The relatively well known saying that is the title of this blog has become fairly popular over the past few years. It came to mind as I was walking out of the Citrus Bowl the other night after the Miami Hurricanes were completely blown out of the Russell Athletic Bowl by the Louisville Cardinals 36-9.
So I thought I would put together a list of five simple wishes that many Hurricane fans probably had prior to the game, Miami's first bowl game in four years, that simply did not come true in Orlando .
Maybe in looking back, you might even say that these hopeful and optimistic prognostications were probably not very wise wishes to begin with?
Wish #1: We all wished that with the NCAA investigation finally over, and the supposed "cloud being lifted" off of the UM program, and with Miami being bowl eligible for the first time in many years, that Hurricane fans would have somewhere fun to go and something good to cheer about.
Result: The first part of this wish actually came true as several Canespacers attended the pep rally at Pointe Orlando on Friday and managed to spend some quality time walking around, eating and drinking in the popular I-Drive tourist area of Orlando. We met many UM fans for the first time and some that we have known for many, many years. The second part of the wish was a completely different story however as the Hurricanes laid a massive, steaming, stinking turd on the field at the old and soon to be renovated Citrus Bowl on Saturday night. There was little (sacking Bridgewater for a safety) if anything (0 points score by the offense until a late TD) to cheer for by those wearing orange and green in the stands. After four years of waiting for a bowl game the UM fans left the Citrus bowl either numb, or cursing or just shaking their heads while asking themselves: "What was that?" Be careful what U wish for.
Wish #2: As many here already know I wished all along that Miami would be selected to play in Orlando rather than Atlanta so I could attend the game since I, and many other Hurricane fans, live in Central Florida. I even bet my good friend and Canespace blogger Terrance a dinner over the bowl selection and won the bet.
Result: I regret making this wish. The game itself was absolutely miserable even though I was one of the few of the over 30 fans I met at the game who tried to remain positive even going into the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach. The parking was horrendous, the traffic around Orlando during Christmas week is no picnic and even though it was a "local game" for me I still spent more of my hard earned money on a pitiful entertainment performance by the Hurricanes than I would have liked. The bet with Terrance is now one in retrospect that I wish I would have lost. Don't you find it just a bit ironic that Terrance (in spite of his plan to attend) never made it to Orlando for the bowl game while I did but wished I didn't? Like I said, be careful what U wish for.
Wish #3: We all wished that with 15 extra practices for the bowl game and a month to prepare that at the very least these two things would happen: (1) The team individually and collectively would get better and execute at a very high level; and (2) That the UM coaching staff would have the team well prepared and demonstrate their coaching ability.
Result: This wish became just another of many wishes UM fans have had to throw into the dumpster during the 2013 college football season. The Hurricane fans' wish list (realistic or not) that was drawn up before this season is too long to get into right now but we will return to that another time. However, the preparation, execution and coaching from Miami was bordering on non-existent based on the performance on the field during the Russell Athletic Bowl. The UM offense looked completely unprepared for the Louisville defense master-minded by Cardinal head coach Charlie Strong. The UM defense, while playing relatively well for most of the first half eventually got tired (or overwhelmed by the UM offensive ineptitude) and surrendered over 500 yards for the sixth straight game. The only highlight was season MVP punter Pat O'Donnell who boomed several nice punts during the evening. When all you have to cheer is your punter playing well (think Matt Bosher), you wind up leaving the game early and angry like many UM fans did by the end of the third quarter. Even though we stayed, we don't blame them for leaving, they never wished for this.
Wish #4: I had wished that UM head coach Al Golden would use this bowl game as a tool that could once and for all silence even some of his most vocal and harshest critics and as a step forward in dominating the recruiting wars that are sure to follow as Louisville joins the ACC in 2014.
