Big. Bigger. Biggest.
The game against FSU was big.
The game against Virginia Tech was even bigger.
Today's game against the Virginia Cavaliers is by far the biggest.
This game, along with Miami's game against Duke in Durham in two weeks, will determine Miami's fate in the ACC Coastal Division and their post-season opportunities (eligibility notwithstanding).
But there are many, many questions to be answered in today's game that go well beyond the scope of a single college football contest in November.
Can this Hurricane team, minus their best three defensive players, beat the Cavaliers in Charlottesville?
Can head coach Al Golden continue to silence his critics with another huge win like the one over VT last week?
Can coordinators Jedd Fisch and Mark D'Onofrio put the players in the right positions to make plays and produce positive results on the road in a hostile environment?
Can QB Stephen Morris play a consistent game and lead the Canes to 30 or more points and an almost guaranteed win by scoring big?
Those questions and probably a few more will be answered today against UVA. Let's all hope the answers are positive and that Miami can pull off another big ACC victory this season.
A win over the Cavaliers would be the biggest one yet.
Well, I knew this game could be a problem. I am with OGV 38-40 points is enough to win a game. Does the defense have problems - yes. Were they made worse by the three players they were missing - I think yes.
Posted by: CGNC | November 10, 2012 at 06:43 PM
I could be wrong, but I believe our mike had a hard time getting depth.. but that is just watching tv coverage..
Posted by: trianglecane | November 10, 2012 at 06:46 PM
TAMU is exposing the hell out of Bama's LBs and secondary. Not really a surprise, but WOW!
Posted by: CaneRock | November 10, 2012 at 06:47 PM
No CGNC, if Jedd Fisch literally doesn't have his side of the ball score EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY TOUCH IT, they haven't done enough to win, especially when UM has less than every starter in the lineup on the other side and they are coached by a guy who beat nothing but sub .500 MAC conference teams at Temple and his mutant roommate from college buddy!
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | November 10, 2012 at 06:53 PM
29 TAMU 17 Bama... looks like LSU took the best of bama last week
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | November 10, 2012 at 06:53 PM
I could be wrong, but I believe our mike had a hard time getting depth.. but that is just watching tv coverage..
Posted by: trianglecane | November 10, 2012 at 06:46 PM
> Gionni Paul ended up leading UM with a career-high 14 tackles. With Perryman and Johnson out, Paul and Jimmy Gaines (12 tackles) saw extensive playing time. Paul was beaten by Jake McGee for the game-winning touchdown pass.
"Obviously we left some guys home that could have helped us here today," Golden said. "We got to get off the field more on third down or the play count gets too high. The play count got really high on us. We didn't have the depth we need right now at the linebacker position and it showed late."
PS: Besides Paul blowing the coverage, Miami only rushed two D-Linemen on the winning TD. Why the hell they dropped Porter into coverage is beyond me.
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2012/11/golden-after-heartbreaking-virginia-loss-its-really-important-we-dont-splinter.html#storylink=cpy
Posted by: CaneRock | November 10, 2012 at 06:54 PM
I can't wait until we are good again-don't really care about the ncaa.. i just want to beat the people we are supposed to beat.. can't wait...
Posted by: trianglecane | November 10, 2012 at 06:54 PM
thanks.. porter in coverage.. outstanding..
Posted by: trianglecane | November 10, 2012 at 06:59 PM
d was bad.. i guess the last couple of weeks had me fooled about a corner being turned. I thought the pressure up the middle was our best option to get off on third downs... oh well.
Posted by: trianglecane | November 10, 2012 at 07:00 PM
If our goal is to get bowl eligible so we can take a ban, TAKE IT NOW! It just has to be mathematically possible for you to reach a bowl in order for a self imposed ban to count. There's a very good chance we lose the next two.
Posted by: j.w. | November 10, 2012 at 07:07 PM
Why did TAMU rush the DT's on fourth down in the redzone? Don't they realize that D'No wouldn't have that if he were calling plays there? How many rhetorical questions in a row can I ask in one post?
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | November 10, 2012 at 07:09 PM
j.w., I'd tell you they won't because of the, "We can't fracture because of this," line in the presser today. Team's tuning this staff out with a quickness I'm guessing, removing the last carrot left is just going to make them tank and then your ban doesn't even count towards any penalties handed down.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | November 10, 2012 at 07:10 PM
Lee Corso called this upset of the defending champs today, say what you want about him after his stroke but he's still got it.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | November 10, 2012 at 07:15 PM
...
Posted by: canesteeler | November 10, 2012 at 07:16 PM
alabama sucks, lsu beat texas a&m
Posted by: WWIN | November 10, 2012 at 07:19 PM
So how does a 1st year coach (Sumlin) take over a SEC team and beat the defending champs and ranked #1 at their place and win?? Was Johnny football his recruit?????
