Another slip up could prove to be this season’s tipping point.
Next up for Miami is a Duke team riding a five-game win streak. The Blue Devils are 7-2 overall and control their own destiny in the ACC Coastal Division. As a result, this weekend’s game against the Hurricanes now looms even bigger than the Blue Devils’ recent road upset of Virginia Tech.
Supporters of “The U” are a bit restless this week, and it has little to do with this Saturday’s opponent.
Barbs continue to be tossed at defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio, while quarterback Stephen Morris was heckled by fans clamoring for backup Ryan Williams to put down the clipboard and assume position under center.
While a “sky is falling” mentality presently permeates throughout Coral Gables, logic must eventually prevail.
The fact remains that Florida State is a few steps ahead of Miami, while Virginia Tech again proved fundamentally sound in the annual showdown. In a game where rain and turnovers were key elements, protecting the football was crucial.
The Hokies did so and the Hurricanes didn’t. Learn from it and move on.
This Miami squad certainly has its defensive issues, but the “talent versus scheme” debate isn’t going to be solved mid-November. Three regular-season games remain for the Hurricanes, and success in Durham—however it comes—is all that matters at this very moment.
Entering this season, Miami was 13-11 under third-year head coach Al Golden, who inherited a squad that went 28-23 in the four campaigns prior to his arrival. Throw three years of being in the NCAA’s crosshairs on top of that mess, and the Hurricanes are simply trying to regain their footing as a program.
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Let’s start the excuses for our our defense and NoD:
We don’t have talent
The NCAA cloud on recruiting
We’re not trusting the process enough
We’ve had a ton of injuries on defense (oh wait, that’s the offense)
It’s Morris’ fault
The scheme is perfect, our players just aren’t executing
We’re getting out-talented by VagTech, a Duke, and the like
F**k Donofrio (I refuse to refer to him as coach) & his pop warner scheme, and if Golden doesn't fire him, then f**k him too. We lost to Duke....freakin Duke. I thought this staff was supposed to be an upgrade over Shannon and co. Randy NEVER lost to Duke. GT lost as did VT, we were once again in the driver's seat and couldn't get it done. I'm over this staff. F**K THEM ALL!!!!!
Dear Al Golden,
We alumni had faith that you would turn the program around to be close to the dominance we experienced in the 1980's and 90's, and you have given us bright moments. However, this has been the low point in your coaching tenure, losing to Duke in a sport not involving a round ball. You need to forget you allegiances and fire Mark D'onofrio as your defensive coordinator. And NOW. I will cease to watch and support thiis football team as long as he remains a part of it.
George Fencl,
Class of 1976
USC, with an interim head coach and a roster that's been completely decimated by scholarship sanctions, beat the number 4 team in the country last night. Tell me again about Miami's depth and talent issues.