Result: Much to my chagrin, this wish most certainly did not come true and in fact may have made matters even worse. Golden and his coaching staff clearly opened themselves up to even more criticism than they had endured at previous times this season. Miami had several chances at winning their division of the ACC this year but dropped the ball both times versus Virginia Tech and Duke. Losing to a basketball school like Duke had stung the worst until the debacle in Orlando versus Louisville, a team that many Hurricane fans hate and one that is joining the ACC next year. If you thought that former UM DL coach Clint Hurtt was stealing talent from South Florida before the game then what do you think he will do after that thrashing about the head and neck the Miami Hurricanes took from the Louisville Cardinals the other night?
Wish #5: Miami fans wished for a bowl game win for the first time in many years, a solid 10 win season for the first time in what now seems like forever and some serious positive momentum going into the 2014 season and the high school recruiting and signing period.
Result: So how did that wish turn out? Not so good U say? If this wish were a dream it would be a nightmare, which is exactly what the Russell Athletic Bowl game was for Miami Hurricane fans, players and coaches. The team showed up in Orlando but did not show up to play at the Citrus Bowl. What makes it even more disturbing is that before the game I talked to one of the player's parent who said that Golden met with them in Orlando and told them that: "The team is ready, the guys are really motivated to play!" How can you be so out of touch with your team that you have no clue who is motivated or what "ready to play" is? With all due respect, all I can say that if that demonstration of lack of preparation and execution that we all saw on Saturday night is what Al Golden thinks is "ready to play", then I would hate to see the opposite of that.
At this point of the article I was just going to wish all of the great bloggers out there in Canespace a Happy New Year. But then again this wishing thing hasn't turned out so well for us this year now has it?
Yes indeed, I think we must all be very, very careful what we wish for.
Uno
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | December 30, 2013 at 01:06 PM
damn....
Posted by: raizecane | December 30, 2013 at 01:07 PM
dos
Posted by: j.w. | December 30, 2013 at 01:07 PM
Read it and weep. I did.
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:11 PM
Ouch
Posted by: Yoopercane | December 30, 2013 at 01:11 PM
Derek Tyson @DerekTysonESPN 43s
Dalvin Cook just walked up behind Chad Thomas who was doing a video interview and did the Gator chomp. #Gators
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:12 PM
Chad should of busted his lip
Posted by: UMike | December 30, 2013 at 01:13 PM
Happy Holidays to you as well and to the many bloggers that make this site so great.
Posted by: NY Trooper | December 30, 2013 at 01:14 PM
When will we have a DC that wont drop McCord and Muhammad into coverage? There Rush LBS or defensive ends goddamit even my 2 year old daughter knows that!!!
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | December 30, 2013 at 01:14 PM
I want to just look forward to next year, but I know D'No will still be there and it makes me sad all over again lol
Posted by: UMike | December 30, 2013 at 01:15 PM
Great article....and so true.
Soup - I am giving that louisville fan "kudos" for predicting the Canes would only score 10 points.
Posted by: raizecane | December 30, 2013 at 01:16 PM
When will we have a DC that wont drop McCord and Muhammad into coverage? There Rush LBS or defensive ends goddamit even my 2 year old daughter knows that!!!
Posted by: UpNorthCane | December 30, 2013 at 01:14 PM
Or freakin Shayon Green!!!! lol
Posted by: UMike | December 30, 2013 at 01:17 PM
Yes Shayon green!!! No'D, at least make sure the person you drop is fast enough and has two good knees you jerk!!!
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | December 30, 2013 at 01:19 PM
Im a Shayon Green fan, hes came a long way imo.. but spread out like a DB? come on man lol
Posted by: UMike | December 30, 2013 at 01:20 PM
I see D'No finally pushed UpNorth over to the dark side... Ohio is next lol
Posted by: UMike | December 30, 2013 at 01:20 PM
Bridgewater threw for a career-high 447 yards, scored four touchdowns and earned game MVP honors in what might have been his final college appearance. Watson called it the best game he has seen Bridgewater play. By far.
