Game Day Blog: The Pattern

If you are reading this article then it is very likely that you have been following the University of Miami football program under head coach Randy Shannon over the last four years. 

You probably know that Coach Shannon has shown steady progress and improved the team's regular season record by two games each and every year at Miami, going from 5-7 in 2007, to 7-5 in 2008 and then 9-3 in 2009. 

Unfortunately for Team Shannon that will not be possible in 2010 with the team already sitting at 5-3 (3-2 ACC) eight games into this season with four games remaining.

Shannon's over all record since taking over the head coaching duties at Miami is 26-20 overall and 14-15 in the ACC. 

During this time there has emerged a confusing if not disturbing trend or pattern in winning and losing games whether at home or on the road. 

 
The pattern, especially over the last two years most often looks something like this: W L WW L WW L WW L W.  Yet, trying to understand why the pattern exists or attempting to solve the problem has been much like solving Rubik's Cube: frustrating, time consuming and full of trials and errors. 

The riddle Miami fans, coaches and players have been trying to figure out is: Why do the Hurricanes play lights out at times and at other times as if the light never even came on?  The next question is how does this team break the negative pattern of following a big win with an even bigger loss?

 
Following that pattern, and after the shocking loss to Virginia last week, the game against Maryland is a lock to go down as a "W" for the Hurricanes this week as is the game against Georgia Tech.

The next loss would be to Virginia Tech at home before a final season ending win against USF also at Sun Life Stadium. 

So Hurricane fans do you believe in "The Pattern"?   Does it exist and if so why?

Do you believe that the pattern will hold true once again and that Miami will finish at 8-4 this season with wins over Maryland, GT and USF and a loss to VT? 

And if the pattern does hold up and the Hurricanes do end up at 8-4 how will you feel about that outcome for the 2010 season?

Comments

[raizecane]

damn rubics cube......

[NativeCane]

Crush Dem Toitels!!!

Go Canes!!!

[raizecane]

at 8-4 how will you feel about that outcome for the 2010 season?

*****************************************

If we had lost to the teams we were possibly suppose to lose to, I wouldn't be too upset. However, losing to Virginia has left a bad taste in my mouth.

[raizecane]

For those of you in the Orlando area, if you are not going to the game, Canchic, Angry, Rashad and myself will be getting together at the Hurricace Grill in Longwood for the game today.

GO CANES

[SOUP]

MH

It's tough to say who's feeling more pressure to get the job done on homecoming Saturday against Maryland -- University of Miami coach Randy Shannon or new starting quarterback Stephen Morris.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/05/1911262/the-heat-is-on-for-morris-shannon.html#ixzz14V4hn9eN

SS

LaRon Byrd declared with a huge grin this week that for the first time in his life he was going to be the biggest Georgia Tech fan.

If Georgia Tech had beaten Virginia Tech Thursday night, Byrd and his Miami teammates would have been back in control of their destiny. Instead, the Hurricanes have to hope some more as their chance to play in the ACC Championship Game shrivels.

That's assuming the 'Canes (5-3, 3-2) can even win their next three games, starting with Saturday's noon game against Maryland (6-2, 3-1) on Homecoming. There's considerably less belief in that happening from those outside the program after last week's 24-19 loss at Virginia.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/um-hurricanes/

PBP

As Stephen Morris walked toward the University of Miami's bench last Saturday following his first series as a college quarterback, TV cameras zoomed in on the freshman's eyes.

"They were looking for that deer-in-the-headlights look," said Joe Zaccheo, Morris' coach at Miami-Monsignor Pace High School. "Nah, nah, nah. That's not Stephen. The kid is mature beyond his years."

Morris proved that a little later. He rallied the Hurricanes to three fourth-quarter touchdowns against Atlantic Coast Conference-opponent Virginia on the road. And while the comeback fell short (UM lost 24-19), the quarterback earned rave reviews for his gutsy performance

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/hurricanes/miami-hurricanes-freshman-qb-stephen-morris-to-start-1024778.html

Ledger

http://www.theledger.com/article/20101105/NEWS/11055062/1002/sports?Title=QB-Morris-to-Make-First-Ever-Start-for-Canes

U

THE MIAMI-MARYLAND SERIES
Despite sharing the same conference, Miami and Maryland have not met since 2006, the year before Randy Shannon became the Hurricanes’ head coach.

Maryland holds a one-game edge in the all-time series with Miami, 8-7. In the only meeting between the two teams since Miami joined the ACC, the Terps came away with a 14-13 win in College Park on Nov. 11, 2006.

A ‘CANES WIN OVER THE TERRAPINS WOULD…
- Improve Miami’s home record to 3-1 this season.
- Move the Hurricanes’ record to 4-2 in ACC play with two regular season conference games remaining.
- Make the ‘Canes bowl eligible.

http://theufootball.com/

Posted by: NativeCane | November 06, 2010 at 08:15 AM

[SOUP]

For those of you in the Orlando area, if you are not going to the game, Canchic, Angry, Rashad and myself will be getting together at the Hurricace Grill in Longwood for the game today.

GO CANES

Posted by: raizecane | November 06, 2010 at 10:08 AM

COOL DEAL.

[pbcfrcane13]

Great read can't disagree with the facts and yes blogging from the stadium if my post start to make less sense its the beer I seeswear lol

[pbcfrcane13]

Would say this wow w/e stayed home is missing out on great football weather

[pbcfrcane13]

Whoever

[SinisterCane]

27-24 maryland :(

Speical teams plays like speical ed

[solarcane]

SJMAN,
nice post o the last blog, I even appreciated the little barb at me.
I know it upsets you when some of us point out the fact we are a ship without a rudder.
It doesn;t mean we are not fans it simply means we see things for what they are.
Like I said nice post

and Go Canes!

