Composure. Confidence. Commitment. Clarity of purpose.
Add in a big scoop of resiliency, then throw in some true grit and determination. When combined together, what does that recipe make?
A Miami Hurricane victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels of course!
On Thursday night your Miami Hurricanes refused to quit.
They simply refused to lose.
They said out loud and in a clear and forceful tone of voice to everyone at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill North Carolina that "Failure is NOT an option."
In spite of what UM QB Stephen Morris called "the worst game of my career" the Hurricanes dug deep, stepped up late and found the will to win. Even four interceptions, several significant injuries, a defiant UNC team and a rambunctious Tar Heel crowd could not derail this team of destiny.
That's right, I said it.
This team that Miami head coach Al Golden has assembled and coached has something special. They have a can't lose attitude that leads them to the simple conclusion that they will not be denied.
And against the Tar Heels, they finally proved it.
In recent years, the Hurricanes would have quit, or folded and probably lost.
This year, this team, in this game, showed some true grit.
We like that. Yeah, we like that a lot.
IlOh bcs, thought we were doing AP. I will say 8.
Posted by: The Dude | October 20, 2013 at 12:46 AM
Canerock be careful man or you could become 4 best around here. Lol
Posted by: The Dude | October 20, 2013 at 12:49 AM
Who will be the first Canespacer to predict exactly where the Canes will be ranked tomorrow in the 1st BCS poll. Make your prediction before noon on sunday...
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | October 20, 2013 at 12:31 AM
Not gonna do it (in my voice of dana carvey imitating George Bush). Waitin till the end of the year and we'll count em up then.
Stay focused. Trust the process. Beat Wake.
Posted by: usagainsttheworld | October 20, 2013 at 12:52 AM
Posted by: CoCane | October 19, 2013 at 11:44 PM
That's what I been saying.... He wants the players to have a killa instinct but he doesn't have it! This is college football not pop warner, if you don't want people scoring on you its simple, MAN UP and stop em
Posted by: WWIN | October 20, 2013 at 12:58 AM
I don't get how anyone can think this defense should be any better than they currently are. One more win and we've tied our total output from last season. Not sure what kind of growth we should expect but it seems to be all around us if we look REALISTICALLY.
1 - 2 years is still a realistic schedule for this defense to claim they are "back".
Go 'canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | October 20, 2013 at 01:08 AM
Number 5 come tomorrow. Go Canes!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | October 20, 2013 at 01:16 AM
From CBS Sports...
Each Saturday night, the Eye on College Football takes its best guess at what we'll see on Sunday morning from the AP Top 25. Here's where the poll stood entering this week, and here's our Week 8 projection, which will be updated as results are finalized late Saturday (last week's ranking in parentheses):
1. Alabama (1): The Tide's little midseason swoon appears to be over, as they annihilated Arkansas. Of course, annihilating Arkansas last week didn't mean a lot for South Carolina this week.
2. Oregon * (2): Speaking of annihilation, Oregon plays Washington State late tonight.
3. Florida State (5): Seminoles blew Clemson clean out of Death Valley. With Ohio State looking merely OK against Iowa, the No. 3 spot in the poll seems highly likely to be theirs. And with Florida looking so feeble, Miami seeme the only thing standing between Jameis Winston and heading to the ACC Championship Game at 12-0.
4. Ohio State (4): The voters established early this season that the Buckeyes aren't going to get the benefit of the doubt, and it's particularly hard to see it being extended after being tied at 24 in the second half with the Hawkeyes.
5. Miami (10): The Hurricanes hardly looked the part of the No. 5 team in the country against North Carolina Thursday night, but after the carnage in the bottom half of the top 10, they're likely to hold a perch this lofty all the same.
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | October 20, 2013 at 01:25 AM
Not sure what kind of growth we should expect but it seems to be all around us if we look REALISTICALLY.
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | October 20, 2013 at 01:08 AM
EXACTLY!
