The Shortlist to South Beach begins the second half of the season with only 34 teams left on it, still grouped by conference affiliation as follows:
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LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia, TCU, Kansas State, Texas Tech, Baylor, Iowa State, Florida State, Clemson, Duke, Southern Cal, Arizona State, Oregon, Stanford, Oregon State, Louisville, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Notre Dame, Ohio, Louisiana Tech and UTSA.
A pair of teams won games last week in what can be considered a weekend of revenge for historical cellar dwellers as they stay in Shortlist to South Beach contention for another seven days;
1) Iowa State seizes on TCU's starting quarterback Casey Pachall's arrest on suspicion of a DUI game suspension and pulls the upset in Fort Worth 37-23. Cyclones' coach Paul Rhoads will need his team to find another opportunistic upset to bag the rest of the way to get bowl eligible as their already difficult schedule is about to reach the toughest portion to digest over the next four weeks. Still, finding himself a game over .500 for his career stay in Ames is no minor miracle for a perennial tough post to produce at for coaches and you can't count him out from getting back to the postseason for the third time in four years here.
2) Duke is able to stave off their fans asking, "When does midnight madness tip-off this year," for at least one more week as they crush Virginia at home 42-17. Mike London finds out that Wallace Wade Stadium and the included walk from the locker room isn't a very easy place to play anymore as the Blue Devils pull one win away from that ever elusive bowl for them at his expense. Yes, you read that right, the ACC Coastal division's final Shortlist Survivor in 2012 is David Cutcliffe's mighty Duke Blue Devils, check your apocalyptic calender predictions and plan accordingly.
A pair of teams won games last week in what can be considered a weekend of revenge for historical cellar dwellers as they stay in Shortlist to South Beach contention for another seven days;
1) Iowa State seizes on TCU's starting quarterback Casey Pachall's arrest on suspicion of a DUI game suspension and pulls the upset in Fort Worth 37-23. Cyclones' coach Paul Rhoads will need his team to find another opportunistic upset to bag the rest of the way to get bowl eligible as their already difficult schedule is about to reach the toughest portion to digest over the next four weeks. Still, finding himself a game over .500 for his career stay in Ames is no minor miracle for a perennial tough post to produce at for coaches and you can't count him out from getting back to the postseason for the third time in four years here.
2) Duke is able to stave off their fans asking, "When does midnight madness tip-off this year," for at least one more week as they crush Virginia at home 42-17. Mike London finds out that Wallace Wade Stadium and the included walk from the locker room isn't a very easy place to play anymore as the Blue Devils pull one win away from that ever elusive bowl for them at his expense. Yes, you read that right, the ACC Coastal division's final Shortlist Survivor in 2012 is David Cutcliffe's mighty Duke Blue Devils, check your apocalyptic calender predictions and plan accordingly.
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Balancing out the pair of meek program uprisings just noted were two tarnished powers that lost last week to find themselves off the Shortlist in 2012:
1) Nebraska gets routed in Columbus as Ohio State grinds them to meal, 63-38. No truth to the rumor that new AD Sean Eichorst is looking into finding a way to play 12 games a year in Lincoln, not that he'd actually answer a question from the media between now and his retirement or dismissal about it if he was. So you couldn't win the evolved Big Eight and now can't win on the road in the Big 10 that can't count? I hear the Big East is looking for members Sean, maybe it's worth a look?
2) UCLA gets brought down from the stratosphere they've been traveling on as they fall in Berkley to a listless California team 43-17. While the road team coming out on the short end of the final score isn't anything new in this series recently, the defensive lock-down that befell the Bruins at the hands of the Bears is for this year. Coach Jim Mora is ironically still just a win away from beginning his Los Angeles coaching tenure 5-2, something cheating Pete Carroll managed to invert after his first seven games across town 11 years ago to get his respective fan-base counting down the days to his departure before paying enough to take over a conference full of one sided teams while pretending to look the other way obliviously. Will Mora's run end up with the same type of dominance or will he continue UCLA's more familiar narrative of constant under-performance leading to dismissal?
