It was a cold and gloomy night. The rising moon peaked out between the low, hovering clouds and glistened on the surface of the dark waters of Tampa Bay.
Three miles off the coast, in what looked like a simple shrimp trawler the warriors prepared to unleash their evil plot. With faces covered in camouflage paint and their weapons locked and loaded, they readied themselves for the dangerous mission behind enemy lines.
Hardened by previous battles and strengthened by months of practice these soldiers were anxious for action.
Frustrated by years of failure, their plan was to hijack the ACC Championship game and steal the trophy that they could not win on the field. But in the end it was not to be. At the last minute the plan was aborted when orders came down from General Shannon back at the Canespace Command Center and the warriors were ordered to stand down.
Miami would have to wait another year to win it on the field and then secure what has so easily eluded them: The ACC Championship.
OK, OK, so Tom Clancy I am not, but I was at Raymond James Stadium for the ACC Championship game in Tampa last night. Surely that must count for something, right?
While your Miami Hurricanes have yet to play in much less win an ACC title they were certainly watching as one team they beat convincingly (#12 Georgia Tech) and one team they lost to in overtime (#25 Clemson) battled it out for the title of 2009 ACC Champion.
The Yellow Jackets had to get a push start to get their offense going but once they got their motor running they would outlast and outscore the Tigers 39-34 in an offensive showcase for both teams.
As you can see from the photo above, these young ladies were going "all in" and after a short chat had me absolutely convinced that C.J. Spiller was a thriller. And he was! Number 28 for the Tigers was nothing short of spectacular once again as he collected 301 all purpose yards and scored four touchdowns. Spiller put on another performance that almost assuredly will have him among the top five candidates for the coveted Heisman Trophy.
Then I wandered over to the Tech side of the stadium and found these two young ladies effectively advocating for Georgia Tech's plan to use Head Coach Paul Johnson's grind it out, ball control, option offense to try to keep the ball away from the dangerous Spiller. While things did not quite go according to plan, the Jackets managed to generate enough offense and score enough points to overcome the Tigers' primary weapon. Well we can't all be right, right?
But enough about them, let's talk about us. So here it is: In 2010 Miami will not only play in the ACC title game but will win their first ACC crown. That's right, I am predicting it even before the 2010 recruiting class is signed, before Spring practice rolls around and way before the next football season even starts.
Yeah, I said it! Now, somebody vault that.
Pittsburgh, Meineke Car Care Bowl (#17)
Posted by: miamimike01 | December 06, 2009 at 05:16 PM
We're almost guaranteed the Champs Sports Bowl, any less than that would be a surprise!
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Update 12/2 - Florida Citrus Sports will announce what teams will square off in the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl and 2010 Capital One Bowl this Sunday, December 6, as part of a special Selection Sunday event at Wall Street Plaza in Downtown Orlando. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | December 06, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Man, it's official, it's USC vs Boston College, reported by ESPN, saw them tweeting it!
Damn it! would've been nice to play USC, wouldn't mind going in a lesser bowl game aslong as it's the elite programs we're playing.
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:22 PM
in what bowl game, Spence?
Posted by: miamimike01 | December 06, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Man, playing Northwestern would be an ultimate snoozer game, i'm not one bit excited about it!
Would prefer these teams:
Tenn
USC
LSU
ND
Oklahoma rematch
Ok St
WVU
Georgia
I wish they would just eliminate the contractual binding between Conferences and Bowl games, just play what is appealing, please!
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Emerald Bowl, mike
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Texas A&M vs Georgia, Navy vs Mizzou, Stanford vs Oklahoma
So far, that's what they're reporting that are official!
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:31 PM
I dont like the ACC .. just think we get treated like the step sister compared to FSWhoeee
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | December 06, 2009 at 05:33 PM
One thing for sure there are going to be alot of really interesting bowl matchups with the way this season ended.
I like it. Teams that would never play each other are getting a shot.
keeps it interesting.
GO CANEZ!!!!!
Posted by: Canez1 | December 06, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Miami, no.14 in AP
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:33 PM
LSU vs. North Carolina, Chick-Fil-A Bowl
Posted by: miamimike01 | December 06, 2009 at 05:33 PM
playing Northwestern would be an ultimate snoozer game...
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:27 PM
To say the least...
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | December 06, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Florida dropped to no.5, TCU and Cincy jumping ahead, but boise couldn't
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:34 PM
I got a feeling with the UNC pick to the Peach Bowl, UM is headed to the MCC or Music City.
Champs Sports will pick VT, Gator gets FSU, Clemson to Music City, UM to MCC.
I think that's how it will go.
Posted by: miamimike01 | December 06, 2009 at 05:37 PM
why is LSU in the Chick Fil-A Bowl all the time?
Posted by: Daytoncane | December 06, 2009 at 05:37 PM
USC is a goner in the top 25, it's weird enough to see them past the top 15, it's even weirder not seeing them there at all!
Now you got TCU, Utah, Boise, Cincy ahead of the usual powers, it's just weird!
