This blog was written for Canespace by blogger Aqua...
Sunday morning October 4, 2009 your Miami Hurricanes will wake up as a legit title contender.
The national media will be quick to jump on the Canes bandwagon. Interviews and cover stories will be requested of Coach Shannon and Company. What was thought of as impossible, going 4-0 to start the 2009 season, is now a reality that College Football is forced to deal with.
The Canes are officially back, and in a really big way.
Now, you see, the fun has just started. The payback tour has begun and it's going to have some interesting stops along the way. October is Miami's busiest month with 5 games being played.
FAMU: Not much of a game, more of a barometer. This is a game I personally enjoy, the crowd is usually lite, Canes depth is on display, and I might even actually watch some of FAMU's marching 100. I said might. Anyways, what's most important to me is seeing QB depth. I'd like to see what Taylor Cook does in this game. Cannon Smith should see PT, possibly the freshman Highsmith too. Games like this are what frustrated me with Coker. We'd run the ball all game when you'd think it would be a good time to work on the passing game. Thankfully, Coker is long gone and I really hope this game is more for fine-tuning the offense and getting PT for the rest of the depth chart.
University of Central Florida: This is where Aqua's memory gets a little fuzzy. You see, I was physically at the game last season, but might have been drinking a little too much penny rum (ouch). Like any good alcoholic, my memory of this game is hazy at best. What I do remember was that Miami let UCF hang around way too long and it gave them confidence. That being said, this is another game where talent and playmaking ability stacks to the Canes side.
UCF has two Sophomore RB's in Brynn Harvey and Latavious Murry. Murry measures as the power back at 6'3 215, and lead the RB's with 3 TD's. UCF's passing game returns their top six receivers lead by Brian Watters. This is a game where Miami's D-Line needs to pressure UCF's QB Rob Calabresse into mistakes. Considering Miami's depth at DE, guys like Oliver Vernon and Dyron Dye should start seeing an increased role by this point of the season. Turnovers could make this game lopsided quickly. Check for this game to tell you where Miami's offense is heading into the mid-way point of the season. Miami should be clicking, as with most good Canes teams the ball will be spread out.
Clemson: Last time the Tiger's (how original) came to South Florida I sat in the rain and the Canes lost in OT. A year later UM and Clemson would meet in an epic 3OT game that would go down as the game loudest in College Football history. History says expect a wild one. I look at it as a "known-unknown". Clemson will bring their version of the Thunder and Lightning in Jamie Harper and CJ Spiller. That's the known part. The unknown part is Clemson's QB play. Willy Korn tops the depth chart but after that little is known about Clemson’s QB corps. They do, however boast a speedy WR core with Jacoby Ford returning for his senior season. The defensive line for Clemson is legit and presents problems for any team.
Expect the Canes to use 2TE sets to double team on DE's Bowers and Sapp. Once again Clemson has speed in the secondary that forces the Canes to game plan on running the football between the tackles. I'd love to see Damien Berry and the not so Baby James to chew up the interior of the field. Clemson's weakness was obvious last season in giving up 33 sacks, it's up to Miami to bring pressure and blitz with discretion. Look for Clemson to neutralize LB's Spence and McCarthy with RB's lining up in the slot.
Wake Forrest: The word is out, Wake Forrest's 2006 ACC title was, a fluke. Wake Forrest never impressed me. Riley Skinner is a decent QB and that's about it. Facts are he's been sacked no less than 23 times in a season and has never thrown more than 13 TD's in a season. Is this a player that scares you? Hope not, because this is the trigger-man for Wake. He could have a Carson Palmer like senior season and I could be wrong, no doubt. But I'm willing to bet that we'll see the same grind it out offense from Jim Grobe we saw last year when Wake ran it 50+ times at Dolphin Stadium. Do they have playmakers? I'm not sure, but if the Clemson game is an intense one, I expect this to be closer than the experts think. If Miami's strength is their D-Line, this game needs their consistency to be the backbone. No big gains, no mental errors. This is another mental test for Canes. The Canes are on paper the better team. And they will prove it on the field.
procanes good stuff!
Didn't John Routh receive the most Miami Hurricane National Championship rings of anyone because of the NC years with the baseball team and football team?
I've heard that few times but maybe its a Coral Gables urban legend.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 29, 2009 at 01:14 PM
It would totally, absolutely kick azz if Truth turned out to be Sebastian!
