Canespace

From Blowout To Barn Burner

It was late in the first quarter on Saturday at Sun life Stadium when your Miami Hurricanes, already holding an impressive 23-7 lead over North Carolina State, found themselves with the ball and a first and goal situation at the Wolfpack's two yard line courtesy of a NCST turnover and a penalty.

The happy and confident Wolfpack alumni and fans we met in the parking lot before the game were now seated inside the sweltering stadium and looked quiet and concerned that this game was about to be over almost as soon as the smoke had cleared and the game had started.

The Jedd Fisch coached Hurricane offense, led by UM QB Stephen Morris, would almost certainly hand the ball off to the powerful Mike James who run the ball behind Art Kehoe's impressive offensive line and Miami would score and then be sitting on an insurmountable 30-7 first quarter lead.

All of the announced crowd of 38,000 (not quite) or so orange and green clad UM fans (including Kenny, TSully, 86Cane and Hassan seen below) would be able to sit back, try to find a cold beverage and maybe some shade from the oppressive noon day sun and then just relax the afternoon away.

It was clearly evident to all in attendance on both sides of the field that UM was dominating the game and would casually cruise to another easy ACC victory while moving to a 3-0 Conference record atop the Coastal Division. But that was before something really (pardon the pun) Fischy happened.

To the shocking dismay of the Miami fans at the game (like former UM kicker Greg Cox, the lovely Anastasia and Canespacer OGV above) Morris dropped back to pass on first down from the two. As Hurricane fans looked at each other in complete disbelief, Morris scanned the field for an open receiver before settling on tight end Clive Walford, who was wide open and positioned right at the goal line. 

Morris drilled the pass (as he is often known to do on short passes) high and hot to Walford, who in spite of getting both hands on the ball, could not make the catch.  Instead the UM tight end tipped the ball high into the air and (you could see this coming) eventually into the waiting hands of as Wolfpack defender for the interception.

The easy breezy blowout had turned into a nail biting barn burner in the blink of an eye.

North Carolina State would come roaring back not once but twice in the first and second half of the game to give the Hurricanes and their fans enough drama for a full season in one game.

As if the Georgia Tech game last week didn't have enough histrionics for a lifetime of football this game against NC State was almost certainly the final coronary tipping point for the weak of heart.

The UM baby swiss cheese defense gave up enough yardage for a season (664 yards) and enough points to lose the game(37). But the Miami offense behind the (at times) amazing and (other times) erratic Morris, would simply not give up or give this game away and scored enough points (44) to beat the Wolfpack in dramatic fashion with just :19 seconds left on the clock.

On third down and 11 Morris stepped back to pass, scrambled away from pressure and heaved a 60 yard pass to the wide open and waiting Phillip Dorsett.  The elusive deep threat for Miami clutched the ball at the seven and spun into the end zone for the winning score to the delight of the small but raucous crowd still on hand to witness the wild finish under the scorching sun at Sun Life Stadium.

When it was over Miami walked away a winner while sporting a 4-1 season record and a perfect 3-0 ACC tally. It wasn't easy, and it wasn't always pretty but it was another important conference win in a game that just a season or two ago would have almost certainly resulted in a loss.

Anyway you want to slice and dice it, just accept it, put it in a box, and wrap it up. A win, is a win, and as you know the official theme for this season is: "Just Win Baby!"

As UM offensive lineman Jon Feliciano's mother (seen here with TSully before the game) said to me after the game: "It was a win. We'll take it."

Game Day Blog: UM vs NCST

Rise and shine, the moment you all have been waiting for is here:

It is game day college football fans! 

Today's ACC showdown at Sun Life Stadium between your Miami Hurricanes and the North Carolina State Wolfpack is set for a noon kickoff, which in the immortal words of long-time Canespacer and tailgate extraordinaire Keoki, can only mean one thing:

It's time for some kegs and eggs!

Whether you travel light and arrive empty handed or pack up the custom van and arrive fully stocked it makes no difference.  There are only two rules for game day and tailgatinbg:

1. U HAVE TO SHOW UP.

2. WHEN IN DOUBT, SEE RULE #1.

This morning at 8 AM when the parking lot gates open and fans from all across the Country decend upon Sun Life Stadium to celebrate the Fall ritual that happens only a few times a year and has no equal.

