41-35 the past five seasons and 13-12 the past two years is barely .500 ball. Translation? You may as well flip a coin when deciding the outcome of a Hurricanes game these days.
Mike Tyson had a quote in his heyday; “Everyone has a game plan until they get punched in the mouth. Watching UM football the past few years, coaches went in with an agenda, the Canes were quickly tagged in the grill and from there, the duration of the contest was spend in damage control-mode.
There’s an Xs and Os approach we could discuss when game planning what Miami will do at Boston College this weekend. All it takes is some common sense.
Get the ball moving on the ground with Mike James and the other backs. Make sure the offensive line protects quarterback Stephen Morris, who should get a few running plays, just to keep the defense honest, while playing mistake-free football.
Defense can’t give up big plays. D-line can’t be manhandled by veteran BC O-line. Special teams must remain sound. Playmakers need to get a few touches and hopefully can break one.
Blah, blah, blah.
Coaches have studied the film and they know this Boston College team, having ended the season with the Eagles last November, the Canes falling, 24-17 behind four interceptions courtesy of departed quarterback Jacory Harris.
Harris is gone and while his counterpart Chase Rettig returns, the Eagles quarterback will be without last year’s top targets as tight end Chris Pantale and wide receiver Bobby Swigert are sidelined with injury. (Swigert led BC with 44 receptions for 470 yards in 2011.)
The duo combined for eight receptions, 137 yards and two touchdowns in last year’s throw down – meaning Retting only completed five passes for 59 yards to guys not named Pantale or Swigert.
Running back Rolandan Finch was the Eagles’ leading rusher carrying 22 times for 96 yards and he too will be out this weekend, as will defensive back Albert Louis-Jean and back-up tight end Mike Naples. Conversely, Miami rolls in extremely healthy, missing only linebacker Raphael Kirby and defensive tackle Curtis Porter.
Boston College wrapped the 2011 season a paltry 4-8, despite beating Miami late. This wasn’t a good football team even with the aforementioned players suiting up this weekend and without them, the Eagles are even less. They’ll come to play as it’s the season opener and everyone gets up to play Miami, but even with so much youth and inexperience, this is a game the Canes should win.
The only x-factor is Chestnut Hill and Alumni Stadium, which has given Miami fits over the years.
Everyone remembers needing a miracle in 2001, up 12-7 with Boston College driving before defensive lineman Matt Walters intercepted a pass (off the knee of Mike Rumph), was stripped by teammate Ed Reed, who made a house call and gave the Canes an 18-7 win, en route to a fifth national title with arguably the greatest college team … ever.
Still, that wasn’t the only nailbiter when Miami trekked north to Boston for a showdown.
In 1999 the Canes were down 28-0 before storming back to win, 31-28. Two years prior, a 45-44 UM win in overtime.
Butch Davis first brought his Canes to Chestnut Hill in 1995 and Miami escaped, 17-14 and in 1991 a Dennis Erickson-era UM squad was in a game almost as scary as the one which came ten years later.
Up 19-14 in the final minute, Boston College was driving and facing a 3rd-and-10 from the UM 26-yard line, player of the game, linebacker Micheal Barrow and defensive end Kevin Patrick, combined to sack Eagles quarterback Glenn Foley.
A fourth down ‘Hail Flutie’ attempt went long and Miami rolled on to an undefeated season and fourth national title.
Miami occasionally had their way at Boston College and both cases were games earlier in the season, opposed to the standard November meet-up. The Canes opened the 1993 season with a 23-7 road win and in 2003, a mid-September night game ended, 33-14 in UM’s favor.
Put it under a microscope, dissect it and a logical argument could be made that Miami should win this game by double-digits, despite a new quarterback and some young, green talent. The Canes also have the better athletes, though that’s been of little consolation over the past few years as losses to “lesser” teams have piled up.
Al Golden enters year two as the helm for the Canes. He survived a rocky first year, complete with scandal, suspensions and distractions, leading Miami to a 6-6 record, that could just as easily have been 9-3 or 4-8 with a few lucky, or unlucky, bounces.
Golden recruited well this past year, pulling in a top ten class in February, with many of those thirty-plus players expected to see action this weekend.