Soup with every Canes Football roster ever printed,pinned on each wall in his office.
Tiny little red X's scrawled across hundreds of names,
Walls covered with various Canes team pictures with the Ibis standing at the end of the row, grinning to himself, peering out of his feathery head at soup.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 29, 2009 at 01:22 PM
How many millions of dollars are silk screeners and T shirt printers making off of MJ tribute shirts this week?
I have a friend that makes bumper stickers/decals/prints tee shirts.
I remember When Dale Earnhardt was killed, he called the two other guys that work with him into the shop less than an hour after Earnhardt was pronounced dead.
They had designed and printed over 2,000 shirts by noon that next day. They sold out in two days.
During those two days they designed and ran off 10,000 rear window #3 tributes and sold them to every race car/auto parts/Chevy dealer that week.
That's a tiny three man part time operation
Think what the big dogs are making right now.
Posted by: solarcane | June 29, 2009 at 01:42 PM
Rob Chudzinski
Posted by: 86Cane | June 29, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Walls covered with various Canes team pictures with the Ibis standing at the end of the row, grinning to himself, peering out of his feathery head at soup.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 29, 2009 at 01:22 PM
Dang it! Never even thought of that?
Back to square one...
Posted by: 86Cane | June 29, 2009 at 01:49 PM
solar - who is this "Matt Bosher" ranked #14?
I can't remember the last time a TE was relevant at The "U". I think Greg Olsen was 2nd in receiving yards in 2006, behind "DUCK!!" Leggett, with 400+ and only 1 TD.
If you're not utilizing them in your offense, don't see why a lot of kids would want to be part of it.
Gresham from Oklahoma is a stud. Him coming back this year for Oklahoma is just as big, if not bigger, than Spikes coming back for the Crocs. The Crocs D could make it without Spikes ... Bradford NEEDS Gresham as his blue blanket. It'll be interesting to see him against the Canes.
Posted by: Six | June 29, 2009 at 02:02 PM
Two of my favorite Sebastian pictures ...
Sebastian and the Oklahoma wagon
http://img69300.pictiger.com/images/18285293/
Sebastian getting roughed up by the po-po
http://img69300.pictiger.com/images/18285294/
Posted by: Six | June 29, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Six,
It's just weird how we went from having the most atheletic TEs to guys that just take up space.
You are right about high school kids thinking, well they got Pat Nix that doesn't have an offense, and they got Kyle Wright that doesn't have a clue.
I would have looked somewhere else too.
I think Whipple will have that attitude TEs have towards us changed before he leaves.
also real sorry in the loss of your friend.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 29, 2009 at 02:14 PM
Good Afternoon Spacers,
Sorry I was on vacation for a few days in Ft.Myers beach.. Very enjoyable weekend but I might have pushed myself a little too hard in the volleyball tournament.
Anyways it sucks to hear about Kent and Bunche..
Truth,
Why is it set in stone that Kent won't be back? I mean is it impossible for him to make up the difference that he needs?
Posted by: CaneSawMassacre | June 29, 2009 at 02:28 PM
...
Posted by: OCALACANE | June 29, 2009 at 02:39 PM
What is the ... for Ocala? Did I say something wrong?
Posted by: CaneSawMassacre | June 29, 2009 at 03:15 PM
No CaneSawMassacre, just dead time around here. It sounds like Kent will be going to a different college. Once he gets started there he loses a year if he tries to transfer.
Bunche going to a prep school is cool, especially Milford? up in NY. He is a New Jersey kid (Milford close to home) and I just found out his cousin is AJ Highsmith, incoming frosh. Also last year we got Brandon Washington from Milford and Harper sounded like he still wanted to come but couldn't get the grades up. Two years ago we kept Cooper after he got sidetracked at Milford. We have a good track record of keeping recruits that go to Milford.
Prince going to another four year school sucks for us but wish him the best of luck.
Posted by: DZ8 | June 29, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Is Joe Brennan coming to the U???
Joe Brennan is one of the better quarterbacks in the Northeast Region and has plenty of offers to choose from, however it looks like the Cherry Hill, N.J., native is nearly ready to make his final decision before mid July.
Joe Brennan(Camden Catholic)
Cherry Hill, NJ 6-4/195/4.65 Interest for Miami High...Other schools of interest: Wisconsin, Stanford, Duke, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Temple
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | June 29, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Bunche might be from Deleware, either one is "in the neighborhood".