There will be the sweet smell of the grill getting fired up, the sound of the tailgate music blaring and the fellowship with over 50,000 of your closest friends that all share one thing in common: their love of Miami Hurricanes football.

Even if you have not yet found the courage to purchase an inflatbale gorilla to mount atop your vehichle just for this occasion you too will still be welcome as long as you pass one test: You must bleed orange and green and pledge your alegiance to The U.

Once inside the stadium and properly lubricated, I mean seated, you will have to rise to your feet once again to cheer on the 'Canes as they run through the smoke and onto the field of battle.

As far as today's game goes our in depth analysis of the statistical data indicates both teams will score points.  However, we have heard rumors on the street that both coaches will attempt to implement a super-duper, top-secret strategy: win the game by scoring more points than the other team. 

We say Miami does win the game by a close score but with a convincing performance nonetheless.

CANESPACE PREDICTION: UM 31, NCST 27

The Short List To South Beach: Week 5

The first month of the college football season draws to a close and only 48 teams remain in ontention on the Shortlist to South Beach for 2012.  By conference affiliation they read as follows:

LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State, Northwestern, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, TCU, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Baylor, Iowa State, Florida State, Clemson, NC State, Maryland, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Miami, Duke, Southern Cal, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Stanford, Oregon State, Washington, Louisville, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, Ohio, Louisiana Tech and UTSA.

A pair of teams won games in two entirely different fashions last week that I called for them to lose and find themselves eliminated because of;

1) Miami plays with fire once again but finds a way to escape with their Shortlist lives intact, for another week at least, with a 42-36 overtime win in Atlanta against the Yellow Jackets.  Now let's see, where did I leave that crow recipe the webmaster of this place gave me last year?  In all seriousness it was great to see Steven Morris get better as the game got to crunch time and I personally hope he uses this effort as a springboard to play with that same level of focus for a full sixty minutes this week as well.

2) Louisiana Tech goes to Urbana-Champaign and douses the Illini of Illinois by a score of 52-24.  I consider this conclusive proof that you can take the Zooker out of the coach's office but you can't take the Zooker out of the program just by firing him.  Sonny Dykes' Bulldogs notch win number six in 36 tries against BCS automatic qualifier schools and go for number seven this week against Virginia.

A total of five teams lost games last week and find themselves eliminated from the Shortlist to South Beach thanks to the final scores:

1) Illinois gets absolutely hammered by Louisiana Tech in what is quickly turning into a season to forget for the Big 10 conference that can't count to 12.  Good luck getting that bowl streak extended now Illinois as a perfect home record will be needed barring any road upsets that likely only have the season finale at Northwestern as even a possibility the rest of the way.

2) Iowa finds a way to lose in Iowa City to Central Michigan 32-31.  Ladies and gentlemen, I give you your three time Big 10 coach of the year, Kirk Ferentz!  How he's managed to follow the legend that was Hayden Fry for this long going on average about 7-5 for these last 14 years, I have no idea.

3) Georgia Tech gets the worst possible start a triple option team can hope for, finds a way to storm back and then gives up a two touchdown lead in the final fifteen minutes to tank their season before September even gets to its last week.  For a team now playing with it's coach's recruits only, the trend for this program is as unsettling as their defensive passing completion percentage numbers are.

4) That thudding sound you heard last week was the falling over dead of the laughable concept of a Florida 'Big Four' of football programs as USF comes home from Muncie, Indiana as 31-27 losers to Ball State.  Next up for the Bulls, a fight with the Seminoles of Florida State, who just happen to be looking for their first win in the series against South Florida.  This time, there's no Jim Leavitt to save them either so enjoy the sub .500 record to start October, cattle.

5)  What would the last Shortlist in September be without the Connecticut Huskies doing their part to make me look bad as they fall in Kalamazoo to Western Michigan 30-24?  At least they held NC State to only 10 points at home during their other loss on the season two weeks ago but how do you get torched for three touchdowns and field goals each by a directional Michigan school ever?

I expect eight teams this week to fall from Shortlist contention as October arrives, one of which is not like the other:

Mississippi, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Washington and UTSA.

