The Bourne Ultimatum

This blog was submitted to Canespace by Joshua Bourne...

 

When you read this we will be just a short time away from kickoff against FSU.  Miami fans are more confident about the progress of their team right now than they have been in many years. Let's take a deeper look as to why Cane fans are so excited.

 

The Canes return virtually the entire offense that averaged 27.3 ppg in 2008.  Miami also returns almost every skill position player on the team including RB Javaris James who is in the best shape of his life and RB Graig Cooper who put on weight and improved his speed. RB Lee Chambers has really improved and carried over the success he had against Cal (6.7 ypc) in the Emerald Bowl into the Spring and Fall.

 

True Freshman RB Mike James stepped on campus and immediately dominated spring practice.  New Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple has gone on record saying he has designed plays just for this Freshman phenom. RB Lamar Miller, another true Freshman, was a HS track star and maybe as fast as Travis Benjamen.  He is very scary in the open field where he is likely to be found returning kicks.

That is 5 RB's, two of whom have 48+ games more experience than FSU's entire RB roster, giving us the best running back depth since we had Portis, McGahee, Gore and Davenport on the team at one time. Even third stringer Lee Chambers averaged 6.4 ypc last year in spot duty in 2008. 

Running the ball will be key in this game. And Miami's RB's all vary in size and strength's. With backs ranging from 190 to 225 pounds Miami has the luxury to hit the ball hard up the middle or take it outside. FSU's starting RB, Jermaine Thomas, may be undersized at 195 pounds while Ty Jones, his backup, has good size at around 210 pounds. The third back on the roster is barely pushing 185 soaking wet.

Offensively FSU lost its top RB, top two WR's and three of their top five leading receivers from last year. Miami returns both of its top two RB's and six of its top WR's/TE's. 

Not even going to get into trying to compare WR's between both teams. We have incredible depth at the position, none like I have ever seen at Miami at one time in the 15 years I have closely followed the program.

 

I know Goodman and Easterling for FSU have a lot of talent, and I don't deny that FSU has several other WR's on the team that have a ton of potential. What they are lacking is size. With Goodman, Reed, Owens, and Easterling all 6' or less. That's 4 of FSU's top 5 receivers lacking good size. Doesn't mean they will lack in production, but it is historically well known smaller receivers are not red-zone threats. The loss of 6'6" Gregg Carr will be felt hard for FSU's red-zone Passing Offense.

As for the defensive side of the ball, FSU has several great players coming back in CB Patrick Robinson and LB Dekoda Watson. But they lost a TON of production on that side of the ball. They will be trying to replace 4 of their top 5 tacklers, their top 3 sack leaders and their All American safety.

 

At the same time Miami RETURNS 4 of our top 6 tacklers, 6 of our top 7 sack leaders, and Freshman All American LB Sean Spence.

 

Additionally, FSU is banged up at DT right now and their DT's appear undersized. Miami should run the ball very effectively and control the clock. Last year Miami had the #1 Red-zone Offense in the ACC and 3rd in the country. Lou Groza award finalist, Matt Bosher, is back for us at Kicker whereas FSU is breaking in a freshman kicker and asking him to perform well in the biggest first game of his life.

Here's the bottom line: I do expect FSU to run the ball against our Defense. Same can be said for Miami running the ball against FSU. I think both offense's will struggle at times throwing the ball but Miami will have an edge offensively. If this game comes down to Special Teams I think with Travis Benjamin returning Punts, Lamar Miller or Craig Cooper Kicks, and Matt Bosher kicking Field Goals we have the advantage.

BREAK DOWN OF TEAM ADVANTAGES

OFFENSE:
OL: FSU
QB: EVEN
RB: MIAMI

WR: MIAMI
TE: MIAMI

DEFENSE
DE: EVEN (With Ojomo and Moncur out)
DT: MIAMI
LB: EVEN
CB: FSU

S: EVEN

SPECIAL TEAMS:
PR: MIAMI
KR: MIAMI
Kicker: MIAMI

MY PICK: CANES 34 / FSU 27

Comments

[Canez1]

Act like you been ther before!!

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Canez1]

Act like you been there before

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Fran]

#2 probably

[Esteban]

even at safety? i like it overall tho.