Posted by: CaneRock | October 20, 2013 at 01:34 AM
After watching fsu tonight physically they just looked bigger and stronger than Clemson kind of how we used to look but this year from a pure talent/size/speed stand point I feel we match up with fsu but my fear is coaching I'm not confident we match them there. The fsu 3-4 is the exact scheme we should play because with our athletes let them man up and play tight press man coverage most of the time not this bs soft zone that frankly has to much thinking involved worrying about your zone that y have blown coverages and guys running into each other. Maybe because he's from temple where he didnt have the athletes to play pressman but now he has athletes comparable to any squad in the country and the best way to use that is by playing tight press man I really really wish I could ask dno why we play so much soft zone
Posted by: jsy | October 20, 2013 at 01:56 AM
CaneRock we may not be back in 1-2 years either! I'll tell you this though it won't be for lack of trying or recruiting.
If we beat UF and go to the ACC CG is that not about what you wanted for a measuring stick for this season? I know it's what I wanted. Throw in a win over FSU and VT and it's a dream season even if they don't win the CG.
Go 'canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | October 20, 2013 at 02:01 AM
In the Atl catching a connection after a Red Eye from the west coast--ran into two different Canes fans both dressed in full Canes regalia. We aren't just a nation, we are more than that, we are a family.
Posted by: usagainsttheworld | October 20, 2013 at 07:00 AM
Vandy beats Georgia...Sony...nasal laugh.
Mizzou beats UF...Ermon Lane,Dalvin Cook...double nasal laugh.
Alabama WHOOPIN'! Arky...Alex Collins,Denver Kirkland...HAHAAAAA! <<<<<< That's my Rog from What's Happenin' laugh LMAO!
MUTHAPHUCK! THE SEC!
110% behind you big guy....hey Alex do you need your mommy to pick you up? She told your dum AZZ to stay at UM!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | October 20, 2013 at 07:22 AM
FSU used its athletes to make plays, QB is athlete, TE athlete...D full of them. You don't got to throw deep to win....fun on occasion, but make people make plays on your athletes. QB is quite good. They do get a lot of penalties....line on O is sloppy at times....like us. They are a cocky bunch, but quite focused on what they need to do. They are a challenge to anybody they play. Impressed with them as a team.
However they are not our problem this week....we must deal with WF. Don't care about FSU until their time....get some damn tunnel vision people FOCUS on WF.
Regarding that Killa Thread that CR speaks of....that is very important I don't find running the score up as real punishment.....I find that devastating hits to stars after you are winning makes the trolls crawl back from whence they came. Last night, the opposing coach told me at the pre game coin toss he had both barrels loaded and was coming. I shook his hand. I told my boys that was the word, we got to play tough.....and I build the funeral pyre for my opponent by driving my guys with praise and challenges to raise the bar...like JJ Us vs World... Now the field was muddy and slick, so I ran a new wrinkle at them: little wider split for my line, 2 TEs so I got 7 up front....and the T backfield with 2 halfbacks and a fullback....all capable of running....and love to lead on LBS. I ran right at them. My line sounded like a pack of stud wild horses, and my backfield ate them alive. We rushed for about 264 yards; I threw a couple passes to TEs....at 28-0 I put my younger kids in on O....they ran ok but only 1 TD. Left my starting D on the field...Apocalypse Now football. Horror and Moral terror were inflicted. They fear in the eyes of those players and parents was evident. QB was knocked out, a linemen or 2 and 2 WRs....out. My boys smoked their AZZ like country ham in the smokehouse. That's the killer instinct I develop....no mercy.....don't score points score with monster hits....I call them Tatumizers.....make your opponent nuclear waste. They kept passing out of the spread and just asked....begged to get nailed....and we quite willingly will oblige....we make you pay with clean, crisp, hard, shoulder piledrivers!!!!!! Old boy said to me after the game that you really were ready to play us coach, your guys were prepared......your kids come to hit. I wanted to ask him about that gun...just shook his hand. Its over at that moment, enjoy the win, and focus on next opponent. Worked for 35 years.....that's how my pop and Coach Johnson taught me so long ago.
Get ready by getting the problems worked out, thinking going over the errors, get a new attitude, a re-focus on the task at hand....tunnel vision for WF this week. JMO
Posted by: VA Cane | October 20, 2013 at 07:58 AM
Hate to say this but FSU's offense looks similar to Chud's offense that we ran during 00-03. I think we can win with Ryan at QB until Morris can heal properly.
Posted by: Sinistercane | October 20, 2013 at 08:07 AM
The phrase of the week....Tunnel Vision!
