Miami head football coach Al Golden joined WDAE's Sports Page Monday morning to kick off our week of previewing the state's college football teams.

Golden sounded optimistic after the team's first official scrimmage of the spring, and updated us on the competition at the running back and quarterback positions.

He was asked how the recent recruiting scandal has affected the program. Wjhile Golden acknowledged an affect, he took a postiive angle, saying it has served as a "filter" and that only recruits who truly want to play in Coral Gables are committing now. 

“We’ll get through this.  Miami always has.  We’ll bounce back” Golden said.  “We don’t need any help.  We don’t need any boosters or anything.  Just leave us alone and let us run this thing.”

Golden went on to say that the investigations by the NCAA have affected recruiting to the university.

“I think certainly it’s had an effect on recruiting.  But I also think that there is a filter built in that you know what you’re getting” Golden said.  “There’s a nice filter there because the kids that are coming to us, they want to be a part of it.  We’re seeing that right now with this freshman class on the field right now.”

While the offseason provided teams leaving and entering multiple conferences, Golden said he welcomes the challenges of Pittsburgh and Syracuse entering the ACC.

“You’re talking about adding some high media market teams, we really have gone from Boston to Key West in terms of the ACC.  I think that is going to make a lot stronger.”

No matter who they are playing, Golden ended by saying he expects the most from all of his players no matter how experienced they may be.

“It doesn’t matter to me if they’re freshmen or seniors, they are going to have to play to a standard that’s winning football games set here a long time ago here at Miami.”

Miami begins its season Sept. 1 at Boston College.