Expectations in August don’t always mesh with what’s delivered come December.
Conversations and written exchanges with supporters of “The U” months back had many fans admittedly thrilled if Miami wrapped the regular season somewhere between 8-4 and 10-2—especially based on the past decade of disappointment.
Furthermore, Hurricane faithful were on pins and needles, ready for a two-plus-year NCAA investigation to come to and end—and hopefully with an optimum or at least tolerable result.
Three years ago the phrase “death penalty” was tossed around casually and there was a fear that Mark Emmert and his cronies were going to make an example of UM, burying the once-renegade football program for good.
With the 2013 regular season in the books, Miami worked to achieve a 9-3 record—it’s best finish since 2009—and managed to top No. 12 Florida, a must-win game against the elitist Gators, who again chose to put the rivalry on hold indefinitely.
There were a few comeback wins Atlantic Coast Conference showdowns, where character was shown and Miami grew up a little bit each game. The Hurricanes managed to achieve a 7-0 start, rose to No. 7 in the polls (albeit a result of winning when others lost) and showed if nothing else, that “The U” was inching its way back to glory.
Miami was served a harsh reality check when No. 1 Florida State rolled, 41-14 in early November—which proved “acceptable” as the Seminoles are a few years ahead of the Hurricanes in the rebuild, won the ACC title and are headed to the national championship game.
Harder to swallow; back-to-back losses against Virginia Tech and Duke. The Hurricanes’ special teams gave one away against the Hokies, while porous defense and a lack of execution on offense was a difference-maker against the Blue Devils. (Note: Miami managed 565 yards at Duke, yet only 23 offensive points, settling for three red zone field goals.)
The defensive struggles continued late against Virginia and Pittsburgh, but Miami’s offense was rejuvenated thanks to a healthy, back-to-form Stephen Morris as well as the steady play of Allen Hurns and explosiveness of Stacy Coley.
The Hurricanes haven’t been the same team offensively since losing Phillip Dorsett at North Carolina and Duke Johnson at Florida State, but as the season wound down, Miami tinkered with what it had, found a new identity and put up 40-plus points in back-to-back wins.
Next up for Miami, a Russell Athletic Bowl showdown against Louisville, full of intriguing subplots. The Cardinals boast a handful of 305-bred athletes—a few of which were originally Hurricanes commits.
Miami Northwestern quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, wide receiver Eli Rogers and linebacker Keith Brown, as well as Homestead linebacker James Burgess Jr. all appeared destined to wear the orange and green, but had last-minute changes of heart, for different reasons.
There’s also the Clint Hurtt effect—a former Miami defensive lineman, turned assistant who is now a position coach and chief recruiter for the Cardinals. Hurrt was a major player in the recent NCAA investigation, leaving a mess in his wake and trekking to the Bluegrass State to start fresh while Miami lived for years in wait-and-see mode.
Al Golden and staff recruited for years with one arm tied behind their collective back, while Hurtt worked his hardest to poach South Florida’s best talent.
One more game and Golden’s third season will officially be in the books. A handful of Canes are set to move on, while a new crop will soon call Coral Gables home.
A boatload of defensive talent is set to get on board and the Canes have some future offensive superstars ready to play their part, as well. With a few last-minute commitments or switches, Miami’s ranking could jump even higher.
10-3 and 9-4 aren’t a world apart, but for momentum-sake, closing with a win is a must. Miami would end the year on a three-game win-streak, while capturing it’s first bowl victory since the 2006 season, taking some much-needed positivity into the new year.
With the holiday season upon us and the Russell Athletic Bowl days away, some random thoughts, hopes and musings for the U FAMILY:
While the knee-jerk reaction of this fan base is to continue ranting and raving about issues with the defense, the focus should shift to thankfulness as the season is days from coming to a close.
Miami is back in the postseason, which wasn’t a gimmie a few months back, as the NCAA investigation dragged on. That in itself is cause for joy. Furthermore, the investigation itself finally came to a close—and with optimum results, based on what could’ve been.
A nine-win regular season took place and the Canes knocked off the Gators. Doesn’t matter that Florida fell apart down the stretch.
When Miami topped Florida, players like Jeff Driskel, Dominique Easley and Matt Jones were in full force and the Gators were the twelfth-ranked squad in the nation, coming off a BCS appearance and 11-2 finish. Weeks after that loss, Florida began to unraveled.
“The U” has some work to do before officially being “back”, but it’s on the right track. When you think of Miami in 2006 when Larry Coker was fired or 2010 when the plug was pulled on the Randy Shannon experiment, there’s a sense that the corner has been turned.
The right kids are getting back on board, conditioning is again a premium and as far as head coach, the Canes have a true leader and CEO with a vision.
How far Golden takes things remains to be seen, but there’s reason for optimism and continued support. Especially considering what the former Temple leader walked into, chose to ride out and character he displayed through the entire process.
Some extra bowl game intrigue as Miami fans have yet to see Golden in the postseason with the Hurricanes. How will this inaugural bowl outing unfold?
Weeks back the third-year head coach stated that all positions were wide open, in order to promote competition and extra effort over the 18 bowl practices the program was allotted.
Which Miami will show up? Will the defensive scheme have any new wrinkles with 19 days to prepare? Who on this roster will rise to the challenge in effort to close strong and set a tone for next year?
