The U: Monday Night UMindtripping…

Our third straight Monday after a Saturday loss. I’m almost used to it.

5-5 and two more games to go. Last year a BCS bowl was within reach. This year one more win is needed to even go bowling. Amazing.

I’d say I’m thrilled we don’t have a quarterback controversy, but statements by our head coach thwarted that. Kirby Freeman’s efforts against Maryland didn’t land him the starting gig. He’ll get it by default as Kyle Wright is still unable to go with the bum throwing hand.

“There really isn’t a controversy. Kirby is our starter because he’s healthy.” – Larry Coker, Miami Herald – 11/13/06

I pray that’s coachspeak. If he couldn’t see the difference between Freeman and Wright, we’re in bigger trouble than I thought. Sitting at .500 right now with two games remaining there’s no reason Wright should see the field again in 2006.

That’s not a knock on Wright. It’s based on his 20+ starts to Freeman’s one. Freeman looked good against Maryland and should have two more games to prove if he’s a fluke or the real deal. Play well and he and Wright are neck and neck entering spring.

No need to talk about it. The results will speak for themselves. Someone is going to step up.

The fact it’s not addressed head on like that, it’s bothersome. True leaders address these types of questions head on. They pick a side of the fence and then stand by their decision, for better or worse. When faced with another dilemma, they’ll repeat the process.

Butch Davis made things official with North Carolina today. Remember the date November 13th, 2006 as a Canes fan. If Davis rolls into Chapel Hill, turning things around and Miami’s top brass doesn’t make some smart moves at the end of 2006… this could be a dark day in Hurricanes history.

These past few weeks I’ve been torn on Davis returning. It’d certainly be a step forward towards rebuilding, but how would the sequel match up with the original? Rarely is the second better than the first. Davis’ efforts from 1995-2000 truly saved the program. Could he do it again? What if he got off to a slow start?

Had Davis returned to Miami, people would’ve expected instant miracles.

Right now I’m split. 50% of me thinks Coker is gone after Thanksgiving, but the other half of me believes we’ll see him again in 2007. This afternoon, a radio report in Tampa had fans up in arms, stating they “heard from a source” that Coker won’t be fired. It’s just fuel to the fire – keeping fans talking, forwarding articles and typing away.

Two more games until this one is put to bed. I’d love to see our kids win out, but I won’t lose any sleep if we miss a post-Christmas bowl game. This season hasn’t just sucked, it’s been physically draining. If I’m this thrashed as a fan, I can’t even comprehend how these players and coaches are feeling.

A loss. A loss. The brawl. Suspensions. Coaching rumors. A loss. A loss. A murder. A heartbreaking loss.

Omar Kelly referred to Coker as the “sports equivalent of Job” in a recent blog. I’ll take it a step further, the entire University of Miami Football program is as plagued as Job right now. This goes eons beyond the head coach.

Top to bottom, this team had the hell kicked out of it in 2006. From the Peach Bowl brawl and 40-3 loss on New Year’s Eve, right down to last Saturday’s “we can’t buy a break” loss at Maryland and every failure in between. The black cloud is looming. Two games remain. Get this season over with and let these kids get their heads right the next few months.

This is college football. Today’s five-loss team can be tomorrow’s contender. Just ask Michigan. 7-5 in 2005 and now one game away from a BCS Championship berth in 2006.

Miami has some work ahead, but this thing can be turned around rather quickly if changes are made. As disappointing as 2006 has been, there could be reason for optimism in the coming weeks.

Hang in there a little longer. Each and every one of us.

.:Canes305:.

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