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Chick-Fil-A Bowl is between the VOLS and VA Tech
Posted by: CaniaK aka True Canes | December 06, 2009 at 05:38 PM
mike, i hope UNC smack the hell out of LSU! do you think it will happen??
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:39 PM
wait, that's wrong. Scratch LSU and UNC. That's the Kickoff Classic next season...
my bad, sorry folks
Posted by: miamimike01 | December 06, 2009 at 05:39 PM
yeah, whatever happened to VT locking up the chick filet????
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:40 PM
No. 19 Stanford to play Oklahoma in Sun Bowl.
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | December 06, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Dayton
LSU's got a contractual agreement to feed the entire school with chick filet, in return they will play in the peach bowl every yr, haha
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:42 PM
http://www.volunteertv.com/sports/headlines/78646397.html
Posted by: CaniaK aka True Canes | December 06, 2009 at 05:42 PM
Where you guys getting this information, which channel/website?
Posted by: shwarma | December 06, 2009 at 05:43 PM
The Gator Bowl is official.
FSU vs WV
I hope WV beats the breaks of off FSU
Posted by: moneycane | December 06, 2009 at 05:43 PM
MiamiMike it is official Tennessee will play VA Tech
http://www.volunteertv.com/sports/headlines/78646397.html
Posted by: CaniaK aka True Canes | December 06, 2009 at 05:43 PM
North Carolina will not be playing LSU
Posted by: CaniaK aka True Canes | December 06, 2009 at 05:46 PM
The BCS BS and the Bowls fraud take so much away from a great sport which is college football...The NCAA needs to change the system...Soon!!!
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | December 06, 2009 at 05:46 PM
shwarma, ESPN is tweeting them right now on their website, college football section, atleast that's where i'm getting mine!
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Nice job on the blog, 86 -- read it on T back from the BC gaem. Tough loss for our CANES tonight. Gonna be a slog thru the ACC AGAIN ths year. Me gusta Haith -- y the team -- but we aint that good -- need some power in paint no REBOUNDING at all -- I hate when we just come down court and chuck the rock w/o setting up...
Im biased to my Hoyas, but the great thing JTIII has instilled is an O that passes UNTIL a shot opens up. IT's sometimes annoyign to watch but it's a heck of a lot better than making a stop on D -- having a good outlet pass and then proceeding to turn ball over after one shot w/o rebound.
That's what CANES did tonight -- allot!
Oh well... the "crowd" in Chesnut Hill was reminicent of those at the BUC. It is final exam time though ---
remember when Paul Dee put the UF game during Xmas break a few years back? NO ONE but gaytor fans in the student section --- PAUL D -- the same "richard" who let Corker fire everyone and scheduled USF for five friggin years AND got the AD into bigger debt then even small banana republics have? F him and F the GAYTORS
Lots of good will come to the football program over the next few weeks --
bowl game in good weather -- espn gushing all over the "U" video --- stability at the coordinator level (yeah, I said it) ---
The future looks bright --- amigos!
Look on bright side, 86 -- the next ACC championship will be @ will be in the queen city --- and the CANES will be there!
MOUNT UP!
Itzall
aBout
Dem
CANES!
Posted by: darCANEgel | December 06, 2009 at 05:48 PM
86-- you got the juice. can't hear from manny or shandel. six is the beastly blogger!!!
(killian in the house-- c/o 86 btw!)
Posted by: 1caneinatl | December 06, 2009 at 05:48 PM
SSIB - Thanks
Posted by: shwarma | December 06, 2009 at 05:50 PM
Money, i guess you're one of those who doesn't care about conference bragging rights!
either way, i myself would love to see FSWho get the beatdown of their lives, be careful what you wish for!
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Northwestern to the outback bowl, looks like we get wisconsin if we make the champs
Posted by: Loco - looking for quality christmas gifts? check out www.cutco.com and then email me at tjl516@aol.com | December 06, 2009 at 05:55 PM
VT and tenn are official in the chick-fil-a
Posted by: Loco - looking for quality christmas gifts? check out www.cutco.com and then email me at tjl516@aol.com | December 06, 2009 at 05:56 PM
Miami VS Northwestern in the Champs according to CBS site...
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | December 06, 2009 at 05:56 PM
FSU will get beat down in Gator Bowl, some farewell...
UF will lose 2nd in a row...
Your Canes will destroy North-issouri or who ever they pick to be the dead team walking...
Hey recruits: Where is your future the brightest????
Go Canes!
Posted by: 404Canes404 | December 06, 2009 at 05:57 PM
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/bowls/predictions
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | December 06, 2009 at 05:58 PM
And yes, wisconsin officially in champs sports...
Posted by: Loco | December 06, 2009 at 05:58 PM
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/schedules/bowls
As they become official, it gets filled in... Just keep refreshing
Posted by: Loco | December 06, 2009 at 05:59 PM
SSiaB I want the ACC to do well, but I think it's ubfair for FSU to get handed a premier bowl. And look at the type of team that WV is. A team where you D needs to have discipline to handle the mis direction. Unless they make WV give FSU the game it should be an ugly blowout
Posted by: moneycane | December 06, 2009 at 06:00 PM
10 win season, here we come!