If you guessed, "They're coached by a national championship winning coach," you're right! 

"Non-BCS auto qualifier," would also be acceptable I guess too.  No, again, I didn't forget to count correctly, as once more, I saved the most important pick for last when the Wolfpack visit the Hurricanes in what amounts to another Shortlist elimination game on Saturday. While shutting down a one-dimensional offense last week was inspiring in UM's comeback win, their inability to prevent a shockingly high completion percentage with their suspect defensive scheme against diversified offenses leads me to believe they'll fall just short this week against pro prospect quarterback Mike Glennon in what should be an entertaining, but ultimately disappointing home loss and Miami is my final elimination prediction this week.  Hey, at least this year they're the last Miami, Hurricane, or UM to fall off the Shortlist, so that's a welcome change as far as I'm concerned.

Enjoy the games this week and join me back here next week as hopefully I'll be sitting down for another heaping serving of crow, not Gray again of course, at the hands of the Hurricanes and we pull closer to the magic number of 25 teams remaining here on the Shortlist to South Beach!

Copyright 2012 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com

When The Wolfpack Comes To Town

After spending three of the first four weeks of the 2012 season on the road this week your Miami Hurricanes get to enjoy some home cooking as they take on North Carolina State at Sun Life Stadium at noon on Saturday.  It will be the 14th all-time meeting between the programs, with UM owning a 7-5-1 series edge. However, the Wolfpack has won the last two meetings.

Here are some more quick facts about the Hurricanes coming out of big win against Georgia Tech and headin into their showdown with the Wolfpack:

• Miami and NC State have not met on the gridiron since Nov. 29, 2008 — the longest stretch between two meetings for Miami’s ACC opponents.

• Since joining the ACC in 2004, the Hurricanes are a 35-31 in conference play and are 1-2 against NC State during that span.

• Freshman RB Duke Johnson has 838 all-purpose yards through four games, the national leader in that category. He is on pace for 2,514 yards in 12 games. The single-season all-purpose mark at Miami is 2,102 by Willis McGahee in 2002.

• Eight of Miami’s 20 scoring drives this season have needed less than two minutes.

• For the second consecutive week, a Miami RB scored four touchdowns in a game. Against Bethune-Cookman, Duke Johnson had two rushing, one receiving and one kickoff return for scores. At Georgia Tech, Mike James rushed for three touchdowns and added another on a receiving score. The Canes are the only team in the nation to have two different players score four touchdowns in a game.

• Junior QB Stephen Morris threw for a career-high 436 yards in Miami’s 42-36 road win at Georgia Tech. Morris is the first UM quarterback to throw for 400+ yards since 2002 and it was the most passing yards by a UM QB since Gino Torretta’s 485 yards against San Diego State in 1991.

NC STATE SERIES HISTORY

• Saturday will mark the 14th series meeting, which dates back to 1939. Miami leads the all-time series, 7-5-1, but NC State has won the last two meetings by a combined score of 57-44.

• Miami and NC State have only met three times as ACC members, with the Wolfpack holding a 2-1 advantage in the ACC-only series.

• No active player on Miami’s roster has faced NC State.

A WIN BY MIAMI WOULD...

• Give the Hurricanes their first three-game winning streak under Al Golden and first since the 2009 season.

• Give the Hurricanes a 2-0 record on the season at Sun Life Stadium.

• Give the Hurricanes their first 3-0 ACC start since 2004 — the first season in the conference.

• Give the Hurricanes their first 4-1 start to the season since 2009.

QUICK HITS

• Through four games, 17 freshmen have seen action for the Miami Hurricanes, including 14 true freshmen.

• Five freshmen have started at least one game for the Miami Hurricanes — true freshman RT Ereck Flowers, true freshman RB Duke Johnson, true freshman WR Malcolm Lewis, true freshman S Deon Bush and redshirt freshman LB Eddie Johnson.

• Junior QB Stephen Morris ranks fourth among ACC quarterbacks in passing yards per game (267.2) and fifth in total offense (274.5).

• Freshman DE Tyriq McCord and DE Anthony Chickillo are tied for fifth in the ACC and tied for 91st nationally in sacks per game (.50). Chickillo is also tied for first in the ACC with .50 fumble recoveries per game.

