OPINION: While it’s tempting to call Cam Ward the difference-maker heading into the season, all eyes should be on the revamped trenches

The shiny new pieces on Miami’s offense are portal additions QB Cam Ward, RB Damien Martinez and WR Sam Brown. Ward is a Heisman candidate who led the nation’s No. 4 passing offense last year at Washington State and passed up being a mid-round NFL draftee to play for the Canes. Martinez is a proven 1,000 yard rusher and NFL talent from Oregon State, and Brown was Houston’s go-to threat last year when he sped by defenses for 815 yards.

With top WRs Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George back, plus a healthy TE Elijah Arroyo joined by true freshman standout H-back Elija Lofton, the sky appears to be the limit for this offense, right?

Fans love to love the skill position guys.

But it’s usually the big uglies, as they’re called by many, that lay the groundwork for the speedy downfield threats to make their plays.

And that’s even moreso the case on offense for this year’s Miami team. Because you KNOW that with time to throw Ward will find one of those talented pass catchers open.

And you KNOW with a push up front that Martinez will do a great job picking his holes and then exploding through them for positive yards and explosive plays.

Those guys are proven quantities in the roles that they fill.

What is less of a known quantity is if the offensive line will be as good or better than last year’s after losing one of the nation’s top centers in Matt Lee, plus the departure of starting left guard Javion Cohen. Miami replaced Lee with Indiana multi-year starter Zach Carpenter, who has been good enough in practices and has experience. And the battle is ongoing at left guard where Matthew McCoy or perhaps Samson Okunlola appear most likely to be the fifth starter. They join returning starters Jalen Rivers, Anez Cooper and Francis Mauigoa, who all showed last year they can get the job done at a high level.

How that line comes together and gels starting with the Florida game will have everything to do with Miami’s offensive success. If they aren’t protecting well, then those fumbling issues Ward had in the past could pop up (he’s had 46 fumbles in four years per Pro Football Focus). Let’s not forget that Ward led the nation’s No. 4 passing offense last season despite being sacked 37 times, including six times at Cal and Oregon. Think about how much better he will be with good protection.

Also, if the line isn’t opening holes, then it will be hard for the run game to take pressure off the passing game.

It all starts up front, right?

And the same goes on the defensive side, where only one full-time starter from last year returns, freshman All-American end Rueben Bain. If the revamped D line doesn’t quickly get pressure, then a suspect secondary could be exposed. It’s why you saw Mario Cristobal add so many defensive pieces up front in the portal – DTs Marley Cook and CJ Clark along with rush end Elijah Alston in the first portal window, and DT Simeon Barrow and DE Tyler Baron in the second window. Akheem Mesidor’s return to the field off injury is also big, as he’s been called the best player on defense by coaches in fall camp.

If the defensive line is dominant, it will make the rest of the defense look that much better. The line can open gaps for the linebackers to shoot, and sacks/forced fumbles are always at a premium.

So while it might be tempting to simply keep all eyes on Ward and the guys with the ball in their hands come Aug. 31, in truth the push up front on both sides of the ball is probably the most important aspect for this team.

That sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.

The bottom line is if Miami can win the line of scrimmage consistently in games, that makes it oh-so-much-easier for the talent at the other positions to shine.

And that’s how you win 10+ games for the second time in the last two decades.

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