The Short List To South Beach: Week 4

The Shortlist to South Beach reaches a milestone this week as over half the teams in the division that is now called the Football Bowl Subdivision find themselves judged lacking of championship mettle.  The unfortunate majority includes the following:

Miami (OH), Middle Tennessee, Army, SMU, Hawaii, Ohio, UAB, New Mexico, ULM, FIU, NI, WMU, ULL, FAU, UNT, Kent State, Idaho, Utah State, CSU, UTEP, VT, Pitt, Michigan, Miss. St., TAMU, Rutgers, SDSU, Memphis, Marshall, Temple, EMU, S. Miss., SJSU, Oregon St., CMU, Buffalo, WSU, UCF, Tulane, L-Tech, Houston, BGU, UNLV, Nevada, Toledo, Navy, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, Maryland, Fresno St., S. Carolina, NCST, Rice, NMST, Ark. St, UVA,

A total of three teams survived last week despite me specifically calling for them not to, this particular magic number includes the following:

1) Baylor now finds itself on a roll after benching Kirby "Jitters" Freeman for true freshman Robert Griffen and defeating Washington State at home on weekend that will live in infamy in the Pac-10.  Art Briles has been down this road before with a true freshman in Kevin Kolb behind center and again seems to have found another gem to build a moribund program around in Waco.  How does this guy do it is my first question, my second is what ever possessed him to tab Freeman as the starter in the first place?  I was much less surprised last year when Randy Shannon made a similar call with his QB situation but I knew it would be much sooner rather than later in the lone star state when Freeman would find his way to the pine this time around.  Still, Baylor holds only a loss to Wake Forest on their record and for the first time since firing Chuck Reedy over a decade ago seems to be on the rise.

2) Duke stakes a claim for ACC pride by defending Wallace Wade Stadium from the Navy Midshipmen in a tight game.  The Blue Devils took control in the second half last week and the early returns with the solid hiring of David Cutcliff are positive for this perennial cellar-dweller.  A win against Virginia this week would go a long way in ensuring their first ever finish above last place in the division which at this basketball school is cause for celebration.

3) Ball State continues to defy the odds and now stands at 3-0 after dominating Akron in Ohio.  Brady Hoke comes from Frank Beamer's lineage but his season so far has been much more impressive than his mentor.  He can't keep it up though and I expect them to finally be dropped from the Shortlist to South Beach this week yet again but so far this team has done nothing but become a royal pain in my you know what this season.

The pathetic athletic conference of the west coast may be flying high after exposing the Ohio State Buckeyes at the hands of the number one team in the country, but last week showed just how shallow the talent pool in that supossed power conference really is after the final guns sounded.  All four upset specials on the Shortlist come at the hands of teams from the Pac-10 and the roll call of shame looks like this:

1) Stanford gets shut down for three out of four quarters as a tied game at half time turns into a three touchdown route at TCU.  Jim Harbaugh pulled an all time upset last year on the road in Los Angeles but this week he joins a long list of infamous Pac-10 losses that should not be forgotten later in the year if Southern Cal manages to ride roughshod over a shoddy list of opponents in conference play.  Even more troubling, I missed calling for either team to be eliminated from the Shortlist despite this game amounting to a Shortlist elimination game this week.  I'd blame my new live in girlfriend but that would be making excuses and I don't want to go there with Miami's motto this year being what it is.

2) UCLA takes a trip to a Utah woodshed and lays a goose egg at BYU as the Mountain West makes a great argument for conference realignment.  One week after turning the ball over repeatedly only to be bailed out by Tennessee's failure to capitalize on the generosity the Bruins run into an opponent who isn't so generous as the Cougars run them back to Hollywood with their tail between their legs.  This game also constituted another failure on my part to make a call in what amounted to a Shortlist elimination game, so either I was giving way too much credit to this overrated BCS conference or I've just tuned them out after hearing about how great they play offense despite never making a tackle.  Maybe both.

3) Arizona gets outpaced by New Mexico on the road as the Pac-10's nightmare weekend continues.  Mike Stoops looked like he was on his way to saving his job, but this loss might be the proverbial straw that ends up breaking the camel's back.  The Wildcats won't be going to the Rose Bowl again this year, but they also might be looking for a new coach if they don't end up bowling in December.