This can apply to almost every QB we faced this year,
Posted by: raizecane | December 30, 2013 at 01:22 PM
Soup - I am giving that louisville fan "kudos" for predicting the Canes would only score 10 points.
Posted by: raizecane | December 30, 2013 at 01:16 PM
Yeah we called him crazy and he had the UL score wrong at 13 but the UM score just about nailed at 10 points! LOL
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:25 PM
Im on the darkside when it comes to D'No im tired of that defensive shit show.. but I will definitely be a 12%er next year because that's all I know when it comes to my CANES!!!
FIRE NO'D
WARN COLEY that he's next!
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | December 30, 2013 at 01:26 PM
Soup, good article...very painful to read but true. I appreciate the fact that you keep things grounded around here no matter the outcome. Living in
Upper Michigan I've had the opportunity to share my love for the Canes and even have had people in my circle of life who are hard core Wolverine fans rooting for the Canes when they play. It was soooo hard to come in to work this morning only to hear "what the hell happen to the Canes?" All I could do is stare off into space looking like a deer in headlights. Happy New Year to you and everyone here! Go Canes!
Posted by: Yoopercane | December 30, 2013 at 01:26 PM
Everyone knew it and I said BEFORE the game to MANY people on Friday and Saturday that for UM to have any chance to win they must score 30 points. Well that didn't happen now did it?
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:27 PM
You know who's got a really, really 'multiple' defensive front?
Louisville.
Posted by: dj moonbat | December 30, 2013 at 01:27 PM
Happy Holidays to you as well and to the many bloggers that make this site so great.
Posted by: NY Trooper | December 30, 2013 at 01:14 PM
Thank U sir, much respect!
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:28 PM
Great article and ohhhhhhhhhhh so true!
Posted by: Canesteeler | December 30, 2013 at 01:31 PM
1. Soup, good article...very painful to read but true. I appreciate the fact that you keep things grounded around here no matter the outcome.
2. Happy New Year to you and everyone here!
Posted by: Yoopercane | December 30, 2013 at 01:26 PM
1. I call it like I see it. There is a time to be supportive, positive and hopeful and a time to critical and truthful about what U see with your own eyes. I try to be as fair and balanced as I can with that "process".
2. Same right back at U!
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:31 PM
Great article, although I didn't think the defense played well at all in the first half, save for the three downs they went to the 4-3 and then on third and long had Bridgewater do what made me want him to sign with UM in the first place and escape pressure for a perfectly placed throw on the run at the first down sticks on the sideline against tight man coverage for the conversion. Then it was back to the 3-4 slow bleed crap for the rest of the half which gives them no chance to win.
"I see D'No finally pushed UpNorth over to the dark side... Ohio is next lol
Posted by: UMike | December 30, 2013 at 01:20 PM"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Oy6DwHAi70
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | December 30, 2013 at 01:32 PM
I'm going to say something counterintuitive and say that Al Golden is overperforming to a degree. Maybe a large degree. There are some interesting numbers to back this up and I'll share them later.
Bottom line, this was our weakest roster since 1997.
Posted by: TonyCane | December 30, 2013 at 01:35 PM
Common terms to describe the UM "defenses" during Golden's tenure.
Year 1...The "So So Def" defense.
Year 2..."The Water-Break Boyz" "defense".
Year 3...The "Career High" "defense"...The "Pro-Day" "defense"...The "NFL Combine" "defense".
Posted by: CaneRock | December 30, 2013 at 01:38 PM
Soup one of your finest articles or blogs ever as painful as it is, it's so very true. Happy New Year peeps. Look forward to seeing you all in February in Miami.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 30, 2013 at 01:40 PM
Coaching Tree:
Al Golden: Safe
Mark D'Nofrio: Kick Rocks
Michael Barrow: Luke Warm
Jethro Franklin: Kick Rocks
Larry Scott: Who?
Brennan Carrol: Says alot about your coaches when the best position coach doesn't even or hasn't even played the position...