Posted by: Clwtrdan | October 20, 2013 at 08:12 AM
I doubt we'll be Top 5 tomorrow--Baylor and Mizzou will leapfrog us.. But it sure smells like 1999, which means 2000-2002 is right around the corner! GO CANES!!!
Posted by: CanesGuest | October 20, 2013 at 08:15 AM
However they are not our problem this week....we must deal with WF. Don't care about FSU until their time....get some damn tunnel vision people FOCUS on WF.
Posted by: VA Cane | October 20, 2013 at 07:58 AM
Posted by: CaneRock | October 20, 2013 at 09:17 AM
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
My bad...YUP!
Posted by: CaneRock | October 20, 2013 at 09:17 AM
And to those who are saying that press man is a panacea, tell me, what were we playing in the UM-OSU NC game...that's right, you guessed it, press man! Cover 2, man under on the 4th down conversion, and Cover 0 on that infamous PI call. Press man DAT! LMAO!
Posted by: CaneRock | October 20, 2013 at 09:22 AM
Clemson laid an egg yesterday, came out nervous and did not make plays, making it too easy on FSU. FSU is good and probably would have won anyway.
Canes need to focus on Wake Forest, they are not bad but not good either, losing to Louisiana Monroe
Posted by: CGNC | October 20, 2013 at 09:25 AM
I'm not that worries about our D... I just hope Coley doesn't try to out Jimbo, Jimbo by getting cute with play calling.
Our online should be able to play with them. Pound the rock. Get duke out in space, get the TEs involved in play-action and take a shot or two.
Posted by: SmatCane | October 20, 2013 at 09:30 AM
I have us at 6. I can understand Baylor leap frogging us but Mizzou just beat a banged up FL team that we beat healthy at the beginning of the year. That would be messed up.
Either way Mizzu will lose 1-2 so if win out I don't care about them.
Baylor still has some tough games too but that offense looks scary in a weak big 12.
Posted by: SmatCane | October 20, 2013 at 09:33 AM
I honestly think the top 10 should look like this:
#1 Oregon. No opponent has even been competitive.
#2 Alabama. It's been a while since they've played a quality team.
#3 FSU. Give the devils their due.
#4 Missouri. They've beaten two ranked $EC teams in a row, including Georgia on the road.
#5 Miami. The turnovers prevent them from being great, but unlike a lot of teams in the top 10... they still win.
#6 Stanford. They play Oregon at home.
#7 Baylor. Their opponents are really bad, but they win and win big. They won't stay undefeated.
#8 Ohio State. The only reason they're this high is because they're on a long winning streak. The rest of their opponents stink and the win vs. Northwestern doesn't look as good.
#9 Clemson. ...
#10 Texas Tech. Reward success. It's embarrassing to have two Big 12 teams in the top 10, but what can you do?
Posted by: LB | October 20, 2013 at 09:39 AM
Wow, if I asked if I'd take a Canes 6-0 #5-6 in the nation , potentially heading to Tallahasse 7-0 for the biggest UM/FSU game in over a decade at the start of the seasnon, I'd have taken it in a second. Reading commenst since the UNC game, you'd think we're 3-3.
According to many, Morris went from next NFL stud to can't play. He hasn't played great, was woeful (hurt his draft stock) at UNC but remains our best shot at QB. He still has half a season to play like we've seen. Morris will be on an NFL team next year, yet some are saying Williams should get playing time over Morris.
UNC have given us as much trouble as anyone the last decade, especially at their stadium, Canes came back from 10 points down in the 4th quarter to win. 4 teams ranked ahead of us lost games they were all favored in. The UNC win looks better every day.
I think the Canes can get better this season. Worry about WF and then focus on the huge match ups after that.
Posted by: USAFCane | October 20, 2013 at 09:42 AM
Baylor have not played anyone, I mean anyone. They have a sytem that thrives against less talented teams. They will not put 70 up against UT,OU, or TT. TT look pretty good, UT and OU are very questionable and I still don't think it is a lock Baylor wns those games. Not sure they play, OU but they do play UT.
MIZZU, are SEC now, that side of the conference is weak but they'll get their SEC bump so the SEC championship game means the winner plays for the NT. SEC is not great this year, period. They'll argue they beat each other up but they've been beaten out of conference this year. I'd argue ACC top 4 could win those divsions this year. Alabama is legit but would they have beat FSU last night?