[raizecane]

Go Canes.....

[Fran]

soup .... I have a pic taken at canesfest while you and Ocala & Mrs Ocala were out getting pics of players. We were guarding the shirts and brochures. I saw this little tyke with her mom and asked if I could take their picture I explained about Canespacew she said yes let me know if you want it for upper Left photo

[27AveCanes...]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMCra9OLj_Y&feature=rec-HM-fresh+div

It's on

[raizecane]

86 - have u not had a chance to check your email?????

[SOUP]

Canez1...U need U some Canespace gear! U know what to do.

Fran...if not for your recent injury I am SURE U would have been first. Plus U got your gear already!

[Fran]

sorry upper Right :-(

[SOUP]

Raize...I checked it but have not replied yet. If you knew how much stuff I get daily it would make your head spin!

For the Orlando game watch U should go here, Canchic and Angry will be there with Canespace gear:

Welcome to the home page of the University of Miami Orlando Alumni Club! We welcome all UM alumni, friends, parents and families to participate in our events.

UM vs. Florida State Game Watch Party
Hurricane Grill & Wings 2401 West SR-434, Suite #141 Longwood, FL 32779 407-772-5504
Date: 09/07/2009
Time: 8:00 p.m.

Join the Orlando Alumni Club in cheering on the 'Canes as they take on Florida State! To R.S.V.P. or for more information, please contact Mark McKay, B.ARCH '95 at orlandocanes@aol.com.

[SOUP]

Fran...YES! See U for the UCF game.

Anybody on here live in Tallahasse?

[Canez1]

86

If anything I owe you.

Thanks again for all you do for us crazy Canez fans.

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[SuperCooper]

I hate waiting.

[Fran]

photo sent to ....Host@canespace.com.... We will be at "The SHARK " for Oklahoma, Clemson & Virginia.
Some controvery here because of less time for tailgating at Brighthouse (UCF) due to a death last year

[pb(CSROH10)]

Canez1, I'm understaning where your'e coming from but...

I think Spence and Jacory have the old school mentality like we havent seen here in years.

It's all about making the Canes better.

I'm just a soldier!!!!

[JameriCane]

Soup, you going to the Orlando game watch at Hurrricane Bar & Grill tomorrow? I think Canechic is going too. I'll be there about an hour before kickoff so I can secure a decent seat. Can someone have 86 come by and bring by a Canespace shirt in orange and 3xl for a big Cane fan? See ya'll tomorrow! Go 'Canes!

[canechic]

Jamericane I have a 2XL only. Raizncane email me at tlwflores@hotmail.com.

[HurricaneRick Machiaveli]

if Miami goes undefeated do we play in the bcs championship game an vs who

[Aces & Canes]

It's bout time boyz.
Cant wait...We ballin BOYZ.

Go Canes

[CanesAddiction]

Great post Bourne! Awesome stats dude! That's a high PPG, higher than I thought. Also, I didn't realize that Nix was so good in the red zone...at least he was good at something. I'm sure Bosher did a lot of that heavy lifting..

I was a little surprised at your score prediction. You have UM with a lot of edges at key positions and a close final score? Why so close?

[SunriseMike]

86, any chance of gettin a tee for coming in first yesterday?

[Canez1]

PB I hear ya.

I love the kids we have on this team right now and think they are going to lead us back to greatness.

I am just selfish and want every balla in the country here!! LOL

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[dlu]

Bourne how can you have even at DE?? Fsu sucks at DE

[Esteban]

i was looking at the predicted score and thought to myself...i have no clue what to guess when it comes to what the score will be.

[mr troutman]

I'm just a soldier!!!!

Posted by: pb(CSROH10) | September 06, 2009 at 07:03 PM

Be careful saying that since we have sesative panty boys and idiots getting on Winslow saying that.... Most street PEOPLE and SOME your average Joes knew what he meant ...ONLY LAME A$$ MEDIA BOYS AND SENSATIVE OLD WHITE VETERANS (sorry yall i have to keep it real because who else was complaining besides them. . ...What a F%$$@&^CKING JOKE SOME OF THESE LAMES ARE.

