Complex sentence: Miami had been the ACC media preseason favorite to win the conference, but recorded a 6-6 regular season that was also marred by a brawl at FIU and the murder of defensive lineman Bryan Pata.
Split into simpler sentences: Miami had been the ACC media preseason favorite to win the conference, but in the regular season, posted a 6--6 record. The season was also marred by a brawl during the FIU game and the murder of defensive lineman Bryan Pata.