I predict a whopping ten teams will be Shortlist eliminated this week, which would be just slightly more than needed to start ranking the survivors by merit instead of conference alinement next week, the predicted losses being:
LSU, Minnesota, Texas, TCU, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Duke, Stanford, Louisiana Tech and UTSA.
Enjoy the games this week and join me back here next week as the Shortlist to South Beach might end up completely reordered as the remaining contenders enter the grueling backstretch of the championship chase in 2012 for the ultimate prize in college football.
Copyright 2012 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com
Balancing out the pair of meek program uprisings just noted were two tarnished powers that lost last week to find themselves off the Shortlist in 2012:
1) Nebraska gets routed in Columbus as Ohio State grinds them to meal, 63-38. No truth to the rumor that new AD Sean Eichorst is looking into finding a way to play 12 games a year in Lincoln, not that he'd actually answer a question from the media between now and his retirement or dismissal about it if he was. So you couldn't win the evolved Big Eight and now can't win on the road in the Big 10 that can't count? I hear the Big East is looking for members Sean, maybe it's worth a look?
2) UCLA gets brought down from the stratosphere they've been traveling on as they fall in Berkley to a listless California team 43-17. While the road team coming out on the short end of the final score isn't anything new in this series recently, the defensive lock-down that befell the Bruins at the hands of the Bears is for this year. Coach Jim Mora is ironically still just a win away from beginning his Los Angeles coaching tenure 5-2, something cheating Pete Carroll managed to invert after his first seven games across town 11 years ago to get his respective fan-base counting down the days to his departure before paying enough to take over a conference full of one sided teams while pretending to look the other way obliviously. Will Mora's run end up with the same type of dominance or will he continue UCLA's more familiar narrative of constant under-performance leading to dismissal?
I predict a whopping ten teams will be Shortlist eliminated this week, which would be just slightly more than needed to start ranking the survivors by merit instead of conference alinement next week, the predicted losses being:
LSU, Minnesota, Texas, TCU, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Duke, Stanford, Louisiana Tech and UTSA.
Enjoy the games this week and join me back here next week as the Shortlist to South Beach might end up completely reordered as the remaining contenders enter the grueling backstretch of the championship chase in 2012 for the ultimate prize in college football.
Copyright 2012 by Christopher Whelpton for Canespace.com
What?
Posted by: Gin & Tonic | October 11, 2012 at 07:31 PM
Great article once again.
Can't Believe your picking against UTSA, never underestimate the power of a good clapper.
Posted by: Gin & Tonic | October 11, 2012 at 07:36 PM
3 spot...
Posted by: Account Deleted | October 11, 2012 at 07:47 PM
I'm watching Troy vs. W. Kentucky on Espnu instead of play-off baseball. I love college football season.
Posted by: Gin & Tonic | October 11, 2012 at 07:49 PM
OGV...YOUR BEST ARTICLE YET!
Posted by: 86Cane | October 11, 2012 at 07:50 PM
Dam. Got some green on the Hilltoppers and they already down 10.
Posted by: Gin & Tonic | October 11, 2012 at 07:51 PM
My call for saturday...about the same as ND.
Not enough D, UNC runs with power and mixes in the pass. Morris tries his best, but the UNC defense gets a few picks to break it open. As good as I think he is Morris is over due for a bad game. In the end ...
UNC 38-20....
Wish it wasn't so...
Posted by: Account Deleted | October 11, 2012 at 07:53 PM
UM 41, UNC 37
Posted by: 86Cane | October 11, 2012 at 07:55 PM
UM 30, UNC 35.
Posted by: Gin & Tonic | October 11, 2012 at 08:02 PM
Our offense is our best defense, but the LBs and CBs are jelling.