Posted by: USAFCane | October 20, 2013 at 09:51 AM
Canes will be 7 or 8 today is my guess
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 20, 2013 at 09:54 AM
I make it no secret....I am a big CaneRock fan....I want him to move to VA to help me coach....the man has a plan.
I cannot agree with you more CR....we are a Ace or 2 away from a full deck....but we are coming hard. We have to get aggressive, we have to want to bury people....not always by scoring....but by wanting to put an exclamation point at the end of the sentence. Killas....like ST, Ray Ray....ROHAN......you light their AZZES up by God!!!!!!!!! I do think AG has a softer view.....hopefully getting near the top of the heap of CFB will get him more aggressive. I neer want to be nice on the field. I want your guys to be down on the turf......to limp off, stagger, bleed.....not from dirty late crap.....from clean hard relentless hits that sends the message: We came to win, we never let up!!!!!!JMO
Posted by: VA Cane | October 20, 2013 at 09:58 AM
We have to figure out Morris asap
Posted by: SmatCane | October 20, 2013 at 10:00 AM
We should be #7.
Posted by: SOUP | October 20, 2013 at 10:01 AM
Clemson bled into the water while surrounded by great white sharks.....that turnover and second quick TD doomed them. They have no feature back.....Watkins was neutralized, their D never got to the QB.....and FSU came to play. I liked the way they took the air out of the crowd.....Death Valley looked like Peace in the Valley. Clemson is a good team....I think we could beat them.....they played a really good team in FSU. We do have an advantage over Clemson in that it don't take much for kids on either team to get up for an FSU UM classic.....they know each other they know the deal. I do respect FSU they are a great rival for us....and I love seeing UF down so bad....yet the press still keeps making excuses for them. Muschamp is in trouble....he was the savior....looks kinds ragged right now. JMO
Posted by: VA Cane | October 20, 2013 at 10:06 AM
USAF - LOL Momo was a hot mess and not at all looking like a senior QB should look. All 4 turnovers were his a la Jacory Harris. The comments match the play that was seen. I would like to see williams with some playing time. Nothing more, nothing less.
Posted by: CGNC | October 20, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Man I hope the Dolphin's handle the Bills today!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | October 20, 2013 at 10:20 AM
Canes will be ranked 5 or 6
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | October 20, 2013 at 10:20 AM
Who should be ranked ahead SOUP?
Posted by: The Dude | October 20, 2013 at 10:26 AM
Couple astute observations
Grambling University a mess. I remember in the 60s during the segregation years when they produced many great players. The great Eddie Robinson dint give a damn about anything....he coached these kids to be pros on and off the field.....he was an aggressive hands on coach who knew some psychology....he got them to play big time. Sad to see the turmoil there....I am sure there is enough blame to spread around.
Bill Russell, Celtic great, goes through airport and has loaded gun on him. What in hells name was Russ thinking? He is a smart man, was a great player.....very very bitter guy. Took a stern opposition to racism of the 60s. He was beloved by Celtic fans....but when he wanted to move into a exclusive white neighborhood the people freaked out. Cannot say I blame him for being pissed off, he really hates white people. That is sad to be loved but rebuked....I think he was one of the all time greats....he was a scary guy...he was the real first black coach.....I think 67-68 he was the player coach. Russ is one of my favs as a player and coach....he burned to win on the court and in life. Great man.
Bob Irsay is a damn fool. He was lucky to have PM. PM, Edge, Harrison, Reggie put the colts on the map....yes they lost some playoff games but they were a good team....good guys....Irsay is a rich idiot...nut didn't fall far from the tree. Hes a drunk jerk in appearance. The funniest thing was hearing him talk....ummm...Er...Ahh, uh....every other word was a reach....a drunk rich caveman who needs to be punched in the snoot!!! Ouch!!!!
All in all, despite all the mistakes, goofs, miscues, stumbles we found a way to win....it adds confidence, builds character and lets one know on any given day you can get beat by an opponent deemed inferior by many. You learn from it...or fail down the road!!!
