Canespace Rules For The 2014 Season

Based on my extensive statistical research of the 2013 college football season, I have developed the following "Canespace Rules" (READ: identified criteria for winning) for the Miami Hurricanes during the 2014 season:

Canespace Rule #1: Offensive Points/Game Must Increase. On offense UM must go from 33.8 ppg in 2013 to 37 ppg in 2014, a difference of +3.2 ppg. In 2013 all of the top 20 offenses averaged 37 points or more per game led by Baylor. Regardless of who starts at QB in 2014, Miami has the offensive weapons and firepower to score and score often.

What the Hurricanes need is one more successful scoring drive per game that leads to at least a field goal and they will achieve this goal. Coach Coley must find a way for his offense to comply with the the Canespace 37 point rule.

Canespace Rule #2: Defensive Points/Game Must Decrease. On defense UM must go from allowing 26.8 ppg to 24 ppg, a difference of -2.8 ppg. Historically is has been shown that teams have been able to win a National Championship by holding the opposition to an average of under 27 ppg over the course of a season and UM did that in 2013 (26.8).

Eventually the UM defense has to at least partly resemble the Hurricane defenses of old if they are to win and win big. Increasing sacks and turnovers while also preventing explosive plays of 20 yards or more are the key ingredients in making the defensive turnaround at The U. Coach D'Onofrio must find a way for his defense to comply with the Canespace 24 point rule and we highly recommend that he do it now.

Canespace Rule #3: Offensive Third Down Conversion Rates Must increase. According to several of our bloggers on Canespace this may be among the most important rules of all. Many like to complain about the swiss-cheese like defense UM defense but few point their finger at the repeated three-and-outs that the offense racked up time and time again in 2013 that left their defensive brethren tired, beaten and exposed.

On offense UM must go from a .352 conversion rate up to a .420 rate. By keeping the offense on the field it protects the defense and keeps them rested, prepared and ready to rumble which leads us to...

Canespace Rule #4: Defensive Third Down Conversion Rates Must Decrease. On defense UM must go from a .419 conversion rate allowed down to a 3.50 rate. This is another critical area according to many of our bloggers. The Hurricane defense must find ways to stop allowing so many third down conversions and be able get off of the field in 2014. 

The UM defense must find a way to re-instill fear into opposing offenses that find themselves in third and long situations. That is because if I see a DB lined up 10 yards off of the ball and back-pedalling on a third and seven or they give up one more first down on third and 17, then I cannot be held responsible for my actions. Or those of OGV either. No, seriously.

Canespace Rule #5: Defensive Turnovers and T/O Margin Must Increase. This rule is also known as the Canespace "20/30 Rule". That means that UM cannot have more than 20 turnovers on offense (22 in 2013) and must have at least 30 takeaways on defense (27 in 2013) to be successful in 2014.

The Hurricanes were a +5 in turnover margin in 2013 but that is simply not good enough to compete with the top teams in the Nation. Many of the best teams were at least +10 or higher and that is the company the Miami needs to keep if they are to re-ascend to their once lofty perch of competing for National titles and not in a second tier bowl game at some dank stadium in Orlando.  

Canespace Rule #6: Penalties and Penalty Yards Must Decrease: This rule is also known as the Canespace "5/500 Rule". That means UM must limit their penalties to 5 or fewer per game (from 5.46) and have under 500 yards (from 582) in penalties this season.

If Nick Saban can do it at Alabama then Al Golden can do it at Miami. Yes indeed, we strongly suggest that the he and his Hurricanes do it, and do it now. Either that or you will be penalized by more than just the referees.

If UM can find a way to comply with these 6 simple rules and make the minor improvements in each of the categories I have identified then I predict that the Hurricanes will win at least 10 games, play for an ACC title and maybe even more in 2014.  And please remember: Failure is NOT an option.

Comments

[Terrance Sullivan]

I agree with this article 1000 percent. We must win ACC Coastal, Win 10 games, and win our Bowl Game. Go Canes!