38-24 UM
Posted by: Zakkee | October 11, 2012 at 08:10 PM
All the plays I've seen from the nd game, they had more blockers than we had rushers. We sent 3 and they had 6 blocking or we sent 6 and they blocked wit 8.
Posted by: WWIN | October 11, 2012 at 08:12 PM
Im gonna bite and say the defense improves this week..hopefully with three talented linebackers they wont all feel like they have to play the entire field and trust each other. Offense will suprise and establish a running game since everyone thinks they are a primarily passing offense.
Miami 28
North carolina 17
Posted by: panamacitycane | October 11, 2012 at 08:13 PM
A shocker! We pitch a shutout!!
U-31 heels 0
Posted by: tjl3909 | October 11, 2012 at 08:31 PM
Miami 57, North Carolina 3.
A loss that is so damaging to the psyche of the North Carolina program that they dismantle their Connor Barth cloning chambers.
Posted by: TonyCane | October 11, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Seriously, I'm thinking 34-24.
Posted by: TonyCane | October 11, 2012 at 08:44 PM
UNC 34 - Canes 24
we'll be playing catch-up but wont catch-up this time.
Posted by: USAFCane | October 11, 2012 at 08:57 PM
A loss that is so damaging to the psyche of the North Carolina program that they dismantle their Connor Barth cloning chambers.
Posted by: TonyCane | October 11, 2012 at 08:34 PM
LMAO
Posted by: WWIN | October 11, 2012 at 09:22 PM
48 points 521yards UNC and 3plus 10min drives, 17 points Canes wont get the ball much. DNO will then visit his mentor Sandusky for advice . Golden will support the player that have no fault in this putrid scheme and everything will be OK!!!! MOVING FORWARD my friends....forward where I DONT KNOW!!!!!! jajajaja
Posted by: jerry | October 11, 2012 at 10:01 PM
A loss that is so damaging to the psyche of the North Carolina program that they dismantle their Connor Barth cloning chambers.
Posted by: TonyCane | October 11, 2012 at 08:34 PM
And so it is written on this day, 10/11/12 (notice the significance of those numbners) that this shall come to pass.
Posted by: 86Cane | October 11, 2012 at 10:05 PM
Tony...if UM beats UNC 57-3 I will divorce my wife and marry U. I am pretty certain that I am safe with that bet.
(God I sure hope so)
Posted by: 86Cane | October 11, 2012 at 10:07 PM
Tony...if UM beats UNC 57-3 I will divorce my wife and marry U. I am pretty certain that I am safe with that bet.
(God I sure hope so)
Posted by: 86Cane | October 11, 2012 at 10:07 PM
***************************************
You have no worries......
Posted by: raizecane | October 11, 2012 at 11:15 PM
I can't even get myself to believe we have a chance in this game. Once you have an opportunity of a lifetime, and you get embarassed like that, it carries over. No amount of belief in a process will change that. Morris will bounce back but not enuff to offset a 300 yard passing game by Renner and a 250 yard rushing performance by Bernard and NC. NC 39 (our average against FBS competition) and UM 24.
It pains me to make this pick because I don't want to but I have lost all belief that this defensive staff has ANY ability to change things for the better. Sorry, but I just don't. I may actually save myself and the family from watching the disaster. Car crashes are just not interesting to watch when you see them multiple times.
Posted by: SJMPARMAN | October 11, 2012 at 11:37 PM
SJM...this team will NOT quit.
They will fight til the end and win.
And when they do U will hide in shame.
Posted by: 86Cane | October 11, 2012 at 11:53 PM
Lol...86 cane...happily married to fellow um alumni DebbieCane!
I just want the hurricanes to win the Clone Wars on Saturday. No more barths!
Posted by: Tonycane | October 12, 2012 at 12:09 AM
Miami 45 , NC 24 .
Posted by: LaQuinton | October 12, 2012 at 12:10 AM
I won't hide in shame I will admit I was wrong like any real man would do. I didn't post that without thinking about it. But I'll modify something I posted elsewhere.