Posted by: DZ8 | June 29, 2009 at 03:55 PM
Is Joe Brennan coming to the U???
Joe Brennan is one of the better quarterbacks in the Northeast Region and has plenty of offers to choose from, however it looks like the Cherry Hill, N.J., native is nearly ready to make his final decision before mid July.
Joe Brennan(Camden Catholic)
Cherry Hill, NJ 6-4/195/4.65 Interest for Miami High...Other schools of interest: Wisconsin, Stanford, Duke, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Temple
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | June 29, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Says it is between us and Wisconsin.
Posted by: bg1906 | June 29, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Good afternoon spacers! From what I read, Brennan isn't deciding anything this week.
Posted by: j.w. | June 29, 2009 at 03:56 PM
Solar,
I know for a fact Sebastians are now students.
(There is a competition, and a "few" students are used each season.)
Posted by: roachcane77 | June 29, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Sebastian is now a student? Times have certainly changed.
Posted by: j.w. | June 29, 2009 at 04:29 PM
"You are right about high school kids thinking, well they got Pat Nix that doesn't have an offense, and they got Kyle Wright that doesn't have a clue.
I would have looked somewhere else too."
Solar - LOL sounds like the chorus to some kind of country song
Posted by: CanesgirlNC | June 29, 2009 at 04:45 PM
"You are right about high school kids thinking, well they got Pat Nix that doesn't have an offense, and they got Kyle Wright that doesn't have a clue.
I would have looked somewhere else too."
Solar - LOL sounds like the chorus to some kind of country song
Posted by: CanesgirlNC | June 29, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Or something I once heard Carlos say at a tailgate party while drinking some of that world famous Keoki "RUM" Punch!
Posted by: 86Cane | June 29, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Prince going to another four year school sucks for us
NOT SO MUCH
but wish him the best of luck.
YES WE DO!
Posted by: DZ8 | June 29, 2009 at 03:54 PM
Posted by: 86Cane | June 29, 2009 at 05:15 PM
USA will be back, like we always do. This game was the warning announcement. The rest of these soccer fools are shakin' in their pants because the Big Dog is about to dominate something else.
After we whoop Brazil, we should go on a Worldwide Beatdown Tour. First stop- England. Second stop- Germany. Third stop, those puzzified French. Then the icing on the cake...a good old fashioned azz-whoopin' of Mexico is Mexico City.
Get ready. We're not supposed to be this good this fast. This is an omen for the Canes season.
USA!!! USA!!!! USA!!!! USA!!!
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 05:21 PM
Says it is between us and Wisconsin.
Posted by: bg1906 | June 29, 2009 at 03:56 PM
>>>>>>
Well if that's the case there's no contest.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Solar, thanks for that video reminder of Jacory.
I honestly don't think the people writing these predictions for next season saw that drive, the OT drive or the Duke game, hell, even the NCST and Cal games.
That drive esp. showed his calm, his unflappable "will win" attitude. He faced 3rd and 12 or whatever from his 2 yard line. Then a 1st and 15. Then a 3rd or 4th and long and pulled them all out.
Jacory and the Jets are going to cause a lot of arguments and headaches among DBs and DCs.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 05:31 PM
CSM
I wrote probably by way of how I speak. He can't get in here. It's not even really a clearinghouse thing.
He has to go somewhere else. They were worried about it all along and almost pulled the plug back in January.
Posted by: The Truth | June 29, 2009 at 05:32 PM
"You are right about high school kids thinking, well they got Pat Nix that doesn't have an offense, and they got Kyle Wright that doesn't have a clue.
I would have looked somewhere else too."
Solar - LOL sounds like the chorus to some kind of country song
Posted by: CanesgirlNC | June 29, 2009 at 04:45 PM
>>>>
CGNC that is EXACTLY what it sounds like. lol Classic.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 05:34 PM
How many millions of dollars are silk screeners and T shirt printers making off of MJ tribute shirts this week?
I have a friend that makes bumper stickers/decals/prints tee shirts.
I remember When Dale Earnhardt was killed, he called the two other guys that work with him into the shop less than an hour after Earnhardt was pronounced dead.
They had designed and printed over 2,000 shirts by noon that next day. They sold out in two days.
During those two days they designed and ran off 10,000 rear window #3 tributes and sold them to every race car/auto parts/Chevy dealer that week.
