Fan Post: Why Miami needs to and should win this game

[BUMPED FROM THE SIDE. -- TGB]

Irrelevance simply sucks!  Miami has been irrelevant for 6 years.  Yes, 6 freakin’ years!  And it SUCKS!

Last year this team teased us.  They had the chance to put together a spectacular year.  Then they played GT, and the wheels on the bus did not go round and round, but simply came off.  Ugh!

To be clear, I blame coaching.  I blame Shannon, Nix, and Young.  I blame them all!  But this is a new year.  So we must start with a clean slate.

Insert clean slate…

Rambling about Miami vs FSU

The pre-season hype about this team seemed to indicate it was strong on the D.  Like most pre-season hype with Miami these days, it was wrong!  Miami’s D was shredded by FSwho.  Christian Ponder looked like a Heisman candidate – come on and give me a break!  It totally stunk.  I seriously question whether the D has what it takes, BUT watching Brandon Harris make tackle after tackle, including a TD saving one hander, and I have hope!  Aside from Colin, I was disappointed with the LB’s.  And the D-line?  Ugh!

But surprisingly, as bad or questionable as the D was, the O was improved and promising.  I’ll give credit where it is due – coaching.  Whipple has made a difference this year.  The O was spectacular to watch, and frightening at the same time.  You know, I don’t seem to recall seeing Miami try to run the clock out during this game.  Instead I saw them with a desire to win, a desire to score every possession.  I’d also like to point out that WR coach Hill has made strides with the WR’s.  They’re notably better!

So where do I think Miami stands?  Here’s how I graded the team after FSU:

Which leads us to tomorrow’s game – Miami vs. GT.

Miami vs GT

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a statement victory.  GT simply did not look strong against Clemson.  In fact, but for their trickery and illegal plays, Clemson could – no, should – have won that game! 

Let me not hide my thoughts, either.  I’ve never been a fan of the option, so I am not willing to elevate GT to such heights as so many others do in the media.  I think they caught people off guard last year, and this year everyone will catch up.  I can’t stand the idea that they win, and it pains me that they have beaten Miami 4 straight years. 

So while GT had GREAT success with the triple option last year, I believe Miami’s D should not be as discombobulated this year.  Shannon’s running it without conflict with Young.  So a Shannon-Levett D will likely perform notably better, because it will (or should) be in unison. 

The fact remains, though, that the team did tackle better in the FSU game than I’d seen in a long while.  Brandon Harris was a much improved player.  And Colin back at the LB spot makes a huge difference. This alone will make a difference in this game. 

I would also submit that Moncur’s return will also have a huge impact.  As you know, he was granted his 12th year of eligibility…  Clearly, he is a man among boys!  But if he can reestablish himself to 2007 form, Miami should be able to contain GT.  I also believe he will motivate young bucks like Bailey and Forston. 

However, if I’m being honest, I need to acknowledge that I do still have concerns with the D.  In the end, I expect GT to score somewhere in the 20-30 point range.  One mitigating factor in this, though, could be special teams.  If walk-on Uribe performs no better than Bosh did against FSU with “kickoff duties”, then Miami could be in trouble.  Giving the ball to GT at or near the 50 yard line every time would be dangerous.  Shannon better have his act together as a coach on special teams, and these kids need to perform!

With all that doom and gloom, let’s talk sunshine.  The O!!!  Right now, I can’t say enough about what I saw Miami do against FSU.  There is reason to be excited in Cane land that the O is coming back with a vengeance!  I was thoroughly impressed with Whipple’s game day coaching and the team’s general execution.  In fact, I nominate Whipple to rise to Head Coach from Assistant HC!

Boy wonder, Jacory, showed the nation why he was such a special talent at the ‘west.  He is unflappable, and an amazing competitor.  IF what he says about the offense barely scratching the playbook is true, then this should be an exciting year.  This team mixed it up, they were unpredictable, and played well.  This game will be a good indicator as to how well Whipple can adjust and avoid being predictable.  I expect huge things from this dynamic duo.

The larger questions for me on the O relate to RB’s and OL.  I was lukewarm about what I saw against FSU.  I’ll give credit to FSU for scheming well, and playing much better than I expected.  But the running game was not as solid as everyone has tried to sell it.  The OL did a good job protecting Jacory, but failed to open real holes for the running game.  We need to see this improve, and we need to see James get his rear in gear!

At the end of the day, though, I expect a high scoring game from the O, and given what I saw with GT last week, I think Miami could potentially score 40-50.  Candidly, I think they need to do that in order to overcome developmental issues on the D. 

Conclusions

Anything less than a victory in this game is a disaster.  There are no second chances.  Miami has one shot this year to reclaim relevancy, and unfortunately, it does not end with a win here.  It will continue until the end of the year.  Every game matters.  EVERY FREAKIN’ GAME!

So a loss to a mediocre team like GT will be unacceptable.  And, sadly, will relegate Miami to the sidelines.  However, a statement win, a win that puts GT in its place and demonstrates the dominance that will be coming with this team, will catapult Miami to a top 10 ranking.  Yes, a top 10 ranking.  Miami has an opportunity right now to seize the moment.  So stop messing around, turn the damn fire hose on, and shove it down GT’s throats!