[Esteban]

dlu, i was gonna say that too, but then thought about our DEs. Until they actually live up to their potential its only potential. So can't count that as being proven goods. So end up about as proven as FSU. Just slightly more proven, but not a big deal more.

[bhamcanesfan]

Almost 24 hours. I feel worse than a child on christmas eve. I'm normally optimistic on the day before the season but this year I have a anxious feeling.

Got Some Canes over here!!

[AngryCane]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QPl2vK6014&feature=fvsr

LESS THAN 24 HOURS!!!!

[AngryCane]

"Almost 24 hours. I feel worse than a child on christmas eve..."

Posted by: bhamcanesfan | September 06, 2009 at 07:53 PM

SERIOUSLY...

Whom is really going to be able to go to sleep tonite???

[dlu]

Esteban, on that I do not agree, way more proven to me.

[dlu]

I think this yr. as a whole the DE's position is going to be one of the strength's of the team.

[dlu]

I add that even with all of the players out, the U still have Bailey, and Forston that practiced for some possible situational play. So, the U has quite a bit of flexibility at DE.

[Esteban]

who's way more proven of the bunch tho? just going off what they did numbers wise last year.

[Canefantasy]

Christmas eve... except I was neither bad or good this year and Santa could be nice and give me a win or give me a lump of coal. I just dont know what to expect. The great unknown... dont know what I am getting this year. I love the U so so much Santa please please PLEASE GIVE ME A WIN!!! GO CANES!!!

[Nashvillecane]

Wats da weather forcast for mon nite???

[Esteban]

dlu, i just went and looked up the numbers....i will rescind my last statement. i still believe our guys aren't that proven, but damn FSU's besides two guys have no stats.

[Canesfan4life]

Anyone going to be watching the game in Houston?

I've tried to OD on college football this weekend and I still can't wait for Monday night.

[Calvin]

Here's what i do kow, if Fsu, like virginia under-estimates jacory harris, they're going to be in for a long game. Also, i hear them talking about the unknows of being ale to prpepare for our 2 new coordinators, but the one thing su and a whole lot of other teams have not had to prepare for, and basically we made it easy for them, but they haven't had to prepare for us having a qb who can audible and recognize defenses.

jacory did that last year on the goa-line against the gators as we all well know by now, but mickey andrews the last few years has just been able to tee off on our offenses because what ever play was called was the play we were going to run the last at least 5 years. Those days are over, not only do they have to prepare for whipple, but they'l have no idea what audibles we're calling as well, so go ahead and get blitz happy this year.

Also, i'm not giving Fsu the o-line advantage over us, to me that's even or we're better. They didn't do any better than we did, they just called the right running plays at the right time, take away ponders yards and it was nothing special. It was one of those game where jimbo fisher had bill young chasing his own tail, that's what it came down to.

I'm glad Fsu's confidence is high, because that's what we want. I'm not buying the they don't have receivers notion. forston and reed can make plays. THey got speed on offense and if we underestimate their offense, we'll be the ones looking crazy. We got the guys we need to succeed, i hope we win the coin toss, so we can get back to what we always did, let the defense get on the field 1st and set the tone, defer to the second half.

If Fsu wins the coin toss, take the ball 1st. This game means a whole lot to both programs, not only in who wins, but how the game is played. jimbo fisher, comes out running than bubble screen. He's also going to try and strike quick if he can. The defense he saw in the second half is what's coming monday night though for 4 quarters. We made ponder look like chris rix in that second half, especially after the spence touchdown.

CHanging topics though, all this shannon talk, here's how i look at it, shannon and jacory harris have been held to way higher expectations than any headcoach/qb combo that's ever been here at this stage of the game besides dennis erickson who took over a championship team. It's definitely a whole lot higher than dorsey and itch davis.

That's how i look at shannon in all this, davis came in when the program was down a lil bit, we still were putting out 1st round talent, nobody had high expectations for butch davis because no one really knew what to expect. I for one didn't like when butch davis came in, i didn't forget all the negative talk about how he was going to clean up the program etc. etc. On the field though we were pathetic as ever. The oc was doo-doo than and he's still doo-doo now, run right(no yards), run left(2 yards)than pass on 3rd downs. Often times a run was called on all 3 downs.