That's a tiny three man part time operation
Think what the big dogs are making right now.
Posted by: solarcane | June 29, 2009 at 01:42 PM
>>>>
Solar, that's true but how often do these events happen, and what do the little dogs do in between??
I'd take a consistent gig over that any day. Feast or famine unless you're a big dog.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 05:37 PM
I wrote probably by way of how I speak. He can't get in here. It's not even really a clearinghouse thing.
He has to go somewhere else. They were worried about it all along and almost pulled the plug back in January.
Posted by: The Truth | June 29, 2009 at 05:32 PM
>>>>
Truth, would you say this is almost a blessing in disguise because he was definitely a RS. Now we have another ship for one of these OL or CBs or another safety for 2010.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Phin'........the U.
Posted by: Hurriphin | June 29, 2009 at 05:42 PM
don't see how the clearinghouse flagged Bunche. He was taking AP courses in his senior year and supposedly had very good grades. Such BS.
Posted by: SuperCooper | June 29, 2009 at 10:47 AM
>>>>>
It always seems to be some BS.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 05:50 PM
I heard it was food poisoning; the autopsy found 13- year-old nuts in his stomach..
Posted by: Aqua | June 28, 2009 at 06:14 PM
>>>>
Crude but funny and not entirely implausible. lol
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 05:54 PM
"My pick is Virginia Tech, followed by Georgia Tech. I'd pick the Hurricanes third."
>>>>>
Solar, see it's statements like this that make me really wonder what these guys think when they write.
We actually BEAT VT last year with Marve, Nix, Cook, Davis and a bunch of other freshmen. But VT will suddenly improve significantly but we'll basically stay the same.
HUH????
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 05:59 PM
Yeah and 86 said it
Losing Kent isn't much of a loss by the staff. No one is crying believe me. Hope that answers your question Cav
Posted by: The Truth | June 29, 2009 at 06:07 PM
All About Sports ranks the ACC Linebacking Corps
1) North Carolina Tar Heels
The Heels had the #1 defensive line in the ACC, now they have the #1 linebackers in the ACC. Obviously North Carolina now can claim the best front 7 in the ACC going into the 2009 season. Junior Quan Sturdivant led the nation in solo tackles with 87 and will play the middle. 6-3 230 lbs junior Bruce Carter will man the strong side. The Heels have plenty of young talent to provide depth. Sophomore Zach Brown is the likely starter at the weakside linebacker position. Sophomore Herman Davidson and 4 star freshman Kevin Reddick will compete for playing time.
4) Miami Hurricanes
After missing most of last season talented Colin McCarthy injury looks to return as leader of an athletic but somewhat inconsistent linebacking crew. Sean Spence the ACC's defense rookie of the year is only 6-0, 211 but is a hard hitter. Senior Darryl Sharpton will likely handle the middle. Arthur Brown arguably the nation's top linebacker recruit in 2008, looks to begin fulfilling the high expectations he came in with.
>>>>>>
See how they gas UNC but don't mention our five star sophomores we have "providing plenty of talent and depth."
They even mentioned VT's ex-teammate but no mention of VT the playmaker.
I'm not saying we have the best LBs but dam. They diss Spence by quoting his weight from last year right after they state he was the All-ACC.
The Payback Tour commences Labor Day.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 06:08 PM
CG,
yea after reading it again, it does sound like something off an AM country station...my bad lol
Capt O
I agree about having to strike while the iron or heat press is hot.
When something that stirs millions of people's emotions happens there's fast big bucks to be made.
9/11 was a windfall for country singers sucking up on the Patriot angle.
Same for flag makers.
WalMart cleaned up on the NRA saturated southern and western states with all those US flags they sold.
The same guys I told you sold all the Dale Earnhardt tributes where right there pounding out 9/11 items.
Business is business.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 29, 2009 at 06:10 PM
Losing Kent isn't much of a loss by the staff. No one is crying believe me. Hope that answers your question Cav
Posted by: The Truth | June 29, 2009 at 06:07 PM
>>>>>>>
Yes, that answers my question.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Capt O we are better off flying under every one's radar.
Let the two bit hack bastards( copyright Cavaleer)write anything based on how we used to play.
With everyone jotting a win on their schedule it will be a big surprise to some folks when we upset a couple big names.