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 06:03 PM
Money, maybe ol' Bobby needs more money for his retirement, that gator bowl payout money should only help out! lol
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | December 06, 2009 at 06:07 PM
yep, Gator is official, as reported by moneycane...
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/breaking-news/story/1368961.html
Posted by: miamimike01 | December 06, 2009 at 06:08 PM
Mike wat up. I was hoping the Canes would get the Gator so we could get up in J'Ville. How are you and Randy doing
Posted by: moneycane | December 06, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Non-BCS Games
Date Game Location TV Time Matchup/Result
Jan. 6 GMAC Mobile, Ala. ESPN 7 p.m. MAC vs. ACC No. 9
Jan. 2 Alamo San Antonio ESPN 9 p.m. Big Ten No. 4/5 vs. Big 12 No. 5
Jan. 2 Liberty Memphis, Tenn. ESPN 5:30 p.m. East Carolina vs. Arkansas
Jan. 2 Cotton Dallas FOX 2 p.m. Oklahoma State vs. Mississippi
Jan. 2 Papajohns.com Birmingham, Ala. ESPN 2 p.m. Connecticut vs. SEC
Jan. 2 International Toronto ESPN2 Noon South Florida vs. MAC
Jan. 1 Gator Jacksonville, Fla. CBS 1 p.m. West Virginia vs. Florida State
Jan. 1 Capital One Orlando, Fla. ABC 1 p.m. Big Ten No. 2 vs. SEC No. 2
Jan. 1 Outback Tampa, Fla. ESPN 11 a.m. Northwestern vs. Auburn
Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Atlanta ESPN 7:30 p.m. Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee
Dec. 31 Insight Tempe, Ariz. NFL Net. 6 p.m. Big Ten No. 6 vs. Iowa State
Dec. 31 Sun El Paso, Tex. CBS Noon Stanford vs. Oklahoma
Dec. 31 Armed Forces Fort Worth, Tex. ESPN Noon MWC vs. C-USA
Dec. 30 Holiday San Diego, Calif. ESPN 8 p.m. Pac-10 No. 2 vs. Big 12 No. 3
Dec. 30 Texas Houston ESPN 3:30 p.m. Big 12 No. 8 vs. Navy
Dec. 30 Humanitarian Boise, Idaho ESPN 4:30 p.m. WAC vs. MWC
Dec. 29 Champs Sports Orlando, Fla. ESPN 8 p.m. ACC No. 4 vs. Wisconsin
Dec. 29 EagleBank Washington D.C. ESPN 4:30 p.m. Army/C-USA* vs. ACC No. 8
Dec. 28 Independence Shreveport, La. ESPN2 5 p.m. Texas A&M vs. Georgia
Dec. 27 Music City Nashville, Tenn. ESPN 8:30 p.m. SEC vs. ACC No. 5/6/7
Dec. 26 Emerald San Francisco ESPN 8 p.m. Boston College vs. Southern California
Dec. 26 Meineke Car Care Charlotte, N.C. ESPN 4:30 p.m. ACC No. 5/6/7 vs. Pittsburgh
Dec. 26 Little Caesars Detroit, Mich. ESPN 1 p.m. MAC vs. Big Ten No. 7
Dec. 24 Hawaii Honolulu ESPN 8 p.m. Nevada vs. SMU
Dec. 23 Poinsettia San Diego, Calif. ESPN 8 p.m. MWC vs. Pac-10 No. 6
Dec. 22 Maaco Las Vegas, Nev. ESPN 8 p.m. Oregon State vs. BYU
Dec. 20 New Orleans New Orleans ESPN 8:30 p.m. Sun Belt No. 1 vs. C-USA
Dec. 19 St. Petersburg St. Petersburg, Fla. ESPN 8 p.m. Rutgers vs. UCF
Dec. 19 New Mexico Albuquerque, N.M. ESPN 4:30 p.m. MWC vs. WAC
this is what we know now.
Money, yeah too bad about the Gator. ACC and Swofford dropped down a notch in my book. Crooked, old fogeys running my favorite sport. What an outrage.
Posted by: miamimike01 | December 06, 2009 at 06:15 PM
i would have loved for us to play USC.
i don't care if it was the Emerald Bowl or not.
The Meineke Car Bowl against Pitt wouldn't be bad either.
I want a good, tough matchup.
Posted by: Esteban | December 06, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Este, wisconsin has a good running game and decent defense
Posted by: Loco - for holiday gifts look at www.cutco.com then email me at tjl516@aol.com | December 06, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Kirby Hocutt is upset and thinks it's unfair
not to play in the Gator Bowl...
Do you have the bowls for the players and teams that deserve it or for a coach retiring....
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | December 06, 2009 at 06:20 PM