• Nearly 70 of Miami’s 2012 roster hails from Florida (67 players), including 21 that hail from Miami-Dade County. 

PLENTY OF OPTIONS

• Miami has 14 different players that have at least one reception in the first four games of the season.

• Allen Hurns, Rashawn Scott, Phillip Dorsett, Clive Walford, Malcolm Lewis, Duke Johnson, Davon Johnson, Mike James, Asante Cleveland, Kendal Thompkins, Eduardo Clements, Dyron Dye, Maurice Hagens and Herb Waters each have at least one grab through two games.

• Sophomore WR Phillip Dorsett leads UM with 21 receptions and 273 receiving yards this season.

 MR. JAMES’ CAREER DAY

• Through the first three games of the season, senior RB Mike James had not found the end zone. In Miami’s 42-36 OT road win at Georgia Tech, James scored four times, including three rushing scores and the 25-yard game-winning scamper in overtime. James finished with 15 rushes for a career-high 89 yards and three scores. He also added a 10-yard TD reception.

• James became the second Hurricane in as many weeks to record four TDs in a game. Freshman RB
Duke Johnson accomplished the feat against Bethune-Cookman. Prior to last week, the last UM player to score four times was Tyrone Moss in 2005 against North Carolina.

Road Warriors Have No Fear

Former Genesis drummer and singer-song writer Phil Collins once sang: "I can feel it coming in the air tonight...hold on."

Those lyrics and that song became a staple at football stadiums all across the Country and was a mainstay on the playlist at the historic Orange Bowl whenever the Hurricanes would take the field for warm-ups. Even now I can still recall the goosebumps I got when that song played at The Old Lady.

Well, before the Georgia Tech game last Saturday in Atlanta you could feel the tension, no make that fear, in the air and all around Miami Hurricane fans. It was so thick on the blog that you could barely read the comments through all the smoke and fire that was coming from the destruction and havoc that was predicted by some bloggers and most national media types to be waged upon the poor players wearing orange and green by the mighty Ramblin' Wreck of Georgia Tech.

Even some hard-core, long-time, tried and true Canes fans had their panties in a bunch or their knickers all in a wad about Miami's chances on the road against a tough, physical team like GT and the Yellow Jackets potent triple option offense.

And though I am tempted I am not going to resort to naming names but let's just say they were out there. It seemed that unlike the good old days of the Miami Hurricanes' domination of college football over a 20 year period between 1983 and 2003, many of these fans over the years had lost more than a few of the letters needed to spell out S-W-A-G-G-E-R.

But that fear was either cast aside or met head on by several Canespacers who showed that they were not afraid and walked directly into the belly of the beast known as Bobby Dodd Stadium.  These fearless fans stared right into the mouth of the the wolf and didn't even blink.

Canespacers like SarasotaCane, UMike, AlpharettaCane, TSully, and even someone who goes by the interesting blog name of "The Brown Recluse" came from near and far to cheer on their Hurricanes.

For four quarters these fearless road warriors supported their team, through the ups and downs of the tumultuous game, when Miami was leading early and trailing late, they kept their faith in the team from the 305. They stood and stomped and screamed and cheered their hearts of for the players from The U.

And in the end these road warriors and their Miami Hurricanes brought home a huge ACC win in a game that none of the so called "experts" predicted that they would win.

Except one, and that would be me. Now I didn't get the score exactly right, and I didn't get to go to Atlanta to watch the game in person, but I did predict the win. And what a win it was!

This win by this young Hurricane team at Georgia Tech, and the manner in which it occurred, simply cannot be understated.  In fact this game may turn out to be the turning point of not only the 2012 season but of Al Golden's tenure at Miami.

It was game of monumental momentum swings and lead changes and major injuries and comebacks by a team that easily could have quit. Down 36-19 in the third quarter on the road in Atlanta your Miami Hurricanes could have packed it in and headed home. But they simply refused to lose.

Al Golden's hardened troops didn't give in and and they didn't give up.

These players, this team, would not quit on their coach or on each other. 

Instead they played together as a team, like a team of fearless road warriors.