4) Arizona State completes the Pac-10's denouement by shockingly falling at home to UNLV in overtime.  Dennis Erickson finds a way for his team to fall apart in the fourth and then falls in overtime by a field goal as the team that was expected to challenge Southern Cal for supremacy this year gets caught looking ahead to facing Georgia this week.  Don't count out the win-ingest coach in Miami history just yet, but this result does not bode well for a conference that is notorious for complaining about bias against it.

I expect the following teams to fall by the wayside after this week on the Shortlist to South Beach:

Louisville, Troy, ECU, GT, Boise St., Michigan St, Air Force, Ball St.

Ball State has now become the team that vexes me the most this year, replacing the Air Force Falcons from last year.  This week though, Texas A&M seeks to solve a team that vexed them last year in the Miami Hurricanes.  Both teams are hampered by injuries on offense but the Hurricanes will find a way to survive for at least another week despite the intimidating road venue they will be sure to encounter in my estimation.  Last year the largest amount of crow I had to eat was after a Thursday night beat-down that I expected to go the other way in Randy Shannon's inaugural season, I hope this time I'm right as opposed to last year.  Enjoy the games this weekend and come back next week as we mark a turning point in the college season and stop looking at who's out and start keeping track of who's left in the running on The Shortlist to South Beach.

Copyright 2008 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com

Comments

[J]

Harris!

[norm]

Well, well, how you doing?

[AngryCane]

Nice shot of the UCLA girl!

CANES!!

[Loco]

Its all about the Canes

[reggaebob]

Nice shot of the UCLA girl!

CANES!!

Posted by: AngryCane | September 19, 2008 at 12:10 AM

you should see ours...

[darCANEgel]

I LOVE how we're not on the “The unfortunate majority” List AGAIN! Mercy, blob writer!

Is anyone else tired of hearing about the Pac-10 and how great they are? Although – gotta say - that ucla pic is a friggin GR8 marketing tool for them…Makes me wanna go back to school…well done!

Try being positive thru the weekend, Legion…I know it’s hard for y’all – but it really will make you feel better. If not, no worries…life’s too short to sweat stuff ya can't control…but hey…I'm sure y'll do like U do.

One rollover comment from the last blob: “I agree with you, Cal: The season begins against Butch. Saturday is just another great day on Nat'l TV...

To the recruits;
To the coaches;
To the players;
To Ur families!
We
SalUte
U!”
----

ALL bout dem CANES!

[mm01]

Several things I need to see in College Station:

1) More wide open offense, take the training wheels off our MOST TALENTED PLAYERS
2) get the ball to our playmakers
3) cute cheerleaders
4) see #3
5) better special teams: tackling, covering the field better
6) More 1st down passing
7) #33 or #32 making plays. For that matter, #2 making plays
8) better catching from the WR's
9) better blocking from the OL
10) more aggressiveness from the coaching staff

[reggaebob]

oh and im sure this has been discussed already, but if you thought larry coker ruined a program fast, you musnt have met bill stewart. Not only has WVU performed poorly on the road, just watching them today they looked confused and horribly mismanaged on the sideline, something you never see with a Carroll/Richt/Stoops/Brown and hopefully a broken-in Shannon team.

[mm01]

damn right, bob

RandyCane called the WVU demise before the season

[Matt Drudge]

What I want to see this weekend from our boys:

1. A very Physical D
2. A physical OL that blows aTm D off the ball
3. Ball to playmakers - More Yards After Catch
4. No 3 and outs
5. Punt at the most 2 times
6. 500+ yards on O and 40+ points
7. Pass/ Run balance
8. 10 long pass plays minimum
9. 1 pick 6
10. 1 PR/ KR TD

[dj moonbat]

It's worth pointing out that the 'Canes are still a lock for a BCS bowl if they win out from here.

[Elbow-Foot (formerly known as BCS and NCAA)]

If I had a second team it would be UCLA after seeing that picture. Go Bruins...not really

GO CANES

[Elbow-Foot (formerly known as BCS and NCAA)]

by the way, in case you forgot...

BRIAN MITCHELL IS A LITTLE BEE-ATCH

[Elbow-Foot (formerly known as BCS and NCAA)]

don't make me say it...

