Toledo feels like a second season opener for Miami Hurricanes

LAKE BUENA VISTA - The schedule says Week 4, but it sure doesn't feel that way for the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes.

"It's like opening the season again," defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said Tuesday.

That's because UM, like Florida State, had two games postponed/canceled because of Hurricane Irma. The 'Canes are still dealing with the storm's aftermath. The team was dismissed two weeks ago to prepare for the storm, and it didn't reconvene until Friday - and not at home. The 'Canes don't return to class next week, and they're practicing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex and staying in a hotel on Orlando's International Drive.

I'll have more on Miami coming later, but here's one interesting football wrinkle to the situation: This week's opponent, Toledo, has a high-powered offense (16th nationally at 46 points per game) that can up the tempo. That sounds like trouble for a talented Miami defense that could be rusty and a little out of shape given the time off.

"Some of the same issues that you have with opening games, you kind of feel..." Diaz said before Tuesday's practice. "We have to kind of be in midseason form Saturday at 3:30, no excuses."