Gdowski. The backfield is set with junior Leodis Flowers and Terry Rodgers, the son of former Nebraska Heisman winner Johnny Rodgers. The defense is anchored by linemen Kenny Walker and Joe Sims.

No. 7: VIRGINIA. With senior QB Shawn Moore and junior wide receiver Herman Moore, the Cavs expect more than last season’s tie for the Atlantic Coast Conference title. It has taken coach George Welsh eight years, but he has finally turned the Cavaliers into a powerhouse.

No. 8: HOUSTON. Defense? Who cares? Coach Jack Pardee is gone, but his offensive coordinator, John Jenkins, is in command. Junior QB David Klingler has stepped in for the departed Andre Ware, last season’s Heisman winner, and looks almost as good. The nation’s leading receiver, Manny Hazard (12.91 yards per catch), is back.

No. 9: MICHIGAN. Gary Moeller’s coaching ability may remain a secret for a while. With the talent-laden squad Moeller has, he might not have to do much. Sophomore quarterback Elvis Grbac, who made an impressive debut last season, is full time now. Eight starters return on defense.

No. 10: ILLINOIS. The Illini defense will be the key in the absence of quarterback Jeff George, who left Champaign for the NFL a year early. Nose tackle Moe Gardner, tackle Sean Streeter and linebacker Darrick Brownlow head the defense. Sophomore QB Jason Verduzco hopes to fill George’s shoes.

No. 11: WEST VIRGINIA. Underrated due to loss of quarterback Major Harris, the Mountaineers have a major change in personality going with senior QB Greg Jones. It’s called team unity. Familiar faces: Rico Tyler, Garrett Ford and Mike Beasley. Eye grabber: senior offensive tackle John Ray, at 6-10 and 330 pounds.

No. 12: CLEMSON. The Tigers have a big offensive line, a strong placekicker in Chris Gardocki, six starters back on defense and an untested quarterback in junior DeChane Cameron. The biggest question is how they will adjust to new coach Ken Hatfield.

No. 13: ALABAMA. Coach Gene Stallings may feel blessed, given his inheritance: Fifteen starters, 10 on offense, from last year’s Sugar Bowl team.

No. 14: PITTSBURGH. Pitt fans think they’ve had the talent for a national title for years. They expect coach Paul Hackett to deliver. Standouts are sophomore quarterback Alex Van Pelt and linebacker Ricardo McDonald.

No. 15: TENNESSEE. Last season Johnny Majors came within a hair of his second national title. This year, with 17 returning starters, the Vols remain close.

No. 16: TEXAS A&M.; Senior halfback Darren Lewis has a shot at All-America status if he remains healthy. If he does, the Aggies have a shot at the Southwestern Conference title.

No. 17: UCLA. Coach Terry Donahue is trying to forget last season’s 3-7-1 record. He’s hired former offensive wiz Homer Smith to call signals. Three new defensive coaches, plus transfers Arnold Ale (LB from Notre Dame) and Mike Chalenski (DE from Pitt) won’t hurt.

No. 18: HAWAII. Senior QB Garrett Gabriel makes the offense go. The defense remains strong. Visitors will find no gold in Rainbows’ end zone.

No. 19: USC. QB Todd Marinovich and tailback Ricky Ervins will have to carry the load until the defense shapes up.

No. 20: WASHINGTON. After 16 years with the Huskies, Coach Don James knows how to get the job done. If QB Mark Brunell works out, the defense will keep the Huskies in the Pac-10 race.

No. 21: LOUISVILLE. Veteran QB Browning Nagel continues to lead the Cards toward coach Howard Schnellenberger’s national championship dream.

No. 22: OHIO STATE. Coach John Cooper better shape this team into a Big Ten contender or get ready to ship out.

No. 23: BYU. The offense is ready with outstanding QB Ty Detmer and running back Matt Bellini. Time will tell if a defense will show up.

No. 24: PENN STATE. It is good the Nittany Lions have a few years to restock for the Big Ten. Still, it is Penn State.

No. 25: GEORGIA TECH. For the first time in his four years at Tech, coach Bobby Ross has a returning starter at quarterback--sophomore Shawn Jones.