[SOUP]

Would say this wow w/e stayed home is missing out on great football weather

Posted by: pbcfrcane13 | November 06, 2010 at 10:15 AM

That is true. Enjoy the day, the game, the beer and cheer LOUDLY!

[SOUP]

27-24 maryland :(

Speical teams plays like speical ed.

Posted by: SinisterCane | November 06, 2010 at 10:20 AM

The always positive Sinister pokes his head in the door once again.

Bosher misses another extra point and I'm gonna freak!

[pbcfrcane13]

Soup I.am my friend thank you

[SOUP]

Solar...any new videos for today's game?

How about one with Shannon and Friedgen discussing the teams records and their fates before the game?

[mi@mic@ne]

Ok... going to stir the pot... Randy has shown he is clappies cousin. You know they are going to score today... because of all of the excuses about injuries.. Its time for the Whip to show that he deserves the head coaching job...
We must match their points output and i will stand behind the big pay day for the Whip.
Its a lot to ask for a young qb but the hard throws are the difference for this offensive success. We must be successful in passing today.

[pbcfrcane13]

I'm betting first o play is a playaction bomb to TB heard it hear first

[Ohio_Cane]

Like I said in the last blog, believe me or not, I GOT THIS TODAY!!

33-17, Canes!

LM6 goes for 100+ and 1-2 tds leading the way!

[raizecane]

I'm betting first o play is a playaction bomb to TB heard it hear first

Posted by: pbcfrcane13 | November 06, 2010 at 10:47 AM

I'l take that bet.......LOL

[raizecane]

Here is my prediction.....someone will win, someone will lose.

[pbcfrcane13]

What does the space think the first play with be by whipple

[SOUP]

LM6 goes for 100+ and 1-2 tds leading the way!

Posted by: Ohio_Cane_4_Life! | November 06, 2010 at 10:48 AM

I'm with U on the LM6 prediction.

KILLIAN COUGARS IN DA HOUSE!

But I am done doing scores and "I GOT THIS" has been retired, at least for the rest of the season.

[SOUP]

What does the space think the first play with be by whipple?

Posted by: pbcfrcane13 | November 06, 2010 at 10:51 AM

Play action, quick three step drop, throw the quick out to the TE Gordon.

[pbcfrcane13]

To Gordon?!! I hope not well be looking at 2-10

[raizecane]

What does the space think the first play with be by whipple?

Posted by: pbcfrcane13 | November 06, 2010 at 10:51 AM

Off sides penality by our left tackle.....

[SOUP]

To Gordon?!! I hope not well be looking at 2-10

Posted by: pbcfrcane13 | November 06, 2010 at 10:56 AM

I never said he'd catch the ball, did I?

[pbcfrcane13]

Lmao!!!

[Sarasota 'cane]

Let's go 'canes!!

[Ohio_Cane]

What does the space think the first play with be by whipple?

Posted by: pbcfrcane13 | November 06, 2010 at 10:51 AM
----------------------------------------------

First play by Whipple is a run, outside, to LM6 for a 7 yard gain.

[j.w.]

Alright, I want this win, very badly. I've got serious fears that we'll struggle because I think the team doesn't believe in the staff any more. I'm predicting Maryland 31-20. But don't think for a minute that I'm rooting any less for a victory and will gladly eat crow when we win. :)

[Spif]

If the canes get behind, the quit in them will come out again.

Morris was THRUST into the game, he literally didn't have time to get the jitters. Could be a different scenario today.

The Shannon paranoia syndrome continues to rage.

[NativeCane]

What does the space think the first play with be by whipple?

Posted by: pbcfrcane13 | November 06, 2010 at 10:51 AM

Bubble screen, just to remind everyone what life was like before Whipple. ha

[pbcfrcane13]

Pre game news only one of the hurricanes signs made to the field and the guys holding almost blew away fing funny

[fmcane]

Anyone know how can i watch the game in Ft. Myers?

[macjones]

Anyone know how can i watch the game in Ft. Myers?

Posted by: fmcane | November 06, 2010 at 12:05 PM

Go to ' CHANNELSURFINGNET.COM., ' fmcane.

Because, the game is being carried by the Surf. LOL

[mi@mic@ne]

Missed the blitzing lb... rushed the throw by Morris... cant we give this young qb some time?

[SWFLCANE]

It's on ESPNU. If you don't have it go to JUSTINTV on internet. You can stream it from there

[macjones]

Well, it's a wee bit difficult picking up the blitz, when the Whipple Factor EMPTIES THE BACKFIELD. lmao

Oh, but the six'ER would say lack of execution.

[SWFLCANE]

15yards straight up the gut on first down. Why run to outside next two downs?

[macjones]

A three-year starter shouldn't be making those type of penalties.

But then again, this is Miami. One of the most penalized college football squads in the nation.

[mi@mic@ne]

Shannons not even upset about that cheat call.. oh well the guys are graduating.

[mi@mic@ne]

Its nice to see the d backs actually rotating to the back he before gets going.

[mi@mic@ne]

Rite over henderson

[mi@mic@ne]

On a rope babyyyyyyyyyy Morrissssssssss

[macjones]

Morris' arm rockets one to Benji.

Posted by: macjones | November 06, 2010 at 12:23 PM

[ZarO]

IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WHIPPLE SAID....F*CK RUNNING I GOTTA GO DEEP. LOL NICE THROW AND CATCH...!!!

[mi@mic@ne]

Where have you been MORRIS?

[macjones]

L.M. made that look too easy!

[mi@mic@ne]

The ST suck .. oh well the guys are graduating.

[SinisterCane]

way to go Miller

Go Canes