I can't defend this team anymore. I can't accept Al and D'No's defense of the team anymore. Well, if you have watched the team all year, I guess they didn't notice that the team is DEFENSELESS. That have an offense, and probably an above average one but not a great one but they are utterly DEFENSELESS.
You can't give up 200 yards plus rushing and 300 yards a game on defense, and expect to win any conference title. It just doesn't happen very often. ND realized in the 2nd half that they had a choice to attack, run the ball for 7 yards a run or pass the ball. They chose the safe option. 2 runs, 14 yards and a first down. If our defense has any strength it is in the secondary. So why test it. NC will do the same.
I don't live in So Fla anymore but if I did, I would NOT go to the game. The D Coordinator already said he doesn't care about me as a fan, he is only happy if his family likes him no matter how horrible a job he does, and frankly, he has NO plan to change things to make it better.
The head coach has said he is happy to rely on this hapless defensive coordinator. Why would I spend a dime when the plan is not to change anything but to continue to allow the defensive mediocrity to continue until something magically happens when the poor performers from this year somehow develop into beasts in the future. Yeah that could happen but we saw the same thing with Randy Shannons recruits. They never turned into beasts when they "grew up."
The NCAA might do us a favor but coming down hard because this is more painful than sanctions. This is a disgrace.
Posted by: SJMPARMAN | October 12, 2012 at 12:13 AM
SJM...the defense will show up in this game and TH3 will get a pick 6.
WRITE IT DOWN.
Posted by: 86Cane | October 12, 2012 at 12:23 AM
I hope you are right and I am wrong but I think you are not evaluating this team based on the stats and how they have played. I don't enjoy reposting things but this team is bordering on a record of mediocrity on defense. Again, I posted this elsewhere because you were particularly perturbed the night I posted it on the other sight, and I didn't want to bring you down any further than you were. This defense is close to a record for ineptitude.
Let's take a quick look at how this year's Miami defense stacks up against some of the worst in recent college football history. I found an article on the subject from a reporter of the University of Kansas defense in 2011. Here was his breakdown of some of the recent worst defenses:
WORST DEFENSES OF ALL TIME
Total defense: Maryland allowed 553.0 ypg in 1993 (6,083 yards in 11 games)
Scoring defense: Louisiana-Lafayette allowed 50.3 ppg in 1997 (553 points in 11 games)
WORST DEFENSES SINCE 2000
2010
Scoring defense: New Mexico 44.33 ppg
Total defense: East Carolina 478.77 ypg
2009
Scoring defense: Rice 43.08 ppg
Total defense: Washington State 512.0 ypg
2008
Scoring defense: North Texas 47.58 ppg
Total defense: North Texas 482.58 ypg
2007
Scoring defense: North Texas 45.1 ppg
Total defense: Minnesota 518.67 ypg
2006
Scoring defense: Louisiana Tech 41.7 ppg
Total defense: Louisiana Tech 483.23 ypg
2005
Scoring defense: Temple 45.3 ppg
Total defense: Northwestern 480.42 ypg
2004
Scoring defense: San Jose State 42.6 ppg
Total defense: Army 490.09 ypg
2003
Scoring defense: Mississippi State 39.3 ppg
Total defense: Louisiana Tech 510.50 ypg
2002
Scoring defense: Eastern Michigan 47.2 ppg
Total defense: Eastern Michigan 519.92 ypg
2001
Scoring defense: Idaho 45.0 ppg
Total defense: San Jose State 500.83 ypg
2000
Scoring defense: Buffalo 41.1 ppg
Total defense: San Jose State 470.58 ypg
Source: http://m.cjonline.com/sports/2011-10-13/ku-defense-could-be-historically-bad
Miami's 2012 stats
Scoring Defense: 34.67 ppg
Total Defense 510.00 ypg
We are currently on pace to be worse than 7 of the 10 teams in total defense from 2000 to 2010 in total defense. The scoring defense number is helped only by the fact that we did hold Bethune Cookman to a low number of points. Exclude that game, and we are giving up 39.60 ppg versus FBS competition.