James Coley: King of Recruiting and Obviously One of VERY few coaches kids like..
Hurlie Brown: Ehh No Difference bring in someone ala Portis, Edge just for kids appeal..
Art Kehoe: Depends, I don't remember the U using that sorry excuse of a snap count before so Im gonna go on edge and say he is playing his role and being told to do this stupidness against his will...Pass for now but the eyes are watching..
Paul Williams: GoodBye, Hello Ed Reed...
The Notion of Making us a 3-4 KICK ROCKS 3 down lineman blows and it is the exact rights of passage to Swiss Cheese'n It... Bring back the 4-3 NOW get rid of D'No NOW..
RCCF12%yes we will be undefeated next year (overly optimistic about daU always)(sigh)
Posted by: RCCF | December 30, 2013 at 01:42 PM
Bottom line, this was our weakest roster since 1997.
Posted by: TonyCane | December 30, 2013 at 01:35 PM
LMAO! You've got to be PHUCKIN'! kiddin me...right?!
"Our weakest roster since 1997"?!
PLEEEEEZ! tell me you were in a coma in 2007...PLEEEEEEZ!
Posted by: CaneRock | December 30, 2013 at 01:42 PM
Rock...U forgot "Swiss Cheese", or was that somebody else's D? LOL
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:43 PM
I did a bit better than SOUP on what I wished for the season (but not so the bowl game).
1. An 8 win season - check
2. A bowl bid - check
3. Better special teams and points scored - check
4. Fewer key penalties or turnovers - check
5. Avoid major injuries or issues - check, other than Duke we did pretty good.
6. Finish the NCAA stuff - check, all good
On the down side..
1. Better D - not even close, total fail
2. Win at least one big game - Nope, UF was a bust team this year, got crushed in the rest
3. Win the Division - Nope, and had several chances and wasted them
4. Win a bowl game - Nope again, although to be fair I thought we should have been in a lower tier game than against a top 25 team. Might have had a chance to win at least.
As for the bowl game itself, SOUP has it right on. How you can play that badly on O after all the extra practice and prep time is beyond me. There's either something missing in the locker room that we don't see, or the coaching staff just isn't capable......
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 30, 2013 at 01:45 PM
Rock...U forgot "Swiss Cheese", or was that somebody else's D? LOL
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:43 PM
Hold on, let me check with my people...APPROVED!
Posted by: CaneRock | December 30, 2013 at 01:45 PM
Soup, that is one of your best articles.
Tonycane, I hope you are right. It's not the losses so much as they WAY they happen. VTW, the 1997 roster had Najeh Davenport (Soph), Ed Reed, Dan Morgan, Nate Webster, Reggie Wayne and Damione Lewis - all freshman. Not such a bad roster, huh
Posted by: CGNC | December 30, 2013 at 01:48 PM
How you can play that badly on O after all the extra practice and prep time is beyond me.
1. There's either something missing in the locker room that we don't see;
2. Or the coaching staff just isn't capable.
Posted by: longtimecanefan | December 30, 2013 at 01:45 PM
Either way pick your poison, it ain't good.
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:48 PM
The Basketball Team Turned the world Upside Down Last Season Winning ACCChamps... i.e. Duke got good a Football.. WEIRD..
RCCF
Posted by: RCCF | December 30, 2013 at 01:50 PM
@allCanesBlog: 5-star defensive lineman commit Chad Thomas with the ultimate photobomb at the UnderArmour All-America game,... http://t.co/NMMV81aQZq
Posted by: Go Canes | December 30, 2013 at 01:51 PM
Soup, that is one of your best articles.
Posted by: CGNC | December 30, 2013 at 01:48 PM
Thank U!
I would NOT have wished this game on anybody. I felt really bad for KyCane, his wife and my brother who I talked into going.
The parking deal was awful in some abandoned lot with old, rotten buildings littering the property, it was like haunted because you just kinda knew that bad things had happened there.