And when the game was over, the only smell in the air was not that of fear, but the wonderful smell of sweet, sweet victory.

Young Guns Dominate New Depth Chart

An amazing 30 underclassmen, including an astonishing 11 starters, were listed on the latest two-deep depth chart released by Miami head coach Al Golden following the Hurricanes' 42-36 spectacular come-from-behind OT road win at Georgia Tech.

Hassan's favorite Freshman Ereck Flowers has made four consecutive starts at right tackle, while RoachCane's Legend of the Fall selection redshirt Freshman LB Eddie Johnson has started three straight games. Cornbread's favorite Freshman S Deon Bush has started the last two games.

 

The latest depth chart is without Freshman WR Malcolm Lewis, who suffered a gruesome ankle injury in the game against the Yellow Jackets. The injury was so apparent and severe that it led to UM head coach Al Golden rushing onto the field to hold and comfort Lewis in his time of need.

 

Here is Golden's interview and comments on the injury after the game: 

 

 

The move by Golden was a genuinely moving and touching gesture that has gained some national notoriety. But most importantly, we all hope and pray for a speedy recovery for Lewis who was already making an significant impact on the team as a true freshman.

 

Also off of the depth chart were the previously announced redshirt junior LS Sean McNally and redshirt senior LB Ramon Buchanan, who have each suffered a season-ending injury.

 

The Hurricanes face North Carolina State this Saturday at noon at Sun Life Stadium (ESPNU).

I Love To Say It: "I Told U So"

I WAS RIGHT. OGV WAS WRONG.

MIAMI (3-1, 2-0 ACC) 42, GEORGIA TECH (2-2, 1-2 ACC) 36

BOBBY DODD STADIUM • ATLANTA, GA.

SEPT. 22, 2012 • ATTENDANCE: 50,390

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

• Today’s Captains: RB Mike James, QB Stephen Morris, CB Brandon McGee and DE Shayon Green

• Weather at Kickoff: 85 degrees, sunny. Wind from the W at 11 mph. 43 percent humidity.

TEAM NOTES

• Miami’s third play from scrimmage was a 65-yard TD pass from QB Stephen Morris to WR Phillip Dorsett. It was the longest play from scrimmage of UM on the season.

• For the fi rst time this season, the Hurricanes scored the fi rst points of the game. Miami opponents had scored fi rst in the prior three games.

• RB Mike James’ 1-yard TD run to end the fi rst quarter was the fi rst rushing TD allowed by Georgia Tech on the season.

• Miami was credited with safety in the fi rst quarter. It was the fi rst safety for the Canes since Sept. 17, 2009 when Georgia Tech’s Chandler Anderson kicked an errant snap through the back of the end zone.

• The Canes led 19-0 after the first quarter - the biggest lead after the opening period since leading Charleston Southern, 21-0, on Aug. 28, 2008. It was the largest margin over an ACC opponent after one since going up 21-0 over Wake Forest, 21-0, on Nov. 20, 2004.

• Jake Wieclaw’s third quarter 23-yard FG was the first score allowed by the GT defense in either the second or third quarter this season.

• Miami’s 17-play third quarter drive was the longest of the season for the Canes. It was also the longest drive of any ACC team this season.

• The Canes recorded nine tackles for loss in the game.

• Miami has now won its last four meetings against Georgia Tech.

• It was the fi rst overtime win for the Hurricanes since defeating Virginia, 24-17, in Charlottesville on Nov. 1, 2008.

• Miami had 609 yards of total offense, the fi rst time reaching 600 since racking up 629 against McNeese State in 2000.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Today’s Defensive Starters: DE Anthony Chickillo, DT Darius Smith, DT Olsen Pierre, DE Shayon Green, LB Eddie Johnson, LB Jimmy Gaines, LB Tyrone Cornileus, CB Brandon McGee, S A.J. Highsmith, S Deon Bush and CB Thomas Finnie.

• Today’s Offensive Starters: TE Clive Walford, LT Malcolm Bunch, LG Jon Feliciano, C Shane McDermott, RG Brandon Linder, RT Ereck Flowers, TE Dyron Dye, FB Maurice Hagens, QB Stephen Morris, RB Mike James, WR Phillip Dorsett.