[orange 'n green in the vein]

FUCLA sucks. But at least their cheerleaders don't dress like they're going to a sock-hop in the '50's.

[Elbow-Foot (formerly known as BCS and NCAA)]

Does Brain Mitchell know what Dolemite Jenkins would do to him???

He needs sit down before he gets dealt with.

[Elbow-Foot (formerly known as BCS and NCAA)]

Atleast UCLA's cheerleaders go to UCLA...

Southern Condom has to hire theirs.

[mm01]

I like'em Matt, and elbow

[Elbow-Foot (formerly known as BCS and NCAA)]

second best website ever...

http://www.notredamesucks.org/

[Elbow-Foot (formerly known as BCS and NCAA)]

curt scilling is a biiiiiitch, too

[mm01]

Nix needs to let our QB's play, WR's catch, and RB's run. Calling offense is not difficult

[Canezitis]

bill stewert=larry coker, i feel sorry for WVU and devine.too bad,they coulda been good.

[mm01]

agreed, Stewart is ruining the program before everyone's eyes.

Did you hear that halftime interview? It was worse than that guy

[Cat5 Cane]

BETTING ODDS
MIAMI -3 at TEXAS AM +3
OVER/UNDER 40.5

COLORADO/WVU GAME... BUFFS WIN 17/14
LOL... From my POV, Bill is a nice guy but watching Bill Stewart's facial expression of looking like a crying clown and saying WHAT NOW??? was amusing for most of the night... WVU wasn't prepared for Buffalo's game plan

Any upset win is a Great game but should have been a blow out, if Hawkins(QB) keep control of the ball.

Other games to watch...
NC/VT
FL ST/WF

[canestruck]

THUG U -----YEA RIGHT ALL U HATERS

• Last spring, the NCAA released its annual Academic Progress Report (APR) and the Hurricane football team scored a 969, the eighth-highest mark out of the 119 Bowl Sub-division football programs. Miami's score - also the third-highest mark in the 12-team Atlantic Coast Conference - put the team in the 80th-90th percentile nationally based on its performance in the classroom.

[UMike]

86...I think the timer on the first page is a few hours off...no?

[Cane Since 1982]

"Dropping down the depth chart
Kirby Freeman,below, the former Hurricanes quarterback who transferred to Baylor, lasted one quarter in his start for the Bears in their season opener. He has yet to win back the starter's role. Freeman was pulled in the 41-13 opening loss to Wake Forest and was replaced by freshman Robert Griffin, who has gone on to lead the Bears to back-to-back routs of Northwestern State and Washington State. Freeman was 4 of 11 with two interceptions in his Baylor debut."

From the Sun Sentinel

[JameriCANE]

UM
University of Miami looking to create turnovers against Texas A&M
Miami's defensive line is focusing on giving its offense a leg up against Texas A&M by putting an emphasis on turnovers.
Posted on Thu, Sep. 18, 2008reprint print email

BY GARRETT W. HYLTON
[email protected]

The Hurricanes' defense has been solid through two games -- dominating Charleston Southern and holding then-No. 5 Florida to one touchdown through three quarters -- but hasn't created a turnover this season.

''Turnovers is a change in momentum,'' Shannon said. ``It comes in bunches sometimes. You may not have a turnover for two or three games, you may have one the next five or six games.''

The Hurricanes have one turnover this season, but it happened on special teams, when defensive back Ryan Hill recovered a fumbled punt.

After making turnovers a focal point in practice, the defense hopes to change that against the Aggies.

''We're working on stripping the ball in practice,'' cornerback Bruce Johnson said. ``When you have an opportunity to get the ball, as a DB, you've got to get an interception instead of knocking it down. We've been working on it in practice, and I think it's going to take effect this weekend.''

EXTRA MOTIVATION

Shannon said the coaches have stressed to defensive players about taking advantage of opportunities and have offered a little extra motivation for players who are unable to do so.

Dropping a potential interception is being rewarded with 10 push-ups.

''That's the money ball,'' Johnson said. ``You can't miss out on that money. If you miss it, there are consequences for it. We're just trying to limit the consequences and make more turnovers.''