I am going to quote something Paul Johnson said when he fired Al Groh, because I think it is very prophetic.
Johnson on the difficulty of the decision: “It’s really disappointing and frustrating. You never want to do these things. You never want to have to, but to me, that’s part of being a leader. Sometimes you have to do hard things..."
A leader recognizes when mediciocrity and the race to ineptitude must end and takes bold action to try to change things for the better. He doesn't stand complacent in the face of disaster and act like it is all okay. I don't like Paul Johnson as a football coach but I do admire his leadership in saying enough is enough at GT. I don't admire AG's defense of his coordinator when the stats clearly show he is an epic failure.
Posted by: SJMPARMAN | October 12, 2012 at 12:28 AM
SJM,
Those are some well thought out posts. Well done. 86, you are ever the optomist and I hope you are right. IF the Canes win, IF... I think they will need almost 50 points. We need lots of turn overs and good field position.
Posted by: The Dude | October 12, 2012 at 12:46 AM
I know we disagree. You have hope that the kids will somehow play above the norm of averages and win this game. If you are right, I will serve you crow and be happy. But I just don't see any reason to hope that things will get better and have every reason to think things will get worse. And much worse once we play FSU.
I wish I still believed in the "process" as a solution. I just don't anymore. There has to be something more in terms of coaching. If I bought into the process, we would be competitive in all games we play. We haven't been in 2 of our 5 games so far this year. I don't think process wins games against NC or FSU.
I do think coaching matters and right now, we do not have any advantage against ANY team we play from here on out on our schedule, at least on the defensive side of the ball. I am sad about it but I have lost ALL hope that will change until a change is made at the DC position.
Posted by: SJMPARMAN | October 12, 2012 at 12:49 AM
This weekend is already gonna suck for me. I have a sinus infection. Would really love a Canes win to perk me up. See, when the Canes lose, I actually get physically ill. LOL.
Posted by: The Dude | October 12, 2012 at 12:49 AM
Miami 41 UNC 38. Let's go Canes.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | October 12, 2012 at 12:51 AM
OGV,
This week I have have "It's my responsibility to get it fixed" and "Clearly we're not there yet" on my bingo card. Let's see if this is my week, LOL!
Posted by: The Dude | October 12, 2012 at 12:52 AM
By the way, did anyone get a bingo on "Holy sh*t?"
Posted by: The Dude | October 12, 2012 at 12:56 AM
The good news is the "we suck" opinions are out in force this week. So far that has translated into wins for us.
Posted by: The Dude | October 12, 2012 at 12:58 AM
Miami Hurricanes mid-way through the season, Record, Points For, Points Allowed:
Year Record PF PA
1994: 5-1, 219-77
1995: 3-3, 154-125
1996: 4-2, 182-78
1997: 2-4, 136-177
1998: 4-2, 225-130
1999: 3-3, 178-128
2000: 5-1, 273-105
2001: 6-0, 269-65
2002: 6-0, 262-101
2003: 6-0, 201-93
2004: 6-0, 215-99
2005: 5-1, 179-63
2006: 4-2, 144-74
2007: 4-2, 152-127
2008: 3-3, 179-139
2009: 5-1, 174-125
2010: 4-2, 176-117
2011: 3-3, 182-143
2012: 4-2, 181-208
Posted by: TonyCane | October 12, 2012 at 01:53 AM
RIght now, the Canes need to score a lot of points to win games against quality opponents. Canes need to take care of business at home and they will be in the drivers' seat for the Coastal Division championship at 4-0.
Offensively, this team can score a lot of points when they get it going. Defensively, our players get pushed around like shopping carts in a crowded grocery store, and the scheme is not working.
