A quarterback exodus. Randy Shannon in coaching-contract limbo. A player's jaw broken when he was cold-cocked by a teammate in the locker room. Injuries. Adaptation to the schemes of new offensive and defensive coordinators.

What we have at the University of Miami is turbulence.

But what's unusual about that? And what's wrong with that? Anyone who follows Hurricane football does so with seat belt securely fastened.

A wild ride is much more fun than a tame one.

What has been lost amid the typical preseason diversions is that UM will be a better team in 2009.

It already is a better-behaved team than rivals Florida and Florida State. No arrests or cheating scandals here. Shannon runs a tight ship.

With 10 days until the boffo season opener at FSU, the sense of urgency that has enveloped the UM program is piercing it. Practices have been moved to 5:45. That's a.m. Which means UM players are waking up when other college students are nodding off and breaking huddles with cries of ``cock-a-doodle-doo!''

Everyone wants to make amends for the 0-3 finish of last season immediately. Everyone wants to improve Shannon's 12-13 record ASAP. Everyone wants to reverse the 19-19 record of the past three years right now.

The renaissance can begin Sept. 7 in Tallahassee, where UM won in 2007.

In fact, UM is 15-11 against FSU since Howard Schnellenberger's championship season, and UM is 7-6 against FSU in hostile and electric Doak Campbell Stadium in that span of time, with enough bizarre twists to put Bobby Bowden in a straitjacket.

Expectations are high for a team that never found its groove last season with an awkward two-quarterback system and colander defense.

Any slack afforded Shannon is being reeled in, especially at UM, where the dynastic era (five national titles from 1983 to 2001) seems more distant by the day and where fundraising leaps with a top-10 ranking.

Anxious and genius Canes fans obviously know more about strategy and personnel than Shannon, who has spent nearly 20 of his 43 years coaching or playing at UM.

But he loves the challenge, and he has imparted that feeling to his players.

``We don't look at it as pressure but as opportunity -- an opportunity to show ourselves and show we can come out of adverse situations,'' said Chavez Grant, aka Grass Hoppa, defensive back and one of the team's senior leaders. ``Physically we're always good, but we have really improved mentally. Guys know what to expect.

``Coach Shannon may fuss us out and guys just come right back and respond.''

Last year the response was often confusion and retreat. Young UM lacked snarl power.

``A lot of people will write us off and say we need at least another year of rebuilding,'' receiver LaRon Byrd said. ``We've had some down years, but we're not rebuilding anymore. We're reloading.''

This year, the players are weathering the waves with confidence. Backup quarterbacks Cannon Smith and Taylor Cook transferred earlier this week, realizing they would be playing behind sophomore Jacory Harris for three years.

Adewale Ojomo is out with a broken jaw, and Eric Moncur continues his battle with injuries -- two big dents in the defensive line.

Shannon is in the third year of a four-year deal that UM has not extended, which makes for nebulous conversations with recruits.

NO DARK CLOUDS

``It gets kind of cloudy sometimes,'' safety Randy Phillips said. ``I tell the guys we can only control our attitude and effort.

``We have no say-so on coach Shannon's contract -- but I have never seen him as relaxed and calm as he is now. He rarely has to raise his voice or punish people because everyone has matured.''

That maturity has manifested itself in a smooth offense with big-play receivers, consistent running backs and a harder-hitting defense that finishes tackles and forces many more turnovers -- at least in practice.

Will it be enough for UM to break out of its middle-of-the-ACC-pack rut and earn time and trust for Shannon?

It's dark at 5:45 a.m., but illumination is coming.