Whatever the Miami Hurricanes road map is to get back to championship contention, it certainly doesn't go through super-easy out-of-conference games (unlike, say, those Gators). The Miami Herald reports that the Canes are in discussions to open the 2012 season against SEC powerhouse the Alabama Crimson Tide in Atlanta for a Chick-Fil-A kick off game.
"It's something we would be interested in," UM athletic director Kirby Hocutt says.
Alabama officials tell AL.com that they're aware of the report, but wouldn't indicate how serious the talks are.
That would be a huge opening statement for the Canes. Then again, who knows how powerful the Crimson Tide will be in 2012. This is a team coached by Nick Saban, after all.
We in Miami know all too well that guy has a habit of packing up and heading out the door every once in a while with little notice. If there's any justice in the sports world, Randy Shannon could be leading his Hurricanes against a Cam Cameron coached Tide (yes, football justice involves Shannon sticking around past 2010).
The Hurricanes have Penn on the schedule this year, Ohio State for the next two seasons, Cincinatti in 2012 (though a Brian Kelly-less Bearcats), and Florida in 2013. The Canes seem intent on making at least two big statements each season on their hopeful return to the top.
Hocutt also says that in addition to the Atlanta game, a neutral-site game in Chicago against a Big 10 or Big East team is also being considered.
While we're on the subject of future Canes scheduling, who would you like to see the team take on in the future. Personally, our dream involves a home and away with the USC Trojans, geography be damned.