[Habcane]

Rohan Marley

[TJL]

DOS

[SOUP]

Hester?

[The Dude]

Edge!

[The Dude]

Game 1 is key. We've got to avenge our loss and get this thing rolling again. 1-0 equals 3-0 w/ the way the schedule plays out.

[Sarasota 'cane]

Hey Soup good luck with your new career! That business bankrupted me but we we also in the throws of the worst recession since the Great Depression!
Hope to see you in Atlanta this season.

Go 'canes!

[SOUP]

Sarasota...I got no choice but to go ALL IN!

I am struggling to make it through the next few months. I need all the help, support and prayers I can get. The class is a B**** but I hope to pass the test!

[Sarasota 'cane]

I have no doubt you'll do fine. As we say here all the time, "You got this"!

[BigWindyCane1]

2016 class has top QB, top RB and top WR prospects in the state of Florida

[roachcane77]

"Failure is NOT an option."
Posted by: SOUP

And THERE IT IS!

(Nice job on that blog article young man!)

[VA Cane]

I've said it before, from a fundamentals point of view, Kaaya is the most advanced QB we've ever had coming out of HS. We'll see if he can put it all together by the Fall.

Fundamentals by now you know is my first name. I really like Kaaya; I'm betting on him to be the guy. I do like Williams, nice kid good player. I have seen enough knee injuries in my day, had one of my own. AP is the fastest recovery I have ever seen. No matter how sublime, knees are knees and they hurt for as long time. I am not a Kool Aid drinker about this recovery stuff re Williams. to take it a step further, if he is "recovered" and starts against whomever, as the DC I am going to find out how sound that knee is, as in direct hit to it to see how he reacts. Sounds cruel, but in major college football.....well any level football, if you know a guy has an injury, you test it with your best shot. Olsen seems unfocused, immature out of touch. I am not overly impressed by him, not real confident he has all the tools for a top level NC team/contender. If not, if he does not transfer, I would advise him we do not need you son!

[VA Cane]

"Failure is NOT an option."
Posted by: SOUP

And THERE IT IS!

(Nice job on that blog article young man!)

Winning is THE only option; there are no other choices on the test. The time is now; it approaches rapidly. I would love to put an ass whipping on that U of L basketball school...some Tatumizers, real knockout stretcher riding hits!!!! Send a Welcome to the ACC F**k You Card!!!!!!!

[SinisterCane]

Just WIN GO CANEZ

[UMike]

SOUP.. You got this man!!

[UMike]

And we should use the term "locking up" talent AFTER NSD lol.. unfortunately there is a good chance we will lose 2 of those 4 stud RB's.

Posted by: UMike | July 09, 2014 at 08:39 AM

I feel so sorry for U.

Posted by: SOUP | July 09, 2014 at 06:56 PM

I know, I know... some people around here just cant deal with the truth lol... I would LOVE to keep all 4 RB's, but from everything I have read its not likely. Williams has been rumored to flip since the day he committed and his family is wanting him at Florida. Cronk has said he would leave if Scarlett came aboard. I think if Walton does NOT reclassify we have a good chance of keeping all 4, or at least 3.. but no way all 4 make it in with this class.

If Walton stays and we keep Scarlett that is still a GREAT haul at the RB position.

[Displaced Cane]

So in order to win more games, we need to score more points and give up fewer points.

Got it.

[UMike]

Ridiculous how these NBA teams are overpaying for "decent" players...

[UMike]

DAMMMMM... Nets to pay a record 90 million in luxury tax and didnt even make the conference finals haha

[UMike]

Hmmm to zap or not to zap...

[Go Canes]

@mattyports: Should #Canes play Tyriq McCord at SLB? Plus notes on new Miami jerseys and new players: http://t.co/5TZ3nPAc26 http://t.co/kQLQj93ABb

[UMike]

Scarlett and Bruce were heavy FSU leans at one time, but Scarlett told 247Sports on Monday he had fallen out of touch with the Seminoles’ coaching staff.

