Get to know Miami with Juan Toribio of CanesWarning.com

Let’s get to know Miami football with Juan Toribio of CanesWarning.com. Canes Warning is Miami’s home on the FanSided Network. Check out Toribio’s work on his site for more coverage of today’s game between the Tar Heels and Hurricanes!

Keeping It Heel’s questions are first, followed by Toribio’s answers.

Q: What has been Miami’s best game this season and their worst?

A: Virginia Tech was definitely Miami’s best game this season. Duke Johnson alone had more total yards than the Hokies offense and the defense came a minute and a half from a shutout on the road. The worst game to me was the Georgia Tech game. The defense couldn’t get off the field and the offense turned the ball over twice deep into Georgia Tech territory. That’s definitely a game Miami could’ve and probably should’ve won.

Q: Who is one player that Tar Heel fans should keep their eyes on during the game Saturday? (other than Duke Johnson)

A: Well, since I can’t say Duke Johnson, I’ll go with Miami’s other explosive playmaker, and that’s Phillip Dorsett. Dorsett is the fastest guy on the team (ran a 4.2 during camp) and he’s improved as a receiver. He can easily pop off a 70-yard run and he’ll do it with ease. Brad Kaaya has developed a really nice connection with Dorsett and they’ll be looking to link up down the field a couple of times on Saturday.

Q: How has quarterback Brad Kaaya played this season?

A: I think we all had certain expectations on Brad Kaaya this season and through 8 games, he’s exceeded them all. Kaaya is poised, smart and he has a hell of an arm. To put things in perspective, he was graduating high school in May and just became the first true freshman quarterback to win at Blacksburg since 1998. Miami has a really good one for the next three to four years.

Q: What makes running back Duke Johnson such a special player?

A: Well, there’s just nothing he can’t do. He’s already the Miami all-time leader in scrimmage yards and wherever the Canes coaches put him, he makes plays. As a runner, he has great vision and his cuts are disgusting. Once he gets into the open field, he’ll shake you off or he’ll give you a wicked staff arm. He’s also been used a lot more in the passing game this season and has caused havoc for opposing defenses. He’s tied for second on the team in receptions. Oh and he’s less than 500 rushing yards away from being the all-time rushing leader in Miami. And that’s a pretty good list.

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Q: Who do you think wins and why?

A: I think Miami will get a win on Saturday. I think Miami’s offense is going to pick apart UNC’s defense and although UNC will probably do the same against Miami’s defense, I think they’ll make enough plays to stay on top. It’s going to be a good environment (hard to believe, I know) with homecoming being on Saturday and Miami honoring Jim Kelly at halftime. With all that, I think this is going to be a wild shootout but I have Miami winning 45-35.

Thanks to Juan for joining Keeping It Heel today!