This is the perfect game for the Canes defense to step up and create some momentum for the second half of the season.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | October 12, 2012 at 05:52 AM
Zakee is alive & well, and posting all the time. If your gonna troll, at least do your research, Another One Bites Some Nuts lol
Posted by: 4-Real | October 12, 2012 at 07:52 AM
Looks to me like RS's team was much better on defense. Of course you have to take the opponents into consideration but still...208 points, wow.
This just in.....the 2001 team was BEAST!!!
Posted by: raizecane | October 12, 2012 at 08:12 AM
Theres no way to get a next button put at the top of the comments? Im always using my phone to read the blog and especially on game day when there is 5 pages its a pain in the butt to scroll all the way down to skip comments I have already read. If not its cool.
Posted by: panamacitycane | October 12, 2012 at 08:17 AM
panama - what you do is hit next to go to page 2, then in the URL you can change the 2 to another number indicating the page (ex. 5). You can do that or enter a * in comments field, submit and that should take you to last page.....
Posted by: raizecane | October 12, 2012 at 09:34 AM
"A shocker! We pitch a shutout!!
U-31 heels 0"
Whatever you're on, please tell us.
I think it's reasonable to assume that if we score 40, we probably win. Under 17, we probably don't.
Somewhere in that range lies the truth.
Let's just hope D'Onofrio's farewell tour as DC has a nice win for us on Saturday. I think it will.
UM 34, NC 31.
Posted by: LB | October 12, 2012 at 09:40 AM
Looks like the trolls are bored... Again.
Feels like playing the old Asteroid video game! Lol
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 12, 2012 at 09:41 AM
It must suck to post on a site U hate with people U hate all day long.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 12, 2012 at 09:46 AM
This one time, a troll verbally attacked the state I live in, and I cried. True story.
Seriously tho, I love Lebron and the Heat, so I get the best of both worlds.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 12, 2012 at 09:54 AM
By the way, did anyone get a bingo on "Holy sh*t?"
Posted by: The Dude | October 12, 2012 at 12:56 AM
YUP, that was Old Skool.
This week I've got: "Trust the process" and "Certainly" and "The conditioning program paid off in the fourth quarter" .
Posted by: 86Cane | October 12, 2012 at 10:20 AM
This week I've got: "Trust the process" and "Certainly" and "The conditioning program paid off in the fourth quarter" .
Posted by: 86Cane | October 12, 2012 at 10:20 AM
-----------------------------------------
All my slots are filled up with "Again" and "*Brushes hair back*". I win a LOT.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 12, 2012 at 10:24 AM
Oklahoma State had the 107th ranked defense in the country last year...went 12-1 and should have played for the NC. If they get the drops taken care of (offense and defense), they can win the ACC. Anybody predict ACC championship chance for this team two months ago?
I,for one, would be very happy to be playing in the ACC championship game this year.
Posted by: Texascane | October 12, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 12, 2012 at 10:24 AM
Ha ha. Ah, funny.
Posted by: The Dude | October 12, 2012 at 11:07 AM
Thanks 4-Real. I saw that but decided it isn't worth a thought let alone a response from my medulla lol. Leave that alone its politics and bullshyt--an unworthy distraction.
I post where I want, unless I'm told I'm not welcome to--which has never occurred. I don't fight or pick sides on bull ish pretenses or premise. I don't even know anything about the "beef"< lamb behind the scenes (in depth). But people need to know that they can't control other people and especially not me.
I like to blog about the Miami Hurricanes with other Miami Hurricanes fans. Wherever and whenever I get the opportunity to do so..I will. Its really that simple.
This beef is jerky or even tofu. Dudes probably see each other all the time and don't do a damn thing but say, "Aye we got some Canes ova here!" And thats good, because thats all its really about and the only reason we know each other or ever come together.
Posted by: Zakkee | October 12, 2012 at 11:10 AM