Posted by: raizecane | November 10, 2012 at 07:22 PM
Golden Sucks.
Posted by: Al | November 10, 2012 at 07:25 PM
Wasn't the Texas a & m coach a candidate for the Miami job?
Posted by: Sinistercane | November 10, 2012 at 07:31 PM
Redshirt freshman raize, so no.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | November 10, 2012 at 07:34 PM
I can no longer ride with this staff or administration. Putting a powerhouse on the field at UM is no longer a priority. I grew up watching them rise & it kills me to see them fall and can't get up. Until the school gets their head out of their azz, spend $, puts a prez, AD & staff in place thats a proven winner... MUTHA FUKKEM!!! I'VE SEEN DA GOODS HERE BEFORE & WE AINT GOT IT NO MORE. RIP DA "U"
Posted by: CoCane | November 10, 2012 at 07:37 PM
I can no longer ride with this staff or administration. Putting a powerhouse on the field at UM is no longer a priority. I grew up watching them rise & it kills me to see them fall and can't get up. Until the school gets their head out of their azz, spend $, puts a prez, AD & staff in place thats a proven winner... MUTHA FUKKEM!!! I'VE SEEN DA GOODS HERE BEFORE & WE AINT GOT IT NO MORE. RIP DA "U"
Posted by: CoCane | November 10, 2012 at 07:37 PM
I can no longer ride with this staff or administration. Putting a powerhouse on the field at UM is no longer a priority. I grew up watching them rise & it kills me to see them fall and can't get up. Until the school gets their head out of their azz, spend $, puts a prez, AD & staff in place thats a proven winner... MUTHA FUKKEM!!! I'VE SEEN DA GOODS HERE BEFORE & WE AINT GOT IT NO MORE. RIP DA "U"
Posted by: CoCane | November 10, 2012 at 07:40 PM
I can no longer ride with this staff or administration. Putting a powerhouse on the field at UM is no longer a priority. I grew up watching them rise & it kills me to see them fall and can't get up. Until the school gets their head out of their azz, spend $, puts a prez, AD & staff in place thats a proven winner... MUTHA FUKKEM!!! I'VE SEEN DA GOODS HERE BEFORE & WE AINT GOT IT NO MORE. RIP DA "U"
Posted by: CoCane | November 10, 2012 at 07:41 PM
I can no longer ride with this staff or administration. Putting a powerhouse on the field at UM is no longer a priority. I grew up watching them rise & it kills me to see them fall and can't get up. Until the school gets their head out of their azz, spend $, puts a prez, AD & staff in place thats a proven winner... MUTHA FUKKEM!!! I'VE SEEN DA GOODS HERE BEFORE & WE AINT GOT IT NO MORE. RIP DA "U"
Posted by: CoCane | November 10, 2012 at 07:41 PM
Wasn't the Texas a & m coach a candidate for the Miami job?
Posted by: Sinistercane | November 10, 2012 at 07:31 PM
I thought He should've been. To take it further, I think Sumlin will be a good candidate for an NFL gig, the guy has a brilliant offensive mind.
Posted by: CaneRock | November 10, 2012 at 07:41 PM
CoCane....tell us how you really feel? lol
Posted by: raizecane | November 10, 2012 at 07:43 PM
I can no longer ride with this staff or administration. Putting a powerhouse on the field at UM is no longer a priority. I grew up watching them rise & it kills me to see them fall and can't get up. Until the school gets their head out of their azz, spend $, puts a prez, AD & staff in place thats a proven winner... MUTHA FUKKEM!!! I'VE SEEN DA GOODS HERE BEFORE & WE AINT GOT IT NO MORE. RIP DA "U"
Posted by: CoCane | November 10, 2012 at 07:43 PM
Ok - i went to the game and listened on the radio. Yhe announcers were saying "go doen the middle". UVA did just that and won the game.
In a strange snse, the 2 point playhurt us. If ithad of been 3, UVA would probablyhavegone for a field goal to tie
Posted by: Ken roberts | November 10, 2012 at 08:06 PM
429
Posted by: CGNC | November 10, 2012 at 08:32 PM
Im still speechless!!! It is frustrating to see this defense and offense... We need players and we are about 1 or 2 recruitig classes away from really rdoon much hopefully duke stays around for that because that kid is special!!!
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | November 10, 2012 at 08:38 PM
"Freshman Rayshawn Jenkins didn't start for the Hurricanes at safety, but finished third on the team with eight tackles. Jenkins and Bush are the future for UM at safety and D'Onofrio might consider playing both together in Miami's final two regular season games -- assuming Bush will be back."
I agree with Manny on this one
With Jenkins's range, DB and JR will be a helluva tandem in the future.
Posted by: CaneRock | November 10, 2012 at 08:40 PM
Im still speechless!!! It is frustrating to see this defense and offense... We need players and we are about 1 or 2 recruitig classes away . . .
