Truther wanted to go toe-to-toe with a little Q&A session, so as devoted fans to each of our programs, we whipped up the following exchange. Below, his questions and my answers and then my questions and his responses. Enjoy.
“A Nole asks a Cane… “
As for why he’s not throwing downfield more… I don’t know. The coaches say receivers aren’t getting open. Even against Florida, the rumor was there were some plays in the bag but the wideouts didn’t execute, so the passes weren’t thrown.
I think talent-wise Miami is loaded; but it’s all bottled up potential until they prove it. This is the youngest position on Miami’s roster and in time, they’ll break out. I think the problem right now is Patrick Nix being a conservative, by the book, percentages guy instead of rolling the dice.
Last week Marve improvised and pulled off an impressive four-yard touchdown throw to true freshman Aldarius Johnson. When the cameras panned to the sideline, Nix was yelling at Marve regarding the risk he told there and not following procedure. Marve has a Favre-like moment and is getting chastised for not doing things by the book.
Hopefully Nix can get out of Marve’s way and let the player play.
Nix outsmarted himself more than UNC’s defense shut down Miami.
I don’t like to play the role of armchair quarterback, but I believe Miami needs to stick with what’s working. I’m also not a fan of inserting Jacory Harris into the game early in the second quarter, as Shannon has these past few games. Stick with the hot hand. Marve had momentum and UNC wasn’t figuring him out. Let him run the offense as much as he can before second half adjustments are made.
You’re playing the stats game, which I disagree with. North Carolina didn’t have a “74-yard drive” – they had a 74-yard score where they exposed a hole in the secondary and with too many Canes keyed in on Brandon Tate, Hakeem Nix reeled in a pass that Bruce Johnson misplayed (playing the ball, not the receiver).
The ensuing drive, the Heels partially block a kick, get great field position, completed three passes, benefitted from a facemask penalty and got the go-ahead score. UNC rushed six times in the fourth quarter and gained 2 total yards. Miami’s secondary broke down and on a few occasions, Bill Young’s biltz left his corners alone on islands and they didn’t make plays. Simple as that.
High school accolades aside, Miami’s offensive line is sort of even across the board. There are no ‘superstars’. per se. A lot of capable players and some big boys, but I personally see a lot of Larry Coker’s kids on the line. A lot of other positions – wideout, linebacker, etc. – you can see Randy Shannon’s kids making their presence felt.
OL coach Jeff Stoutland spent time this off-season getting guys ready to play multiple positions. Right now it looks like Tyrone Byrd is slated to start for Youngblood, but you never know how Randy’s depth charts will play out on game day.
Long and short of it, Youngblood would’ve helped as he’s a big body in the rotation, but that’s about it.
I think play design is the biggest problem. The predictability has been an issue. Coop up the middle isn’t fooling anyone. He’s had a few nice runs that way, when blocks have been sprung – but it’s not your bread and butter play.
I’d like to see some direct snaps to Cooper (used a few times in 2007, but not yet in 2008) as well as lining him up at receiver and creating more space. He’s a very versatile player, being used in a very watered-down way at times.
I think a lack of ingenuity with the playcalling is the biggest issue with Miami’s ground game, aside from James being out and no back up truly stepping up and taking control.
I also think Aldarius Johnson is primed to break out at receiver. Had two nice grabs last week and has shown solid route running ability, great hands and great feet thus far. Last week Marve keyed in on Kayne Farquharson as his go-to guy. I think AJ eventually gets there, maybe as soon as this Saturday.
Marcus Forston will be a stud, but was out last week as well as this week. That hurts. Guys like Stephen Wesley and Dwayne Hendricks have really stepped up, but neither are superstars or future NFLers. They’ve overachieved as of late, which will hopefully continue.
Allen Bailey has showed flashes of greatness and can eventually be a great one, but he’s still coming along as a soph. When Bailey and Forston are upperclassmen, expect Miami’s DL to be an utter force again.
Miami’s secondary needs to step up it’s collective game, while everyone on defense needs to worry about wrapping up. Too many missed tackles already this short season.
If you as a fan can talk about Miami sitting in a Cover-2 Man Under for years, Florida State coaches have to feel the same and there should be some confusion for either Ponder or Richardson. Young is really the X-factor here. What will he bring?
I would think with a weak offensive line and question marks at quarterback, Young would blitz, rattle your guys and attempt to force turnovers – though that hasn’t been the case yet this season, with a defensive lineman (Moncur) recording the team’s only interception.
Young’s overall scheme vs. FSU’s o-line is the key to this game, obviously.
Florida State is a state school with a big-time athletic budget and upwards of 40K students and no disrespect, but Tallahassee is a rather podunk southern town that can’t hold a candle to the city of Miami regarding where that entertainment dollar is spent. Simply put, what else are you going to go on a Saturday in Tallahassee? That town revolved around the Noles.
As a Miamian you have South Beach, the Keys, boating, nightlife and another high profile football game a day later in the same stadium when the Chargers head to town to face the Dolphins.
The Miami fans who “pack” that stadium are as diehard for The U as any fans in the nation. They will make noise and do all they can to give the Canes as much of a homefield advantage as humanly possible.
To your point about the GA… the West End Zone Crew at the Orange Bowl were some of the most loyal fans in the game. Rowdy? Sure – but diehards. That element was lost at Dolphin Stadium, with the way the seating charts were laid out… but those fans are still going to do what they can to hold court on Saturday.
I went to games at the OB for almost three decades and I only survived the West End Zone a few times. That place was too hardcore, even for a diehard like me.