I think Davis, Beamer, Jimbo, Paul Johnson and Stoops are too smart to think we won't come out all guns blazing with Whipple here.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 29, 2009 at 06:21 PM
"I think Davis, Beamer, Jimbo, Paul Johnson and Stoops are too smart to think we won't come out all guns blazing with Whipple here.'
Send this to them...let 'em know what's up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbt30UnzRWw
Posted by: The Truth | June 29, 2009 at 06:26 PM
97 here right now,
Out to mow,feed roses,cut,limbs, and burn a brush pile....
to hell with sittin around an air conditioned club on South Beach ogling 20 year old South American girls, and blobing on Canespace.
I finish my chores early enough
I can run down to the Dairy Queen and watch the 50 year old farmers wives sit on their pick up tailgates and suck back Oreo Blizzards between the gaps in their teeth.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 29, 2009 at 06:30 PM
Someone asked me today who the best football player was that I have seen play in the past 20 years at the HS level...I never as Peterson in HS so it could have been him...but i've seen A LOT of football and I have never seen a kid this good.
You'll be shocked. Makes Vick look like a tool. All phases of the game he was the best...
Better tha Deon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCAkVvNFk-0
Posted by: The Truth | June 29, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Truth I hear ya..
I loved those dudes
I had a flower pot I would wear drumming a few times, I could never score one of those
sleeveless wet suit with a foreskin tops though, I looked everywhere.
back tonight
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 29, 2009 at 06:34 PM
But then again...I have never been so sure of a 1st tound NFL player in the waiting as i was when Miami was going hard after Adrian Peterson.
Better all around football player was Iverson...but NO ONE doubted AP was going to be the top college running back by the time he was a soph...
Posted by: The Truth | June 29, 2009 at 06:45 PM
Solar,
Sincerely you should get a job as a writer for Letterman or SNL.
I get more laughs from you in one day on the "space than I do in a year watching "comedians"
Like they tell me in Tally, " I'll tell you what buddeh...You one funny sombitch."
Posted by: The Truth | June 29, 2009 at 06:50 PM
Cat 5, fenugreek is excellent and should be in that mix as well.
Daily Detox has been around a while. It was one of the first "herbal" teas I ever drank, back in the early 90s. Most of the ingredients in it I've consumed raw and let me tell you, those are FOR REAL plants, compounds.
Dandelion and Yellow Dock are very, very rich in minerals and vitamins and are very, very bitter for this reason.
I took Yellow Dock for a while and actually began to like the extreme bitter taste. It was interesting because at first I could barely smell the stuff without wanting to earl. haha
After a week, though, I liked it.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 06:55 PM
Thanks Truth, I thought u were saying Prince was going to prep.
I guess he doesn't want to wait. ..
So Truth is there any one bit of information, one little peice you could tell us, that would give us some more hope and believe for 2009, instead of just having to drink the kool aid.
What would be your co-sign for the Canes in 2009 slogan?
Posted by: CaneSawMassacre | June 29, 2009 at 06:56 PM
Like they tell me in Tally, " I'll tell you what buddeh...You one funny sombitch."
Posted by: The Truth | June 29, 2009 at 06:50 PM
>>>>
LOL. Solar is amazing with his ability to twist anything into a one-liner or a crazy perspective.
I don't think you were around when he and PB would go back and forth. It was classic.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 06:57 PM
I finish my chores early enough
I can run down to the Dairy Queen and watch the 50 year old farmers wives sit on their pick up tailgates and suck back Oreo Blizzards between the gaps in their teeth.
peace
Posted by: solarcane | June 29, 2009 at 06:30 PM
>>>>>
See what I mean. LMAO!!!!!
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 07:00 PM
Solar, you're right about the two-bit hacks but if we ROMP at Doak and VT, we won't be below anyone's radar, and I think we can ROMP both of them.
GT and OU will be the battle-royales.
Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | June 29, 2009 at 07:02 PM
It's not that Kent can't wait...he just isnt...eh...he can't wait. That's a good way to put it.
Kool-Aid? I ain't drinking no Kool-Aid. The OL better bring it and the DL, too.
the team still doesn't have much depth all around.
Still, I believe in Whip and think this squad can win 2 more games just because of him from last year.
Posted by: The Truth | June 29, 2009 at 07:03 PM
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhh, Gotcha.
Hmmm. How come it took the coaches so long to figure it out?
Posted by: CaneSawMassacre | June 29, 2009 at 07:10 PM