Posted by: UpNorthCane | November 10, 2012 at 08:38 PM
Don't get your hopes up. Coming off yet another crappy season, recruiting for the U will be very difficult. And the NCAA sanctions are going to hurt too. Nevertheless, false hope is better than no hope at all . . . I guess.
Posted by: nemo2002 | November 10, 2012 at 09:02 PM
I bet there are lots of players on offense who are PISSED OFF that we were beat again . . . not by the other team's OFFENSE but by our own tesm's DEFENSE (or lack thereof).
Posted by: nemo2002 | November 10, 2012 at 09:08 PM
I guess our brand equity took a big hit today.
D'Nofrio did not bring pressure on the last play, and much of the last two drives, and as a result, it cost Miami the game.
We haven't been able to stop the VA TEs for what, going on 6 years now? No surprise on the last play of the game.
Highsmith was embarrasingly (is that a word?) bad this afternoon.
Does anyone honestly think Duke is going be an automatic "W"?
This one hurt.
Posted by: AlpharettaCane | November 10, 2012 at 09:09 PM
Gabe Terry was left home today....
Posted by: hassan | November 10, 2012 at 09:39 PM
I bet there are lots of players on offense who are PISSED OFF that we were beat again . . . not by the other team's OFFENSE but by our own tesm's DEFENSE (or lack thereof).
Posted by: nemo2002 | November 10, 2012 at 09:08 PM
They better be PISSED at they self for back to back 3 and outs in crunch time. One first down probably wins the game
Posted by: WWIN | November 10, 2012 at 09:41 PM
BEST 3 defensive players were out and people still expected the D to win the game for us???? WTH
Posted by: WWIN | November 10, 2012 at 09:43 PM
Hassan,
I heard the announcers calling Terry's name during the game
Posted by: WWIN | November 10, 2012 at 09:47 PM
Bok Tower in Lake Wales is so peaceful and beautiful. The highest point in peninsular Florida at 324 feet.
They had a nightime concert tonight on the green starring the Orlando Symphony Ochestra. It was great weather, clear, cool and breezy around 68 degrees.
Just a fantastic classical concert.
Posted by: 86Cane | November 10, 2012 at 10:05 PM
Just a fantastic classical concert.
Posted by: 86Cane | November 10, 2012 at 10:05 PM
*********************
86 in denial....haha
Posted by: raizecane | November 10, 2012 at 10:10 PM
the offense should never of had to stall the game at the end, so yes this loss is on the defense, the offense did it's job. And sorry even though we were missing three starters on D if we should still be able to hold one of the worst teams in the country below 41 FU&%*NG POINTS!!!!! stop using the missing players as an excuse, we lost because our coaching sucks on defense plain and simple. how can anyone sit there and try to blame an offense who score 31 points!!! plus special teams obviously did great.
Posted by: Panamacitycane | November 10, 2012 at 10:20 PM
Lets face it....if it wasn't for DJ....UV would have blown us out.
Posted by: raizecane | November 10, 2012 at 10:22 PM
Hassan- saw someone with Terry's number getting beat for a pass, or missing a tackle, or both. Is there a walk-on who shares his number?
It's been hours and I still can't get past this one. The honeymoon is over in Coral Gables.
Posted by: j.w. | November 10, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Panamacity,
Answer this question please. What is the Ravens D without Lewis, Reed, and Suggs??????
Posted by: WWIN | November 10, 2012 at 10:50 PM
The D gave you 2pts and the ball back and what did they do with it????????
Posted by: WWIN | November 10, 2012 at 10:52 PM
Who is this #8 that plays for Miami?
He looks good.
Posted by: 86Cane | November 10, 2012 at 10:55 PM
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/um-hurricanes/fl-um-virginia-sidebar--1111-20121110,0,5911787.story
Confirmed Terry left home.....
Posted by: Hassan | November 10, 2012 at 11:16 PM
Think about this the mid field was open all game long. You think deon bush is not worth 1 point today? We was short on LB all day.
Perryman - out, ankle bothered him all season
EJ- suspended
Cain- left team, was scout team only this week
Gabe Terry- left off travel roster..
that is a lot of defenders not playing.
i will say this Golden knew leaving those guys home would impact the Defense but he stuck to his guns. Bobby Bowden would have sat them a series and won the game. Who is smarter?
Posted by: Hassan | November 10, 2012 at 11:19 PM
Ray Ray
Posted by: 86Cane | November 10, 2012 at 11:20 PM
Who is this #8 that plays for Miami?
He looks good.
Posted by: 86Cane | November 10, 2012 at 10:55 PM
I saw a kid like this in High School last year. I was thinking he is pretty good.
Posted by: Hassan | November 10, 2012 at 11:25 PM