Remember that “hit list’’ the University of Miami football team had last year?
Florida State, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Notre Dame — teams that had beaten the Hurricanes in consecutive games in 2016 — were on it.
The Canes vowed to mow each down in 2017, and they did, winning the first 10 games before faltering in the last three against Pittsburgh, Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship and Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl.
Hurricanes defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, never shy about complimenting or criticizing his players, indicated Thursday that after an impressive spring, he believes his defense will likely be ready when some of those same teams in 2018 put the Canes on their list.