When it came time for the media to select the Preseason ACC Player of the Year, there was overwhelming support forBoston College running back Montel Harris. It didn't come as a huge surprise, the senior is 1,003 yards away from becoming the conference's all-time leading rusher. Harris recorded 1,242 yards in 2010, and 1,457 the season before that - so it's not unreasonable to think that he'll chase the record if he can stay healthy. But even with the record in his sights, Harris says that the backfield should be much more diverse in 2011."I'm not expecting 30 carries a game, we've got too many good running backs with myself, Harris told media on Sunday. "We should be splitting carries and also spreading the ball around a lot. You should see a lot of new faces in the end zone this year."
But one game where Harris might not mind seeing 30 carries will be against Florida State. Harris has played exceptionally well against the Seminoles across his career, and on Sunday he revealed one of the inspirations for his extra effort.
"That's my dad's favorite team," Harris said about Florida State. "I always wanted to put put the best numbers I can against them to make him proud. Even though I didn't get to go to his favorite team.
"I would think of it as a chip on my shoulder, they didn't even give me a look so I wanted to show them what they were missing every time we played them."
He'll get his chance to shine against the Seminoles on national television this season. Florida State travels to Chestnut Hill to play the Eagles in primetime on Thursday night in early November. Hindsight is 20-20, and I guarantee that more that just Florida State wishes they would have offered a scholarship to the Jacksonville, FL native. Nationally, Harris' 3,600 career rushing yards leads all returning players heading into the 2011 season.
