They were supposed to be the weakest link of the offense, too short-handed and too inexperienced to handle the speed and talent of four nationally ranked opponents to start the season.

Two games into that tough stretch, the University of Miami offensive line hasn't just answered its doubters, it is as big a reason as any why the ninth-ranked Hurricanes (2-0) are heading into Saturday's game at No. 11 Virginia Tech (2-1) favored to win.

``In the summer people were doubting the [offensive line], saying that was the weak spot of the team,'' UM quarterback Jacory Harris said. ``But I knew that wasn't the case. We have a great front seven on defense and every day in practice nobody would touch me. I look on film now and nobody is around me.

``To be honest, they kind of make me feel like I'm back in high school. I don't even look at the defensive line rush.''

Tackles Jason Fox and Matt Pipho, guards Harland Gunn, Joel Figueroa and Orlando Franklin and center A.J. Trump have provided bodyguard-like security for Harris. In two games, he has been sacked once and hit one other time.

``We're playing pretty special right now,'' said Fox, who along with Trump and Franklin were the only returning players with double-digit games of starting experience.

``But still, I think Jacory is making a bunch of plays, our receivers are making a lot of plays, and our running backs are running the ball. We can make them look good, but they can also make us look good. I think last game might have been the best the O-line has played since I've been here. But we're not perfect.''

Maybe not perfect, but a lot better than most expected.

Gunn, a redshirt sophomore from Nebraska who is considered one of the strongest players on the team, and Pipho, a fifth-year senior from Iowa with aspirations of becoming a radiologist, started for the first time in their careers against Florida State. And against Georgia Tech, both had to keep their eyes on preseason ACC Defensive Player of the Year Derrick Morgan. He didn't get close to Harris once.

``He stepped up to the challenge,'' UM offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland said of Pipho. ``When you challenge a guy, you check for body demeanor, expressions early in the week. He never showed any signs of being nervous or being uncomfortable with it.''

CHEMISTRY BUILT EARLY

Building confidence -- and endurance -- is something Stoutland began focusing on in the spring. Knowing he would likely have to start the season with only six players in his rotation because of the youth and inexperience of the six remaining linemen, Stoutland had his veterans handle more snaps than usual in practice.

That helped build chemistry quicker, according to Franklin. But the improvement in blocking responsibilities -- across the board -- was a product of the arrival of Mark Whipple.

The Canes' new offensive coordinator created a ``mental errors list,'' according to Fox, that made everyone accountable for blocking mistakes.

``There are times in the past a guy would have a mental bust or mental error, and we kind of shrugged it off,'' Fox said. ``Coach Whip has changed that. In camp, the first couple days that thing would be two pages long. Now, it's just two or three plays for every position on offense. That's one thing he stressed, not to make mental errors.''

WHIPPLE AIDS O-LINE

Whipple has used unbalanced lines -- lining up Fox next to Pipho -- and max-protection schemes -- with tight ends and running backs staying in to block -- to aid in pass protection.

Pipho said all of it has helped the Canes offensive line, but maybe not as much as Whipple's unique play-calling.

``Coach Whipple does an amazing job,'' Pipho said. ``When I'm watching football of other games, I'll be like, `They're going to run a draw here. It's obvious.' But with Coach Whipple, I'll be sitting in the huddle, a play call will come in and I'll be like, `Damn, I never thought we'd run that.' It's like, `I never thought of that.'

``If offensive players don't even know what type of play is going to be run, then as a defensive player you have no idea what's going to come. And they need to have an idea of what we're going to run to have a step on us. They haven't had that and it's helped us out a lot.''

What UM could also have soon is a deeper rotation on the line. Stoutland said sophomore Tyler Horn ``could play right now,'' and said freshman Brandon Washington ``isn't far away'' either.

``Our guys have done a good job so far, but the season isn't going away,'' Stoutland said. ``We're going to need those guys -- all of them.''