A handful of upperclassmen Hurricanes will play their final game for “The U”, while some heralded underclassmen might’ve worked their way up the depth chart.
However it plays, it’s the first bowl game in the Golden era and again, should warrant excitement and optimism rather than criticism and pessimism.
Lots of talk about Bridgewater as the quarterback to watch in this postseason match-up. Makes you wonder what Morris is thinking. The senior had a strong junior campaign, but struggled due to a nagging injury this season.
Fully healthy and with almost a month off, it’s hard not to expect Morris to show up ready—and with something to prove. Yes, the Bridgewater hype is deserved, but Morris has been greatly overshadowed.
The nation will be watching a bowl game between two pretty good teams, but for locals it’s a kid from Miami Northwestern going up against a kid from Monsignor Pace. There’s a hometown rivalry at stake, as well as some competitiveness between two quality kids.
Morris had a tough four-game stretch midseason, throwing eight picks to six touchdowns. Since then, a nine-touchdowns to two-interception ration. No. 17 also throw for 324 yards against Virginia Tech, 379 yards at Duke and close with a 296-yard performance at Pittsburgh.
One game remains. Here’s hoping Morris brings his best and outplays the guy earning all the headlines.
Curious which Miami running back steps up as the audition for the number two slot behind Johnson is up for grabs next season.
Dallas Crawford exploded at North Carolina, carrying 33 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns, but has been relatively quiet since. Crawford did go for 115 yards at Duke, but only has 77 yards on 30 carries the past two games.
Gus Edwards looks primed for bigger things and a strong bowl showing could elevate his status next spring, while Eduardo Clements simply looks to close strong as his senior campaign comes to a close.
Miami looks to have Joseph Yearby and Brandon Powell headed to Coral Gables in fall and the Canes could still land the heralded Dalvin Cook. In other words, competition is going to heat up big time, so Crawford and Edwards need to make the most of their final outing this weekend.
Wondering if there’s any bowl game trickery up the sleeve of James Coley. A year ago, offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch seems to work a special play into every game plan. This year, Coley has run the occasional reverse, but not much more.
Crawford played quarterback in high school. Any chance he gets a chance to throw? Dorsett is also set to return. Anything in the mix for him?
Getting to ball to freshman-sensation Coley in space has been coordinator Coley’s go-to play late this year. Safe to assume Louisville will be on the lookout for that. Any other ways to use No. 3 that haven’t yet been tapped?
Bowl season is that final hurrah. Have some fun, work in some wrinkles and take some chances that aren’t optimum during the regular season, in conference with a division title on the line.
Curious if Saturday will be the final time linebacker Denzel Perryman suits up for Miami.
Having become a new father months back, the need to get busy earning is understandable. Perryman has been projected as a third round pick in April’s NFL Draft, though the junior has openly admitted that his overall game needs more work.
It’s also been mentioned that defensive end Anthony Chickillo is going through the standard procedure of checking his draft stock and while it should be a no-brainer to return, message boards burned up weeks back regarding Chickillo family frustration with the defensive scheme and how the third-generation-Hurricane is being used.
Earlier today Susan Miller Degnan also reported that junior tight end Clive Walford another new father, is weighing his eligibility options, as well. Walford was quoted as saying he doesn’t plan to drag out the process and will make his decision on Saturday night.
Miami obviously is better off if both return and while both should, crazier things have happened. Just look at the mass exodus after the 2011 season when Marcus Forston, Olivier Vernon, Lamar Miller, Brandon Washington and Tommy Streeter jumped ship early.
While things worked out well enough for Miller and Vernon (both could’ve been much higher picks had they stayed one more year), things haven’t worked out as well for Forston, Washington and Streeter—all former Northwestern standouts and part of the heralded 2008 class.
Wishing Perryman, Chickillo and Walford the best, whatever they choose.
Lastly, with “Signing Day” about six weeks out, here’s hoping that fans put the focus on those who sign up to play for Miami instead of lamenting the ones who go elsewhere.
The insanity that revolves the practice of college football recruiting has gotten downright scary—and the University of Miami isn’t immune. The over the top behavior of SEC fans has trickled down to Coral Gables and fans will do an 180° on a kid, should his allegiance to “The U” shift at the final hour.
Days back Miami was in the running for local 4-star wide receiver Johnnie Dixon. Fans were fawning all over the kid … until he put on that scarlet and gray “O” hat and chose the Buckeyes. Within moments, the online venom began to spew.
A quick reminder that these are teenagers making the biggest decisions of their lives—and doing so with adult coaches, handlers, relatives and friends all pushing or pulling them in different directions.
The Hurricanes have almost 30 verbal commits—kids who believe in Golden, this staff, the university, the city and the football program.
As a fan base, let’s put our energy into celebrating the pledges of running backs like Yearby and Powell, instead of living on pins and needles regarding the choice the shifty Cook eventually makes.
Should Cook choose Miami, great. If he decides he belongs elsewhere, then with the local product well and again give thanks for those who signed up to bust ass and rebuild this proud program.
Kids are allowed to flip-flop, play the game and act like kids. As adults, we’re expected to show some maturity and take things in stride.
Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year’s to the U Family. Pluck the Cards on Saturday and let’s close out 2013 with a bang.
#IStandWithTheU