• WR Phillip Dorsett was the recipient of a 65-yard pass for a TD on Miami’s third play from scrimmage. The reception was the longest of Dorsett’s career. At games’ end, Dorsett set a new career high with 184 yards - the seventh-most in a single game in program history. 

• After making his first collegiate appearance on a kick-off against Bethune-Cookman, redshirt freshman Matt Goudis made his first appearance as a punter. Goudis replaced Dalton Botts who was injured in the second quarter.

• Junior QB Stephen Morris set a new career-high in passing yards, 436. It was the fi rst time a UM quarterback had throw for over 400 yards since Ken Dorsey had 422 at West Virginia in 2002. The 436 passing yards for Morris is the fifth-most in program history.

• Sophomore DE Anthony Chickillo recorded career-highs with seven solo tackles and three tackles for loss on the day.

• Senior RB Mike James scored a career-high four touchdown in the game (three rushing, one receiving). James also set new career-highs with 89 rushing yards for the game and 15 carries. He now has 14 rushing touchdowns and three receiving scores in his career.

I WAS RIGHT.  OGV WAS WRONG.

Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself

Today when the University of Miami football team takes the field against Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta it is very possible that the Yellow Jacket fans may notice a certain smell coming from the UM players.

No, not the pleasant, confident smell of teen spirit but the strong, repulsive smell of fear. If that is indeed the case then it could be a long day for your Miami Hurricanes against their ACC Coastal Division rival and very possibly for the rest of the 2012 college football season.

But I have reason to believe that by the end of the game the smell coming from the UM football team will not be of fear but much more like that of Napalm in the morning.  The smell that Miami fans who traveled all the way up to Atlanta will be pleasantly surprised with at the end of the game will be the the sweet smell of victory for the Hurricanes over the Yellow Jackets.

Here are our keys to the game and how and why we believe that Miami will shock the world:

UM must take an early lead: Miami has trailed their opponents early in each of its three games so far this season.  UM staked Boston College and Kansas State to 14 point cushions in games one and two and then gave a 7 point edge to BCC last week.  That cannot happen against GT this week or it may be good night Gertrude for the 'Canes.  The Yellow Jackets' run oriented, triple option offense is built to play with the lead and not as a come from behind team. If Miami can jump out to an early lead and keep scoring pace with GT throughout the game the Jackets may be forced into a track meet and into doing what they do not want to do: throw the ball.

UM must diversify their offense and control the ball and the clock: Keeping the potent and powerful Tech offense off of the field may be the only way to keep them from scoring against Miami's young, inexperienced (and hopefully improving) defense. If Miami is able to run the ball consistently, convert on third down, sustain long scoring drives and control the time of possession (something they have not been able to do in 2012) they will give themselves a good chance to win the game. If Miami fails to do so it may be Katy bar the door as UM's undersized and out-manned defensive line is forced to go up against GT's solid and experienced offensive front seven. A successful UM running game will set up the play action pass for QB Stephen Morris and his fleet footed wide receivers who may have a shot at some big plays against the suddenly aggressive, Al Groh coached Yellow Jacket defense.

UM must win Special Teams: This often overlooked part of the game usually accounts for about one third of all plays run during an average football game.  For Miami to have any chance of winning on Saturday they will have to take advantage of their superior special teams speed and skill and score on a return or block or both.  Duke Johnson and Phillip Dorsett have both shown the ability to break big returns on kickoffs and punts and will likely have to come up big for the 'Canes once again this week. Miami's kick and punt coverage teams have been stellar so far this season and may need a punt block or a turnover for Miami to leave Atlanta with a win.

UM must resort to trickeration: We have been told by several very "unreliable sources" that Miami will break out every trick play they have in the playbook this week against Georgia Tech. Of course that is IF they actually have any.  Our sources could not confirm or deny if these plays even exist and refused to talk to us on camera. Of course we have never met these sources, would not know what they look like if we did, and someone recently stole our only camera so that was not really going to be a problem anyway. And by the way, where the heck is former Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sporano when you really need him anyway? (wink, wink)

The bottom line is supposedly people who know things, people like college football guru Phil Steele, the Las Vegas odds-makers and even The Pope have no reason to believe that the Miami Hurricanes will beat Georgia Tech this Saturday in Atlanta. But I think they are all wrong.