“I feel like they are not stable with communicating with the recruits,” Scarlett said. “It is something they could work on, and maybe that could change my decision later on in the process.”

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/hssports/2014/07/st-thomas-aquinas-duo-jordan-scarlett-sam-bruce-expect-to-set-off-some-fireworks-with-commitments.html#storylink=cpy

[Ohio_Cane]

I would be more than fine with Tyriq at Sam, so long as he knows ALL of his assignments.

[SOUP]

Hmmm to zap or not to zap...

Posted by: UMike | July 10, 2014 at 07:14 AM

Your call, U got this.

SOUP is O U T...

[raizecane]

Canespace Rule #6 - show up, support your team, tailgate responsibly, and have FUN!!!

[UMike]

Ohio... I concur lol

[UMike]

Ohio.. what is your thinking on the 4 RB's and who stays or might go etc?

[UMike]

UM added fullback Matt Golden, who played at the the coach’s alma mater Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic. Another Al Golden nephew and RBC product, redshirt freshman receiver Greg Golden, signed with the Canes last year.

^^^ So now there are more Golden relatives on the roster than quality DT's hahahaha.. come on thats funny even for you homers lol

[VA Cane]

In other news Richard Sherman just cannot let go of this personal feud with Eric Crabtree. I can see it until after the NFC title game peak. The guy, for all his ability and intelligence, is way overboard on this thing. It makes him look like a fool to the ill informed and the guy is a Stanford grad. He needs to let it go, as well as the feud with Patrick Peterson. They both are fine players indeed, but neither has been in the league long enough to be considered an all time great yet. Work your craft and you will be mentioned with all the greats one day. Let the talk go guys.

[VA Cane]

Are these Goldens any good? Are they contributing to the push upward or just taking up space? do we need them to succeed? This does sound a little strange to do. I want the best players we can get not kinfolk getting a free ride.

[UMike]

VA.. their just walk-ons I believe

[Ohio_Cane]

Ohio.. what is your thinking on the 4 RB's and who stays or might go etc?

Posted by: UMike | July 10, 2014 at 07:56 AM
----------------------------------------------

Williams looks like a UF flip, but he's come out recently and said otherwise. Staff is recruiting him as ATH, not just RB, so that may intrigue him enough to stay.

I'll be really surprised if Cronkrite sticks.

If Walton doesn't reclassify, then Cronkrite might stick.

[UMike]

Ohio.. my thoughts exactly.

[SinisterCane]

In other news Richard Sherman just cannot let go of this personal feud with Eric Crabtree. I can see it until after the NFC title game peak. The guy, for all his ability and intelligence, is way overboard on this thing. It makes him look like a fool to the ill informed and the guy is a Stanford grad. He needs to let it go, as well as the feud with Patrick Peterson. They both are fine players indeed, but neither has been in the league long enough to be considered an all time great yet. Work your craft and you will be mentioned with all the greats one day. Let the talk go guys.

Posted by: VA Cane | July 10, 2014 at 08:19 AM

Some players just like to talk sh!! and just like the former players that used to play here, if you liked UM's 30 for 30 then Richard Sherman's act is a drop in the bucket

[VA Cane]

I love Sherman as a player, and he is highly intelligent. I would think that after a while HE would get tired of this foolishness. I don't know what it is with some players. I came along in a time where interviews were straight forward. If asked I spoke about doing my job and the importance of my team.

While I find it important to allow people to be themselves and have freedoms to speak, I find that a great deal of todays athletes are self centered. I think $ has a lot to do with this problem, as well as enhanced press coverage and the social medias of Facebook and Twitter. I do not use either and have no need for them.

I must say this: LeBron speaks very well, and is a throwback in many ways. I love his game and effort, and commend him as to how the man carries himself. He is without a doubt the best in the game and the face of the NBA. He always says and does the right things. I hope he never carries Melo to a title; despise Melo. Melo will never lead anyone anywhere; hew is not a leader. He is a greedy incomplete idiot and I hope he never wins a title. His legacy? Simple Greedy loser!!!

