Miami coach Randy Shannon abhors distractions, which he loosely defines as any negative issue that can invade the psyche of his team.
And his decision to suspend seven players, including starting quarterback Robert Marve, for Thursday's opener against Charleston Southern would seem to qualify as a distraction.
Only he doesn't see it that way.
``It's about how you handle adverse situations,'' Shannon said. ``You deal with them, you stay focused on the biggest product which is what you're trying to get done, and then you move forward.''
Regardless of whether or not Shannon thinks the suspensions will affect his program, oddsmakers aren’t in favor of Miami’s chances this season. Oddsmakers from online sports book SBG Global have made the Hurricanes a 60/1 long shot to win the 2009 BCS National Championship.
Oddsmakers clearly feel that Miami has a better shot to win the ACC Costal Division. The Hurricanes’ odds have been established at 5/2 to win their division.
Some of the Hurricanes players feel that the suspensions of their teammates will become an issue.
``To be honest, I believe it might be a distraction,'' defensive back Chavez Grant said. ``I believe a couple of guys may take it as a distraction, may take it as, 'Man, they should have told us a little earlier.' But the more mature guys are like, 'OK, whatever.' We'll move on.''