More importantly, though, a rededication in the weight room and with strength and conditioning overall. As surprised as Golden was by the NCAA investigation, he cites the poor shape of his players the biggest shock of 2011, in utter disbelief that University of Miami football players could be as poorly conditioned as they were.
There is usually a jump between year one and year two for coaches taking over a new program, but many are doubting Miami because of the lost upperclassmen and influx of newbies. Anyone doing that is truly dismissing the impact of the weight room this off-season and the impact a better-conditioned Hurricanes bunch can have in Golden’s system in his second season.
Talk is cheap, but Miami does seem fired up entering this season. Players seem to realize the ‘how’ and ‘why’ last year fell apart and the rededication to conditioning has been felt across the board. Older players are taking care of business, while freshman have hit the ground running – be it early enrollees who started the process in January or kids who trickled in this summer.
This will be an up and down season in Coral Gables, but everything seems aligned for week one – especially on the motivation front.
A rematch against the last foe you faced and fell to. A lot of time grinding in the South Florida heat, pent up and ready to hit someone for real. Tremendous competition on the practice field, fighting for the coveted black jerseys and competing with teammates doing the same. As well as the fact that for once the other guys are banged up, depleted and without their playmakers – a far cry from last year’s opener at Maryland.
Miami should make a solid statement week one, though it could be short-lived with a road trip to Kansas State next week. Or it could prove to be just what the doctor ordered, giving UM something to build on – which was never the case last year, seemingly trading wins and losses each week and never giving coaches the ability to use some psychology and truly motivate.
Regardless, Boston College should go down fairly easily and the preparations turn towards arguably the toughest road trip of the 2012 in Manhattan, Kansas against the Wildcats.
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Cane fan, I dig your positive, optimism. However, the game in Chesnut Hill will be a TIGHT ball game.
Why U'all Hurricane fandom may wonder. Because as the Miami, F-L-A college pigskin blogger allUded to above. The games between the Hurricanes and B.C. have annUally been tough, nailbiting synthetic-turd contests. And I don't see a double-digit victory for either team. Eh.
Miami, F-L-A Hurricanes 31
B.C. 27
Thankfully, Boston College has their top 2 offensive players on Injured Reserve. dUh. Otherwise, I'd be playing the WORRY WORT, negative bUbba Cane fan.
Bon jour
If Miami scores 31, Boston College isn't putting up 27 with so many banged up guys on offense. If this is tight, which it very well could be, it'll be, 20-17 tight.
Some recent SIGNIFICANT college football news concerning the Sin Ciy toUters and the ruffian degenerates whom wager their collective, bottom-dollars on a college football game dU joUr. LOL
The line between Miami and Boston College OPENED with your Hurricanes as a - 2 1/2 point ROAD CHALK. Get the freak outta' here. Outsider! Eh.
Then come Wednesday past the college pigskin wagers DROPPED the line down to PICK' EM. Bloody oUch. A bery, bery, bery indicator for The Golden One's 2012 team.
Now Happy Days are here again for the collective Cane college football fandom. Because the SHREWD, Wise Guys and MAJOR PLAYERS have bet LATE beaucoup, Benjamins on your Miami, F-L-A and hence, swung the line back to the OPENING - 2 1/2 point favorite.
Moral of the rant. IF there are any Miami fandom in either Reno or Sin City. BET the House Morgage on the Canes. Albeit metaphorically speaking. LMFAO.
Seriously though, Miami, F-L-A will win the game OUTRIGHT and cover the - 2 1/2 point spread.
Bon jour
Rolandan Finch is probable for UM...
Last depth chart I saw had him out. Either way, he's banged up and probably won't see much action.
I've been looking forward to your first game comments, Chris. I agree with you - talk is cheap. We've been pretty much a mediocre team in a mediocre conference. If we do two things we will win going away: (1) Take care of the ball on offense (2) Stop the run on defense. That should be our focus for the whole year. I'm not going to say anything else because who really knows right now. Get the win in Game One and get some needed momentum into a tough road-heavy first part of the season. Canes 24 Eagles 21
Just praying that the 2012-2013 canes dont look like last years. That main shot is just sad.... Im sure coach d'no didnt mean this when he said, "when we pause the film we better see hats around the ball
First year under Golden last year. Randy's kids. Out of shape. Out of position. Heads weren't right.
