Shreveport, LA (My Sportsbook) - It has been a long offseason for the Miami Hurricanes, who lost a heart-breaking overtime decision to Ohio State in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, spoiling an opportunity at a second straight national title. After almost nine months of stewing, Larry Coker's third-ranked Hurricanes finally get back on the field, as they open up the 2003 football season when they head to Shreveport to battle the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. After winning the national title in 2001, the Hurricanes ran the table last year (12 straight wins), until the loss to the Buckeyes in Tempe. Jack Bicknell's Bulldogs will open the 2003 campaign in their home away from home, Independence Stadium. Louisiana Tech won the WAC title in 2001, but regressed a year ago, going just 4-8, including a 3-5 mark in-conference. These two programs have met just twice before, with Miami winning both meetings. The Hurricanes posted a 42-31 decision at the Orange Bowl during the 2000 season and a tough 6-0 decision in the first-ever meeting in 1979 (also at the Orange Bowl).

A great deal of the offensive success that Miami has had over the last couple of seasons is gone, as Heisman candidates Ken Dorsey and Willis McGahee and standout wide receiver Andre Johnson have all moved on. Now it is time for Brock Berlin to take over under center. A transfer from the Florida Gators, Berlin returns home in the season-opener, as he is a Shreveport native. Although he has thrown less than 100 passes as a college quarterback, Berlin could become Miami's next great signal-caller. There is still a wealth of talent returning on the offensive side of the football. The best pass catcher on the team is not a wideout, but rather tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. Winslow is the best player at his position in the nation, after catching an impressive 57 balls, for 726 yards and eight scores in 2002. The wide receiving corps is loaded once again, led by Roscoe Parrish, Kevin Beard, and Jason Geathers. However, Parrish and Geathers will probably sit this one out due to nagging injuries. Tailback Frank Gore will try to duplicate the rushing exploits of McGahee. The squad's top running back has returned to the field after missing 2002 due to injury. Gore looks to be fully recovered and eager to prove that the 9.1 yards per carry that he averaged as a freshman in 2001 was accurate. As usual, the Miami tailback figures to find plenty of room to run behind a tremendously talented offensive line which ranks among the nation's best once again. Carlos Joseph and Vernon Carey are a pair of big blockers with major pro potential. Miami averaged 40.5 ppg and 467.2 ypg of total offense in 2002. While those numbers may not be duplicated, Miami won't be far off the mark.

Teams averaged less than 20 ppg and 300 ypg of total offense against the Miami defense last season, but the defensive line may not be up to last year's lofty standards. Gone are ends Jerome McDougle and Jamal Green, leaving the interior of the line as the strength of the unit. The tackle spot is highlighted by massive tackle Vince Wilfork. The comparisons to former Hurricane Warren Sapp will be heard all year long. At 6-2, 346 pounds, Wilfork is a mountain in the middle, with surprising agility. He will be teamed with redshirt freshman tackle Orien Harris (6-4, 294) and a great deal is expected of the youngster. The secondary and linebacking corps are in much better shape. The middle of the defense has a pair of Butkus Award candidates to lead the way. Jonathan Vilma is coming off a 133-tackle campaign, and although he is bit undersized for the middle (6-2, 223), he plays much bigger. Standout D.J. Williams, who finished with a team-high 16 TFLs as a junior, will be Vilma's wingman. The secondary is as good as it gets, with all four of last season's starters back in the fold. At corner, Antrel Rolle and Kelly Jennings are complete cover guys who actually enjoy contact. As for the safeties, Sean Taylor and Maurice Sikes were key for Coker last season. Both are among the best at their position nationally.

Louisiana Tech struggled on both sides of the football last season, but the offense did have some success. The Bulldogs averaged 26.7 points per game, but were a bit one-dimensional, resting their fortunes on the arm strength of quarterback Luke McCown. The offense churned out 417.9 yards of total offense per game, but 302.8 came via the pass. The 6-4, 200-pound McCown is poised for another big year, after completing almost 60 percent of his passes in 2002, for 3,539 yards and 19 TDs. Unfortunately, his interceptions (19) matched his TD total. His top two receivers return this year in the form of Chris Norwood (61 receptions, for 748 yards and four TDs) and D.J. Curry (57 receptions, for 730 yards and three TDs). Tailback Joe Smith (1,216 yards and 16 TDs) was solid at times last year, but he is gone, leaving Bicknell with a backfield- by-committee. Senior Ralph Davis averaged almost five yards a carry a year ago (4.9), but had just 11 attempts.

Defensively, the Bulldogs really struggled in 2002. Teams found the going quite easy, as they averaged 35.5 points per game, on 441.2 yards of total offense. Shoring up the run defense will be a key to the unit's success this year, as opponents averaged over four yards per carry in 2002 and 176.2 yards per game. Only three starters return on this side of the ball for LaTech, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Two of the top three tacklers return, including active safeties Michael Johnson (113 tackles) and Lee Johnson (83 tackles). Creating pressure on opposing QBs was another problem a year ago, as the team generated just 20 sacks on the season. It could be another long year for the Tech defensive front. There are several holes to fill, with the only returning starter being junior tackle Chris Van Hoy (51 tackles, one sack in 2002). A lot will be expected of the inexperienced players on the roster, as well as several transfers.

Miami may still feel the sting of losing to Ohio State for the national title and that certainly doesn't bode well for the Bulldogs in this one. The Hurricanes are retooled from last year and are definitely in the mix for another national championship. In front of a hometown crowd, Berlin should be able to move his team up and down the field with relative ease, as the Hurricanes get back to their winning ways with a convincing road win to kickoff the season.