Creating turnovers means more to the Hurricanes than avoiding in-practice calisthenics. Creating turnovers also means helping boost an offense that is still looking to find its rhythm.

Although the defense kept the Hurricanes' deficit to 9-3 against the Gators heading into the fourth quarter Sept. 6, the offense was buried on its own end of the field for most of the game and couldn't sustain long scoring drives.

With the offense trying to break in two freshmen quarterbacks and a group of young receivers, defensive players said they know they can relieve some pressure by creating turnovers and setting up the offense with good field position.

''It's extremely important,'' linebacker Glenn Cook said. ``I think it's going to help our offense a lot, give them a short field. It's something we harp on, it's something we've got to jump on.''

Turnover margin was a problem last season.

The Hurricanes finished tied for 96th in the nation in turnover margin, and the team struggled for victories.

SEEKING GREATNESS

Aside from helping out the offense, Johnson said creating more turnovers also is the key to helping the Hurricanes go from a good defense to an elite unit.

After proving they can slow opposing offenses, Johnson said it is time for the defense to start making more plays on the ball.

''We could be dominant,'' Johnson said. 'We're shutting teams down. You start getting turnovers on them, as well, [and] that'll hurt a lot of teams' hearts and make them give up easy.''

Miami Herald sportswriter Manny Navarro contributed to this report.

[thirstybuzzarcane]

Look for Marve to have a huge day rushing the ball.

[HillViewCane]

When was the last game that we played a great in all aspects of the game that wasn't against a team like Charleston?

[bhamcanesfan]

Had to put this up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I82BPA5QAaQ&feature=related

[Lou of M]

Killa Army U

[Cane Since 1982]

I like watching this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOZGunH3sFg

[Sarasota 'Cane]

Poor Kirby! Do you realize how embarrassing it must be in the locker room when he takes his shirt off and his new teammates see that giant U tattoo on his back?!!!

That kid is going to be scarred for life! Kinda like the Norwood character from the 1st Ace Ventura movie!

TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN ACE VENTURA PET DETECTIVE

Go 'Canes!

[orange]

86...I think the timer on the first page is a few hours off...no?

Posted by: UMike | September 19, 2008 at 09:08 AM

No sir its correct

[orange]

Poor Kirby! Do you realize how embarrassing it must be in the locker room when he takes his shirt off and his new teammates see that giant U tattoo on his back?!!!

Its no longer a U its a 0 or an O

[UMike]

Orange..when I came to the site..it was like 9:00 and it said 1 day 3 hours..wouldnt that put kick-off at 12? I thought it was 3:30...

[UMike]

Ok..NOW it shows different..was off this am..

[UMike]

still to far away lol

[orange]

UMike,

I just think you are going crazy.

j/k :)

[UMike]

hey its friday..that coule be the case to lol

[SunriseMike]

UM wins a wild one 62-59.
I dreamt it last night.

[UMike]

wooooooo..sunrise..that's one hell of a dream! lol You think our D lets A &M score 59....lol

[SunriseMike]

Something I ate must have disagreed with me. That's more of a nightmare..
No way, no how....
40 something to 10 or 17.

[orange]

AM offense will be lucky to score one TD against our D

Like ive been preaching for days now.

This will be a totally domination. All the TRUE freshman including ABrown will be in by the 4th qtr.

Bring on the BABY BLUE and OFF WHITE

[UMike]

I just hope we dont overlook TAMU to UNC...but I can't see them moving the ball on our D. We went downfield last year with badly underthrown balls by Turface, so we should be able to score a lot. My boy Damien Berry gets a lot of PT 2moroe!

[Sarasota 'Cane]

We could score over 50, they would be lucky to break 10!

Go 'Canes!

[Cat5 Cane]

The D goes bonkers and controls the red zone... for another MIAMI WIN!!!!

17/3 at half
34/6 game...

as the announcer says... "AND ANOTHER MIAMI FIRST DOWN"!!!

[orange]

we will not score over 50 unless we get some INT/Fumble returns for tds, or 2 special team 2tds.

Canes will score in the high 30's low 40s.

Defense 1st string defense will not give up a td, our true freshman/mop up duty players will.

AM will score only 7-10 points

DOMINATION

[UMike]

Cat5...I dont think the announcer will say that in College Station lol