Repeat after me Canespace: Tunnel vision for WF!!!! LOL!!! VAC
Posted by: VA Cane | October 20, 2013 at 10:41 AM
I got a feeling that our game against FSU will be in Primetime on ABC at 8pm. Go Canes beat Wake!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | October 20, 2013 at 10:41 AM
DJ Moonbat,
How in the fukk do you think our defense is better suited for FSU??? We run dam near the same suck azz zone. The difference is Clemson's zone at least attacks the backfield. LMAO
Posted by: CoCane | October 19, 2013 at 11:44 PM
Well, since you asked so nicely, here's my thinking:
Clemson had no big cover guys. We have Gunter.
On the other side, for that beast Greene, we at least have Tracy Howard.
Now, from all existing evidence, that TE O'Leary will eat the 'Canes alive, but we should do better against those two WRs, which was really where the bulk of the damage last night came from. I'm not saying UM is going to shut those guys down. But I don't think Miami will be utterly destroyed by FSU's wideouts.
FSU's running backs are pretty good, and maybe FSU will be able to shift seamlessly to a backs-and-TEs focus. In that case, Miami is most likely hosed. But if the tendencies remain the same, I think UM will at least outperform Clemson.
Posted by: dj moonbat | October 20, 2013 at 10:47 AM
290
Posted by: SOUP | October 20, 2013 at 11:22 AM
Perryman has the talent to keep O'Leary to short gains. He's much smaller than Ebron.
Posted by: The Dude | October 20, 2013 at 11:32 AM
I think that the top 10 should look like this:
#1 Oregon
#2 Florida State
#3 Alabama
#4 Missouri
#5 Ohio State
#6 Miami
#7 Stanford
#8 Baylor
#9 Texas Tech
#10 Clemson
Posted by: TonyCane | October 20, 2013 at 11:40 AM
Interesting how perennial "middle of the pack" Big 12 members Texas A&M and Missouri suddenly are major players in the vaunted SEC last year and this. Even almighty 'Bama 1-1 with the Aggies. Is the Big 12 that tough or is the SEC that bad? I know what ESPN will say...what about Cane Spacers?
Posted by: Texascane | October 20, 2013 at 11:43 AM
Why is everyone so ready to put Missouri so high?
Posted by: The Dude | October 20, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Not sure Texas. I'm in the heart of Longhorn country so I've been seeing the Big 12 in action for a while.
Missouri - had stretches where they were a decent program, but I thought that it would take a while before they were competitive in the SEC. I'm stunned that they are.
Texas A&M - This may sound ridiculous, but Johnny Manziel is the only reason that they are not a 5 or 6 win team. A&M struggled for a decade in the Big 12. To have them jump to a 10 win season last year after years of ineptitude speaks to the difference that Johnny Football made. Just like Vince Young elevated a previously plateaud UT squad into a national championship team. Or Cam Newton at Auburn.
At times the Big 12 could be viewed as right up there with the SEC. The 2009 Longhorns were arguably better than the Alabama team that beat them.
Posted by: TonyCane | October 20, 2013 at 12:03 PM
Why is everyone so ready to put Missouri so high?
Posted by: The Dude | October 20, 2013 at 12:02 PM
Undefeated, with victories over UF and UGa, which are schools that have long-term prestige, even if they're not so great this year.
Posted by: dj moonbat | October 20, 2013 at 12:08 PM
Here is what I think it will look like:
#1 Alabama
#2 Oregon
#3 Florida State
#4 Ohio State
#5 Stanford
#6 Baylor
#7 Miami
#8 Missouri
#9 Texas Tech
#10 Clemson
Posted by: SOUP | October 20, 2013 at 12:09 PM
Who have they beaten besides injured UGA and injured UF? I really haven't watched them play, do they pass the eyeball test?
Posted by: The Dude | October 20, 2013 at 12:10 PM
SOUP, Stanford at #5? Really? A week after they lose to 3-2 unranked Utah?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 20, 2013 at 12:21 PM
Canes #6 in Coaches poll!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 20, 2013 at 12:23 PM
@BFeldmanCBS: Lastest Coaches Poll:
1. Bama
2. Oregon
3 FSU
4. OhioSt
5. Baylor
6. Miami
7. Mizzou;
8. STAN
9. TTU
10. Clemson
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 20, 2013 at 12:26 PM
SOUP, Stanford at #5? Really? A week after they lose to 3-2 unranked Utah?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | October 20, 2013 at 12:21 PM
U are correct, I had Stanford WAY too high.
Posted by: SOUP | October 20, 2013 at 12:29 PM