We were the most conservative offense with all the talent we had. butch bringing in talent is undeniable, because he put the recruiting focus back where it should have been, shannon has done the same thing. All i know is, when butch came in with that bs message of cleaning up the program, the people i know were pissed, alumni, etc. etc. He was trying to keep them off the sidelines back than too, that's why like steve walsh said, they're supporting randy shannon 1st off because he's one of them.

In other words, for the 1st time in the history of UM, one of the guys who helped to make UM football known to the world, is leading the charge back to the top, from player to headcoach coming full circle. Winning a championship as headcoach is the last/only way shannon hasn't done it. At the same time, shannon is only focused on guys being focused, he knows everything else will take care of it's self.

I luv the feeling going into this game, alot of people want to be cautious and not get over confident, but the truth of the matter is, we finally got a real team again on both sides of the ball, playing consistently at a high level last year was our main problem and that's hard to do with that many young players, is to continue to play at a high level all game. Now that we got alot of guys that shannon sealed up in his 1st/basically last minute recruiting class that will get alot of minutes in graig cooper, dvd, jojo nicolas, allen bailey, franklin, jaw ojomo, hankerson and reliable lee chambers and harland "i committed 1st(to shannon)" gunn. To have that many guys that can be relied upon in your 1st recruiting class is pretty good.

When you look at their potential, 5 to 6 of them could actually end up as 1st round draft picks. figs will moe than likely have to step his game a few notches up to get gunn out of their, the competition at the spot will more than likely be on going. What we know though is, harland "up and coming larry allen" work out monster gunn, should be able to man-handle guys like he did marvin austin in the all army game.

[SOUP]

86, any chance of gettin a tee for coming in first yesterday?

Posted by: SunriseMike | September 06, 2009 at 07:32 PM

Sure if it can be documented. Prove it!

[Esteban]

and i think projecting for this year...i'm excited about our DEs, but still gotta show and prove come tomorrow night and the rest of the season. have to be consistent. and am i the only one who expects to see Moncur on the field tomorrow?

[SOUP]

Anyone going to be watching the game in Houston?

Posted by: Canesfan4life | September 06, 2009 at 08:29 PM

Houston Alumni Club

Welcome to the home page of the University of Miami Houston Alumni Club! We are working to plan a variety of activities and would like to have your input. We welcome all UM alumni, friends, parents and families to participate in our events.

UM vs. FSU Game Watch Party
Texadelphia, 6025 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77057 713-785-6700
Date: 09/07/2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Join the Houston Alumni Club in cheering on the 'Canes as they take on FSU!

RSVP to: Allison Esenkova at aesenkova@yahoo.com

[Canesfan4life]

Just found out that Tailgate Overtime on Sunshine Network has been canceled. Not a great show but I like most of the info that they brought to the show. I've always liked to listen to Todd Wright.

[SOUP]

and am i the only one who expects to see Moncur on the field tomorrow?

Posted by: Esteban | September 06, 2009 at 08:30 PM

NOPE

[canechic]

Soup you already in Tally?

[Esteban]

and looking up the numbers...Steven Wesley was our leading tackler amongst the DL last year. No sacks tho.

[SOUP]

Soup you already in Tally?

Posted by: canechic | September 06, 2009 at 08:38 PM

NEGATIVE. Leaving at 7 AM from the CCC arriving in Trailernasty at 12 noon.

Meeting Canespacers at 1 pm.

Going to the PBCC tailgate at 2 pm.

UMAA event at 5 PM.

Game at 7 PM.

"I Got This" at 11 PM!

[SOUP]

Sounds like a George Straight song:

"Traliernasty By Morning"

[AngryCane]

"...ONLY LAME A$$ MEDIA BOYS AND SENSATIVE OLD WHITE VETERANS..."

Posted by: mr troutman | September 06, 2009 at 07:40 PM

You know what I'd say to those types whom were complaining?

IT'S DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL... GO PLAY INTRAMURALS BROTHER, GO PLAY INTRAMURALS!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4T26x6GZEw

[SunriseMike]

All this waiting is killin me...

Does anyone know if we are going to have to do this Labor Day game again next year? I think when we started this the last time back in 2004 we signed up for 2 years and then added the 3rd game after that.

86, sent you and email.