Lebron is a TEAM guy, Meloser is a ME guy. Me guys never win; they are permanent losers!!!

[VA Cane]

Some players just like to talk sh!!

Thats why I never like Irvin. Great great talent, great player...too much bs. When he lay on that turf and Philly cheered, you had to think he had a lot of it coming because he could not keep his trap shut. Same with Sapp; I love Oakland but hated that her played there. I would rather not have him than hear his BS!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

From CIS:

Detailed Update on Gray....

@joshdarrow: Spoke to Trayone Gray & 2 other sources RE: eligibility. Got same story. 1/2 credit short. Taking online class. Needs to pass. #RealNotBS

@joshdarrow: Gray just told me he needs about 3 more weeks to finish the class. Says he is working as fast as he can to get done.....

@joshdarrow: One last thing Re:Gray. He told me (as did one other source) if he passes he would start classes in fall (1/2)

@joshdarrow: The belief is if Gray passes/ enrolls for fall semester he could suit up for fall practice. Still trying to get 100% confirm on that (2/2)

[Ohio_Cane]

Man, if Chocolate gets in, that would be AWESOME!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Mike Farrell ‏@rivalsmike 6m

You have to love what Golden Al and staff are doing with #miami #canes, recruiting taking the next step

[Go Canes]

Ohio none of that counts because we are short on DTs.

[UMike]

Now Go Canes... cant you just look at the positive for at least one day... geez some guys!! haha

[VA Cane]

Got to give Gray credit; kids worked hard want to see him out there as his classroom effort has been great!!!!

Great job recruiting. We cannot change things right this moment. I would like some more big boys up front; we have a couple and will have to wing it. More important is to come together as a team, maximize strengths, minimize weaknesses, get better in the fundamentals and all 3 phases and go out and give it all we have to reach the only goal:Win!!!!!!

[UMike]

VA.. I agree with you about Gray... most kids would of jump ship already to Marshall or WV but he has kept working.

[UMike]

Dont worry Go Canes, Im sure the staff is fantasizing about quality DT's as we speak

[Ohio_Cane]

How do we have one DT? Whyche is legit and Moten was a 4* DT. #TrendingUp

[UMike]

I give you Moten.. Wyche is experienced, but not elite imo. When I listed all the players at other spots, I was only mentioning players 4-5 Star caliber or "elite" etc, in which since 2011 we have got Moten only.

You have to agree we have majorly whiffed on big time DT's, mostly from our own back yard. I know homers like Go Canes dont notice, but I praised the staff for the commits we got, their doing much better at keeping talent home.. just pointing out that LB and DT, DT especially is still lacking in a major way.

[UMike]

We have loaded up on WR and DE, and the RB dept is starting to look good as is QB, just saying we need that same success at the LB and DT spots, especially in the cycles where they are right here in South Florida. Missing out over the last 2 years hurts more when you have a cycle like this where there arent any top DT's locally.

[Lurker]

Wyche will surprise.

Bank it.

[UMike]

Lurker,..Im not saying he isnt a good player or that he wont help. What I am pointing out is that we have been able to secure commitments from elite talent in other areas since 2011, but not DT. Even if Wyche was a top 4-Star guy, that would give us 2 elite prospects at DT since 2011. That is 2 guys over 4 recruiting cycles.

We need to sick Coley on DT's from now on lol

[Go Canes]

UMike we whiffed on Bryant and Valentine for sure. But grades were a factor with one or maybe both.

It's the hardest position in football, along with QB, to get quality players at.

Bama, LSU and FSU are recruiting from a position of power. That's not going to change any time soon. Comparing where we are to them is only going to give you an ulcer.

We've had to get guys like Wyche and Hurtelou as we start bringing in our own guys like Moten.

It will happen, just like the rest of it is.