MKRob Sports

Miami Hurricanes junior quarterback Jacory Harris

The University of Miami football team will enter the 2010 season ranked No. 13 in the USA Today preseason coaches’ poll, it was announced Friday morning.

The `Canes, who are coming off a 9-4 campaign in 2009, opened camp on Thursday to begin preparation for their season-opener against Florida A&M on Sept. 2 at Sun Life Stadium.

Last season, Miami opened the year unranked in the USA Today poll and finished at No. 19. The last time the `Canes opened the season ranked this high was 2006, when UM was voted No. 11 in the coaches’ poll and No. 12 in the AP poll.

The Hurricanes return a number of key student-athletes to this year’s team, including All-America cornerback Brandon Harris, All-ACC defensive end Allen Bailey and junior quarterback Jacory Harris.

Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, Texas and Boise State make up the polls Top 5, while Virginia Tech, TCU Oklahoma, Nebraska and Iowa round out the Top 10. Oregon and Wisconsin rank just ahead of the `Canes at 11 and 12 respectively, while Penn State and Pittsburgh follow UM at No. 14 and No. 15.

Six of the preseason Top 25 are on Miami’s schedule this year: No. 2 Ohio State, No. 6 Virginia Tech, No. 15 Pitt, No. 17 Georgia Tech, No. 18 North Carolina and No. 20 Florida State.

The coaches’ poll is part of the BCS formula used to determine its national champion.