I think that this Miami Hurricane team has nothing to fear but fear itself. And if I am right, you will never hear the end of it!

Canespace Prediction: UM 38, GT 34

The Short List: Week 4

As the first month of the 2012 season winds its way down, there remain only 57 teams left in contention on the Shortlist to South Beach and they list as grouped by conference affiliation as follows:

LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Illinois, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Northwestern, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, TCU, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Baylor, Iowa State, Florida State, Clemson, NC State, Maryland, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Miami, Duke, Southern Cal, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Stanford, Oregon State, Washington, USF, Louisville, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Temple, Notre Dame, Ohio, Louisiana Tech and UTSA.

A single team won a game last week that I predicted them to fall from the Shortlist by losing.  Can you guess who it could have possibly been?

1) Well, it's late September, which as all long time Shortlist readers here on Canespace know means it's time for me to start mentioning the myriad number of times the Connecticut Huskies will defy my predictions for their elimination in any given season.  This year we get to start by examining their narrow road win in Maryland against their old coach last week by a score of 24-21 as I can only shake my head is resignation that I just need to stop predicting them to ever lose any game ever.  Barring that, maybe a move back down to FCS play would do the trick as well for me so I can stop being shown up by this team that should instead be wondering how long until Midnight Madness is it now?

A trio of teams fell in one score games that lead to them being taken off the Shortlist in 2012 a fortnight from October, they are:

1) Kentucky waits a whole week to hit the non automatic qualifier letdown switch in the locker-room as they lose in overtime at home to Western Kentucky 32-31.  Just like that Joker Phillips looks to be performing for a completely different court at the end of the year as his team is back on track to suffer their third loosing season in a row.  How long until Midnight Madness is it now?

2) Indiana falls for the third time in a row to Ball State 41-39 in Bloomington.  Kevin Wilson has already doubled last years win total though so this can still be considered progress for the Hoosier football team.  How long until Midnight Madness is it now?

3) Boston College still can't win in Evanston, Illinois as they fall once again to the Wildcats of  orthwestern 22-13.  Surprisingly Chase Rettig isn't Doug Flutie reincarnated early and didn't throw for four football fields' worth of yards, he only does that against Miami every other time he plays them, never against the Big 10.  The Eagles can't even look forward to how long until Midnight Madness is it now, so I guess that makes them the big losers this week?

I expect seven teams to find deletion from the Shortlist this week when the clock reaches zero for them: Missouri, Michigan, Maryland, Virginia, Temple and Louisiana Tech.

From the all time victories leader to the repatriated Big East all time losers, each deleted team will bring the Shortlist incrementally that much closer to the next milestone of only 25 or less teams remaining and the rankings becoming based on worthiness of national title contention resume instead of conference affiliation. 

.

No, I didn't miscount, despite only six teams listed above I left the most crucial pick this week for last when it comes to Canespace reader's awareness, as Georgia Tech and Miami play in what amounts to a Shortlist elimination game in addition to the crucial division race repercussions.  As well as Miami has played the last three years in turning back what had become a nightmare match-up for them when Chan Gailey was the head-coach in Atlanta, this year I just don't see it working out so well for the Hurricanes.  I predict another bad coaching job leads to a disappointing double digit loss to a team that could be stopped cold by some of the better college programs in the country and my final Shortlist elimination prediction this week is: Miami.

Try to enjoy the games this week and join me back here next week as hopefully I'll have a nice big helping of crow with a capital C, not Gray though, served up for me to enjoy here on the Shortlist to South Beach where we'll go through the survivors and see who overcomes and who falls by the wayside as the first month of play prepares to finish up.

Copyright 2012 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com

Technically Speaking

Miami will face Georgia Tech in the Canes’ third road contest in four games. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:09 p.m. EDT on several Regional Sports Networks.

It will be the 18th all-time meeting between the programs, with the Yellow Jackets owning a 10-7 series edge. However, the Canes have won in each of the last three meetings. 

• After defeating Bethune-Cookman, the Hurricanes are 7-0 following loss with in the Al Golden era.

