We’ve heard all week that Kansas State has the top defense in the country and according to the NCAA stats, that’s true. However, Eastern Kentucky and Kent State aren’t exactly barn burners and helped pad some stats regarding the Wildcats’ 2-0 record.
Our old friend Arthur Brown is playing pretty well at linebacker for Kansas State, but I trust in Jedd Fisch to put a good plan together.
I expect another big dose of Lamar Miller this weekend. The redshirt sophomore is averaging over 150 yards per game on the ground so far this season and while Kansas State does have a pretty good defensive line, and Miami’s offensive line will have to play physical and blow some guys off of the line of scrimmage. Look out for defensive lineman Ray Kibble, who Miami players told us this week, is as good as it gets. He has seven tackles and a sack so far this season.
On offense Kansas State runs, what head coach Al Golden called, the “ride and decide”. It’s a spread option or read option offense and their quarterback Collin Klein does a good job running it. Klein is 22-for-39 passing, for 202 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also has 44 carries for 217 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
I feel a lot better about Miami’s defense facing a wacky offense with Sean Spence and Marcus Forston back on defense. We saw Spence in the middle a bit last week and it will be interesting to see where he lines up this Saturday.
Miami is a much better team than Kansas State on paper. The Wildcats don’t have the speed, nor the conditioning to keep up with the Canes in South Florida. The weather is already in the 50’s and 60’s in Kansas. It’s supposed to be a high of 90 in Miami on Saturday. Advantage Canes.
I think the Canes roll Saturday. Vegas says the Canes are a 11.5 pt favorite. I like Miami by more. I say Canes 34, Kansas State 17.
That’s my prediction. Here are some of yours via Twitter:
@BernardJoints – 34-13. A lot of build up bc of (Brown Bros) & we R gonna let it all out on them. BIG offense by the run game & Jacory impresses.
@aselvey – UM 28 KS 14. @millertime_6 has another big day and UM defense keeps Klein in check.
@McStudly – KSU 13 – UM 35 , Game will be close at half but UM speed,talent and depth will allow them to take over in the 2nd half.
@sjled83 – 31-14 Canes. Lamar Miller gets over 150. Spence keeps the defense nasty.
@brandoncane – Miami-38 KState-12. Miami’s given up 1 TD in their first 2 games vs MD/OSU. KState has played soft teams so far = not ready
@Bigduff14 – 45-20 Miami. Special teams gets a score and Travis gets 2 TDS.
@TheParish3000 – Miami 35 KSU 10. Miami is better than Eastern Kentucky, KSU worse than Ohio State.
@I_Simmons – 35-10 canes win. Miller 2td 175yds. Harris 250yds 2td 1int. travis 2td. 1 spteams and 1 rec.
@nlcharrison – miami- 31, k-state- 9 … lamar has a huge day again and the D holds k-state to field goals. (and hopefully J12 improves!)
… and we save the Mayor of the #CanesFam for last!
@CUTLERRIDGELAZ – Miami-38 K.State-17……Miami speed & talent make this one a mismatch. K State has NO ANSWER for #6….UM D has HUGE day.
As I replied to Chris’ post below, I predicted the Canes lose 24-21 due to turnovers and poor run defense. Unfortunately I was right. Miami had absolutely no answer for K-State’s QB, gave up yards in huge chunks, and played all around pathetic defense. As a final slap in the face, the offense could not generate a measly two yards on the goal line with a chance to win the game.
This team will not win 7 games this year. I know “negative” folks like me take a lot of flak because we’re so … well, negative. But the fact is that the result of this game was entirely predictable.
Maybe Coach Golden – assuming he stays after the NCAA hands down its crippling sanctions – can turn the program around in about 10 years (that is probably how long it will reasonably take given the poor quality of athletes coupled with probation).
Miami is starting to develop a culture of losing. Just like it takes years to build a program, it takes years to destroy one. Since 2003/4, this program has been on a noticable slide toward mediocrity. Blame Larry Coker, Randy Shannon, Nevin Shapiro, leprechans and unicorns – blame who you want, it doesn’t matter. It was obvious that in the 4th quarter, with the game on the line and an opportunity to win, this team did not believe they could or would win. They played slow and sloppy and it has come to the point where fans start to be surprised when they win.
It is so disheartening and sad to see. This team will not win 7 games this year, and I don’t say that with any sense of satisfaction. But the handwriting is on the wall and they have yet to prove me wrong over the last several years.
Unfortunately, i couldn’t agree more. I really dont see this team winning more than 5 games. Lets face it, this team doesn’t have athletes. Period. Its not coaching, its not the scheme, Miami just does not have play makers. We dont have one starter that would be starting on any of the top 25 teams. Golden has his work cut out for him. This rebuild will be tougher than his Temple rebuild.
Tuff loss! That said I like the passion and fight under Al Golden! I believe he will get this corrected!
Apparently they do indeed have a decent defense. And we have terrible play calling. Was Shannon and Whipple on the sidelines?
Horrible. Took my 5 yr old son to his first game. I Bought him a helmet and #6 jersey, he loves Lamar Miller. Sat in the end zone section and watched as the CANES “crapped the bed” on the goal line. Even my 5 yr old said, “When are they gonna wake up?”
I have faith in Coach Golden and the school. I am an Alum and loyal fan but I can’t take much more of the “Cardiac Canes”
Disgruntled Dad.
Jake,
How do you know we are going to get
sanctions? All I have read is in the last four years
the U had $3,600 total in improper benefits, big deal! Have you
read that the NCAA is going beyond the four year statue of
limitations?? Please advise…
A team they should beat handily and cannot. Play calling was terrible, only thing missing was typical penalties and no timeouts. I think Jake is right, this is going to be a long haul that’s if they ever get there.