I think we know more about Miami than we do Florida State right now. The Noles first two games against doormats showed little and the loss against Wake Forest now looks worse after the Deacs fell to Navy.
Miami hung tough early at Florida and looked like a defensive juggernaut early on, but defense lost the game last week and the Canes have had fourth quarter breakdowns in three straight games (albeit the lead against aTm was too big to make a difference.)
The storyline was ‘defensive battle’ from 2004-2006 and the inexplicably last year the teams combine for 66 points in 2007.
What I do predict is a better all around and more complete effort from Miami, after last week. This team didn’t have to ‘finish’ at aTm and when they let up last week, it cost them the game. A collapse helps you right the ship better than a close call would.
I think the difference in this game is Miami’s defense against Florida State’s offense. The Canes have shut down the run nicely thus far this season, so in a one-dimensional game it’ll be on the Noles air attack to get the “W”. Miami’s D let up last week, but I believe Young and his crew are out to make a statement this week and we see more of the fire displayed in Gainesville, as opposed to the lethargic effort seen last Saturday.
I hate making predictions… but I’ll bite and I’ll say Miami 24, Florida State 17.
“A Cane asks a Nole… “
In terms of the last 4 years, I would place this squad Behind the 2005 team that went to the Orange Bowl, but way above the horrid 2006 team and slightly above last year’s squad. FSU was the 2nd most injured team in the nation over the past two years, and this year they are better if for no other reason than average health luck.
I think the keys to this game will be limiting big plays, since I don’t think any team will have the ability to drive the ball down the field. Both teams struggled with that at times this year (Colorado had two instances where they failed to cash in. Marve is better than their qb and he would hit one of those if given the opportunity).
My other key is winning on first down, meaning limiting the opponent to less than 2 yards on first down carries, setting up 2nd and 9 or greater. Miami can’t handle FSU’s DLine when they are turned loose, and FSU can’t handle Miami’s DLIne on 3rd and long either.
If Miami’s defensive ends play undisciplined, as they did at the end of the UF game, and in parts of the UNC game (though not often), FSU can hit them for a cutback or two. This is Miami’s greatest edge in this game.
At this point, Bobby is a drag on our program and needs to be relegated to the “John Wooden Ucla Elder Cheerleader” role. Insiders say next year is his last. FSU fans who are into the program and winning over nostalgia and legacy hope they’re wrong and this this is the last year for a great coach.
I think Jimbo has breathed new life into this program and can be “the man.” He is a tireless recruiter, the kids like him a lot, he has improved the discipline (no arrests since April 27th, a full offseason), and is really building something. This rivalry will be great again.
Neither team is going to be able to run much on the other. It will be up to Miami to adjust to the UF and second-half UNC game plans.
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I dont see FSU running on our team and i dont see them throwing deep as i just dont think they have a QB who can throw a deep pass with ANY kind of accuracy. However, they have speed on the outside so i am nervous about the swing/screen passes. If we dont get into Ponder's face and knock him down, then there could be a problem. We need to rattle him, force him to make bone-head plays that hes so good at, the likes of the Wake game.
I think Marve is THE key to this game. Hes gonna have to make some plays to move the ball against that defense. Either be it on the run, or little dunk passes to the flats.
I think, besides CSU, FSU has the worst offense we'v played so far. I just dont feel threatend by anybody on that offense and i think theyll have a tough day.
Im saying Miami takes this one,
24-10
very nice article chris, as always this is a huge rivalry but I think all Miami fans have a mutual respect for FSU and vise-versa. Defiitly can't say the same for the turds but everyone hates them oh well....
Obviously the noles have watched tape and saw that a frail UNC team exposed our backfield/ secondary and I'm pretty sure FSU will try and expose that early. Running wise antoine smith is good but quite frankly I don't see any running back we play going over 100 yards on our collapsing and feirce 'D'.
Its going to be a damn good game as every year it's always a nail biter. but as you stated it's going to be a turnover game.
UM 27 FSU 20
WIDE RIGHT,
WIDE LEFT,
SHORT,
BLOCKED,
BAD SNAP,..
THE U: 17
FSU: 16
I agree with what 47 has to say, as far as watch out for passes to the backs. The past few years, the circle routes and screens have hurt us. The ends and backers have to be aware of the dump-offs, because aside from Preston, their WR's are nothing special. I don't see them running with much success and see them throwing a pick or two. Hopefully we get it together in the second half and put a whole game together. I think out Offense is better than their defense and Marve will hurt them on the edge with the run-pass option. I see us being more versatile than they are and hopefully Nix will grow a pair and play to win instead of playing not to lose. Miami 27 FSU 24
Guess my prediction was wrong here. This one hurts a little extra. I don't understand what the deal is. The stat that stopped me in my tracks: 15 times opponents have been in the red zone and 15 times they have scored points. And that was right before another score by FSU. How the hell do you give up a touchdown on 3rd and goal from the 20 with a run? Where was the defense? That was game, set, match. I don't know what's going on, but something needs to change adjustment-wise. If we keep playing the way we're playing, we'll be lucky to end up 6-6. All I can hope for at this point is becoming bowl eligible and getting more experience in key areas and hopefully learn and get better. Get some more players in here, build depth, competition and play the best players. I guess I'll chalk this year up to on the job training by a lot of young players and just hope they progress more and more. We have to learn how to pull these conference games out. It just sucks to not be a factor for another year, and we haven't shown any signs of being able to upset higher ranked teams either.
-Columbus Cane