It takes time to correct mistakes of that level and will take a few more recruiting classes with Golden-recruited kids.
Miami will be better conditioned this year and will be ready to play. Doesn't mean that games won't be lost with so many freshmen and new faces, but the attitude and culture are changing and that's all we can hope for year two.
I hope Golden does have a Cane three down linemen defense.
The Notre Dame/Navy game just started.
But I can promise you that Notre Dame is going to beat Navy because Navy is using only three down defensive linemen.
The prevent defense prevents you from tackling runners, prevents you from getting pressure on a passer, and prevents winning.
I can promise you that Notre Dame is going to beat Navy because Navy sucks and Notre Dame is a much better program. If Navy is using three down lineman it's because they don't have the personnel to come with any more than that and know they have no shot pressuring the quarterback, so they're putting the focus on more guys in coverage.
I hope Golden does NOT, NOT, NOT Have a 3 down linemen defensive front.
... Mark D'Onofrio makes that call as defensive coordinator. Whatever direction he goes, he obviously has a reason.
Update number one:
On the Miami interception and run back for a TD, they had four down defensive linemen and a blitz which put pressure on the BC QB and forced the interception.
Maybe Miami has a chance now if they stick with four down defensive linemen and throw in blitz from the corners.
You're reaching.
That play was all Perryman, who wasn't fooled on yet another slant. If he bit, huge pick up for BC. Rettig wasn't pressured.
Gonna be a long-ass season, old timer. If you're gonna be this shitty one quarter in, might want to stick your head in the sand until 2013.
Miami obviously lacks the personnel if you're starting Tracy Howard at corner GAME ONE, hoss. Defensive line one of the weakest positions on the team, bro. Front seven isn't going to get much pressure and secondary held down by freshmen and guys not good enough to start last year. Deal with it.
Update number two:
On the BC drive in the second quarter that netted them 3 points (and a dropped pass in the Cane end zone,) Miami had BC stopped TWICE using a four down linemen defense. But on third down, Miami went to a three down linemen defense and BC converted both times and kept their drive alive, scored 3 and almost scored 7.
All that a three down lineman defense does is LET the other QB sit back in the pocket and take the defense apart.
And you KNOW it is going to happen that gripes me.
And the Administrator thinks I am Sh**ty!!??
LOL.
Acceptance of crap football since Coker and Butch left is crappy!
Your crybaby rant about firing Al Golden early in the first quarter of game one in a rebuilding year -- that's where you're being shitty. It's going to be a long-ass year. Golden inherited a team that was 35-29 the five seasons before he took over. Have some perspective.
If a Miami team anywhere from 2006 or 2010 was down 14-0 after two drives, that game would be over.
At least ATTEMPT to see some progress as Golden works to rebuild. Perryman houses one and Johnson, a true freshman, scores on a 54-yarder? C'mon man. How long can hopeful fans deal with doom-and-gloomers who second-guess every call, bitch non-stop and literally call for a coach's firing LESS THAN ONE QUARTER INTO GAME ONE OF HIS SECOND SEASON.
Get a grip, or get lost. This is going to be too long a year to deal with this kind of nonsense.
U'all Cane brutes should be bery, bery, bery happy with Miami, F-L-A's first A.C.C. victory. Eh. Especially a conference road win at that! dUh
And as the Hurricane MOD says above. It's going to be a very, very, very, very long season in Coral Gables.
Why? Because of the Canes INEXPERIENCED and DEPTH-less defense. By the way, I have gone on RECORD and stated that I'm not SATISFIED with D' Onofrio as the D-coordinator. And today's game proved moi's bloviating point!!
Nonetheless, give MEGA kUdo's out to Miami's defense for the goal line stance.
And yes, that was ALL Perryman's football SAVY on the INT touchdown.
Finally, Kansas St. will absolUtely put a bloody ARSE KICKING on the Canes next Saturday. Get the freak outta' here, OUTSIDER.
Oh, one more blabbering point. What about the kid D.J.!! Simply IMRESSIVE performance from him and his offensive line this afternoon.