As for the game itself, well U prolly saw that dumpster fire raging all the way from NC I bet? LOL
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:52 PM
@Morgan_Moriarty: #Canes WR commit Braxton Berrios with a nice diving catch. Kid is a beast. #UAAllAmerica
Posted by: Go Canes | December 30, 2013 at 01:58 PM
CaneRock, it's counterintuitive. I get that. But the numbers don't lie. Miami had literally twice the number of four star players on their roster in 2007 than they do now.
Posted by: TonyCane | December 30, 2013 at 02:05 PM
While everyone is firing this staff it sure seems like this excellent class is dying to play for them.
I know things are bad but even the most negative person has to see the difference in the caliber of player coming this year over years past.
What we do with them remains to be seen but these guys coming in are what the big schools without restrictions get year in and out.
Posted by: Go Canes | December 30, 2013 at 02:07 PM
The parking deal was awful in some abandoned lot with old, rotten buildings littering the property, it was like haunted because you just kinda knew that bad things had happened there.
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:52 PM
SERIOUSLY!, they should CEASE! hosting bowl games in that 5* DUMP! All that tourist money that comes through there, the City Of Orlando wouldn't miss that money!
PHUCK EM'!
Posted by: CaneRock | December 30, 2013 at 02:09 PM
http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2013/12/sean-mcdermott-nfl-head-coaching-vacancies.html
Here's who Ray Lewis said we should have hired.
Posted by: laquinton | December 30, 2013 at 02:15 PM
Go Canes.. I've never said we have lots of talent, but I have said it 100 times we have enough talent to NOT give up career days to mediocre players and teams. Teams that struggle on offense some how score 40 on us, an it got worse as the year went on. And this is year 3 with many of the same players. Sure we could use more talent, but D'No has to go.
Posted by: UMike | December 30, 2013 at 02:20 PM
Miami had literally twice the number of four star players on their roster in 2007 than they do now.
Posted by: TonyCane | December 30, 2013 at 02:05 PM
I!...DON'T!...CARE!
STATS don't mean SHIT!
Never forget the old saying..."Lies, damned lies, and statistics" (is a phrase describing the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments).
Posted by: CaneRock | December 30, 2013 at 02:26 PM
As for the game itself, well U prolly saw that dumpster fire raging all the way from NC I bet? LOL
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 01:52 PM
Why yes I did, from my couch. While I did not know if we could win, I was not expecting that. But I did get a call frm cgnc, jr. asking what the @&&%^!~ was going on LOL
When I went to that same bowl with Aqua to see them play Wisconsin, we parked over by the TD Waterhouse Center and took the shuttle. That was the year MiamiMike had to go to the ER - remember THAT?
Posted by: CGNC | December 30, 2013 at 02:28 PM
I know things are bad but even the most negative person has to see the difference in the caliber of player coming this year over years past.
Posted by: Go Canes | December 30, 2013 at 02:07 PM
If you watched Saturday's game and saw a bunch of well-coached players with no talent, there's just no reaching you with reasoned argument.
I never looked at that game and said, "well, there's no way to beat these guys. They're stronger, and they're faster."
I said, "there's a way to beat these guys, and the 'Canes have no idea what it is."
Posted by: dj moonbat | December 30, 2013 at 02:33 PM
That was the year MiamiMike had to go to the ER - remember THAT?
Posted by: CGNC | December 30, 2013 at 02:28 PM
Sure do:
http://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2009/12/its-just-a-game.html
Posted by: SOUP | December 30, 2013 at 02:40 PM
dj - exactly. I said the first while watching FSU - we were just outmatched (and outcoached). When we lost to VT and then to Duke, well...........
Posted by: CGNC | December 30, 2013 at 02:41 PM
I'm still pissed!!! Dammit Canes!
Posted by: 30CINCO | December 30, 2013 at 02:47 PM