• Since joining the ACC in 2004, the Hurricanes are a 34-31 in conference play and are 4-4 against GT during that span.

• Freshman RB Duke Johnson has 638 all-purpose yards through three games, putting him on pace for 2,552 yards in 12 games. The single-season all-purpose mark at Miami is 2,102 by Willis McGahee in 2002.

• True freshman DE Tyriq McCord collected the first two sacks of his career against Bethune-Cookman, giving him the team lead in that category and placing him in a fourth-place tie among ACC student-athletes.

• Miami has 14 different players that have at least one reception in the first three games of the season.

• Six of Miami’s 14 scoring drives this season have needed less than two minutes.

• Senior PK Jake Wieclaw has converted on all five FG attempts and has made seven consecutive field goals overall — tied for the fifth longest FG streak at Miami. He has also connected on all 11 of his PAT attempts and had converted on 50 straight in his career — the seventh-longest PAT streak in school history.

• Nearly 70 of Miami’s 2012 roster hails from Florida (67 players), including 21 that hail from Miami-Dade County.

• Four Miami Hurricanes are among 312 seniors named to the 2013 Senior Bowl Watch List, the nation’s premier all-star game announced August 23. Senior RB Mike James, DB Brandon McGee, DT Darius Smith and S Vaughn Telemaque represent the Hurricanes on the Senior Bowl’s inaugural watch list.

 • Saturday’s meeting with Georgia Tech will be broadcast regionally in several markets, including: FS Carolinas, FS South, Sun Sports, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, NESN, FS Tennessee, FS San Diego, FS Arizona, FS Prime Ticket, FS Houston, FS North Plus, FS Southwest and FS Wisconsin will each carry the 3 p.m. EDT contest.

• Miami’s Oct. 6 game against Notre Dame in Chicago will be televised nationally at 7:30 p.m. EDT on NBC.

• Through three games, 17 freshmen have seen action for the Miami Hurricanes, including 14 true freshmen.

• Five freshmen have started at least one game for the Miami Hurricanes — true freshman RT Ereck Flowers, true freshman RB Duke Johnson, true freshman WR Malcolm Lewis, true freshman S Deon Bush and redshirt freshman LB Eddie Johnson.

• In the first 15 games of the Al Golden era, Miami has used 11 different defensive starting lineups.

• Notable Miami ACC statistical rankings: 2nd in kickoff returns (28.86), 4th in rushing offense (154.33), 5th in net punting (38.85), 5th in turnover margin (.00) and 6th in scoring offense (30.67).

• Notable Miami NCAA statistical rankings: 15th in kickoff returns, 41st in net punting, t54th in turnover margin, 58th in scoring offense and 68th in rushing offense.

• Duke Johnson ACC statistical rankings: 1st amongst all-purpose runners (212.67); 1st in scoring (12.00); 2nd in kickoff returns (33.89) and 4th in rushing (82.67).

• Duke Johnson NCAA statistical rankings: 2nd amongst all-purpose runners; t9th in scoring; 11th in kickoff returns and 57th in rushing.

• Freshman DE Tyriq McCord is tied for fourth in the ACC and tied for 58th nationally in sacks per game (.67).

• Senior PK Jake Wieclaw is tied for third in the ACC and tied for 15th nationally in FG per game (1.67).

• Senior P Dalton Botts ranks fifth in the ACC and 51st nationally in punting (41.38).

• Sophomore WR Phillip Dorsett ranks fifth in the ACC and tied for 57th nationally in punt return average (6.33).

• Saturday will mark the 18th series meeting between GT and UM, which dates back to 1955.

• In last season’s meeting, then-freshman LB Denzel Perryman recorded his career-first sack, a three-yard loss for the Yellow Jackets. In the fourth quarter, Perryman forced a fumble, also the first of his career. Perryman tied his then-career high of seven tackles.

• Miami has won the last three meetings by a combined score of 92-34.

• Give the Hurricanes their fourth consecutive victory over Georgia Tech, taking the three meetings by a combined score of 92-34.

• Give the Hurricanes a 2-0 record in ACC play, with both coming on the road.

• Give the Hurricanes their first 2-0 ACC start since 2009.

• Give the Hurricanes their first 3-1 start to the season since 2010.