Dave Hyde calls out Mark Whipple…

The Sun Sentinel’s Dave Hyde continues to be a voice a reason.

I remain a big fan of Dave’s work for two reasons. First, he’s a stellar sportswriter but second, because he chooses his words carefully and doesn’t just write to write. When he chimes in on the Miami Hurricanes, be it a player, the coaching staff or the state of the program, he’s always poignant.

Hyde’s not writing to meet a deadline or to fill space. He writes because he seems something that needs to be addressed. His target this week; offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and Hyde nailed it:

“He [Whipple] has a veteran offensive line. He has four, maybe even five, running backs who could play in the NFL. His regular quarterback (Harris) has shown a penchant for mistakes (28 interceptions in the past 20 games). He brought in two quarterbacks with little to no experience after Harris was hurt Saturday and had them heave the ball all over the field even before the score made it necessary.”

(Editor’s Note: Hyde took it a step further a day later, following with a piece titled “It’s time for coach Randy Shannon to rein in Mark Whipple”.)

No one is questioning Whipple’s offensive mind – just his decision-making at times. Hyde points out specific examples of Whipple abandoning a successful running game, while going back to the pass – often times asking too much of his frail quarterback.

In Miami’s first two losses of the season, Whipple focused on winning with Harris’ arm, as opposed to leaning on the ground game. Jacory Harris had 39 attempts in Columbus (four interceptions) and 47 against Florida State (albeit the Canes were playing from behind all night).

What is Whipple’s offensive philosophy? One and a half seasons in, it’s still hard to tell.

On some levels, there seems to be a bit of ‘mad genius’ beneath the surface. Whipple has a I-AA national championship under his belt, as well as his NFL pedigree and Super Bowl ring. He comes off as the type of playcaller who will push his agenda instead of calling a game that exploits an opponent’s defense, while playing to his offense’s strengths.

Hyde points out Whipple’s playcalling on the first Harris-less drive when Spencer Whipple was under center. Out the gate, a brilliant reverse to Travis Benjamin which went for 36 yards. With a new quarterback in the game and a stable of backs, Virginia absolutely sold on Miami running up the middle. Instead, Whipple was one step ahead and pulled out a game-changing play – which is exactly what you want out of an offensive coordinator.

Graig Cooper and Damien Berry picked up 13 yards on back to back runs, but when faced with a 2nd and 10 from the UVA 15, a pass was called with an inexperienced passer under center (six attempts for the younger Whipple entering last weekend – all in mop-up duty).

Down 14-0, Miami needed points. Even a field goal would’ve been a moral victory – and in the end, a difference-maker. The Canes wound up losing 24-19, leaving a missed two-point conversion and missed extra point on the field. Had UM at least gotten three on that first Harris-less drive, the late Benjamin touchdown would’ve tied things 24-24.

As always, when a team fails to meet expectations and sits at 5-3 (instead of 8-0 or at worst, 7-1) rumors continue flying.

Word out of Coral Gables this past week had to do with the redshirt of quarterback Stephen Morris, a recruit hand-picked by Whipple as someone he felt could run the offense.

For months fans have attempted to break down the body language of Whipple and Randy Shannon, as well as that of Whipple versus Harris. Many feel Harris is Shannon’s pet, but isn’t the guy what Whipple wants under center. Conspiracy theories continue unraveling from there.

How do other players feel about Harris? Some point to the lack of teammates celebrating with him after a score, him sitting solo on the sidelines or the fact that other Canes didn’t rush to his side when knocked out last week.

The only saving grace right now? The fact that much of this is going to come out in the wash. As much as no one wanted to see Harris hurt, Morris is this week’s starting quarterback and some good can come from that.

Does Whipple finally have ‘his guy’ in the game and if so, what will that do for this week’s playcalling?

Will Morris get more out of a group of wideouts that was supposed to be this team’s strong suit entering fall?

Furthermore, when Harris does return, how does he respond to Morris’ footsteps and the fact he finally has some competition for the first time in a year and a half?

Hell, what if Morris becomes the guy and Harris gets fazed out? Crazier things have happened.

There are a million and one reasons for Miami’s erratic play this season, but if there is any truth to Whipple’s issues with Harris or the fact that teammates haven’t seen eye-to-eye with the junior quarterback, could this be addition by subtraction?

Not to mention, a green quarterback making his first start means (1) relying more on a solid running game and (2) a stripped down playbook as Whipple can’t ask too much out of the newbie. Crazy as it sounds, both could actually play into the Canes’ favor if UM executes with four games remaining.

In what’s already been a topsy-turvy season, this final month of football just got that much crazier. Time will tell if that’s good or bad.

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