Break It Down: Miami vs FSU

This blog was written for Canespace by BLOGGER SJMPARMAN...

I have a sneaky suspicion we win the game.

Big games are won when your best player helps you win the game. Duke will get his yards. Duke is number 7 in rushing yards with 1213 yards. Karlos Williams is 110 with 520 yards. Yearby is 157th with 421 yards. Dalvin Cook is 161st with 416 yards. Miami averages 199.3 yards per game rushing. FSU averages 129.9 yards per game rushing. We have a huge advantage in the running game.

In pass efficiency, Kaaya is 11th with 2087 yards, with 20 tds and 9 ints and a 157.6 QBR. Winston is 21st with 2540 yards, with 17 tds and 11 ints, and a 150.8 QBR. I don't see this matchup as much more than a draw. Both guys will make their plays and a mistake here or there.

So if Miami can run, can FSU defend it? Rushing defense stats. Miami - 31st, allowing 131.9 yards a game on the ground. FSU - 35th allowing 135.7 yards per game. In the games I have watched FSU this year, it seems they are more vulnerable to the run compared to the last few years.

So if Miami and FSU can pass, who can defend better? Miami is 18th in pass efficiency defense, allowing 9 touchdowns with 8 ints and a 107 rating. FSU is 65th in pass efficiency defense, allowing 15 tds to 9 ints and a 126.8 rating. Miami is 11th in total defense and FSU is 49th.

Stats are just stats and all but some of them seem to favor us.

I like our chances.

Related articles

FSU ready for Johnson, 'Canes

Florida State vs. Miami odds, guide, and prediction

Florida State Football's Road to Making the College Football Playoff

Duke Johnson closing in on Miami's all-time rushing mark

Comments

[30CINCO]

#Dale!

[j.w.]

1?!!

[j.w.]

damn you, cinco!
j/k, well done.

[Ohio_Cane]

The Miami Hurricane ‏@MiamiHurricane 18s18 seconds ago

Tailgating starts earlier than usual for Saturday's game, and there will be a greater police presence in the lots http://buff.ly/1wV9WvE

[UpNorthCane27]

Bout to get the Miami feel for my house party on Saturday night.

Mini-Cubanos

Mojitos

Cuba Libre

Smoked Wings

[Ohio_Cane]

There it is!

Hurricanes Football ‏@CanesFootball 2m2 minutes ago

BEAT FSU.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2WYOvPIIAAjUPY.jpg

[Go Canes]

When I saw him wearing it talking to Fowler had a feeling we'd be getting that look Saturday!!

[Go Canes]

@CanesWarningFS: NEW: Here's a list of recruits who will be attending this weekend's game. We'll be updating throughout http://t.co/E0SLg1MtIc

[Go Canes]

@TravisBenjamin3: Them ppl from up the road know what time it is http://t.co/PndTPTYOaz

[Ohio_Cane]

Flowers and Gus are "probable"!

[Ohio_Cane]

Dick Vitale ‏@DickieV 4m4 minutes ago

Canes football players ready. They can't wait, 51 hours and counting http://instagram.com/p/vWv7OwArea/

[Go Canes]

Dickie V makes me laugh:

@DickieV: Diaper dandy of football, Brad Kaaya! http://t.co/LrtY3z86uz

[LB]

"Bout to get the Miami feel for my house party on Saturday night.

Mini-Cubanos

Mojitos

Cuba Libre

Smoked Wings"

Preach.

Every bad idea in the history of the universe has been scientifically proven to have originated from Florida State.

[Ohio_Cane]

ICYMI:

Ohio_Cane
Scott Patchan, Welcome to the U!

Signed his NLOI today.

(Early signing period for EE's)

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | November 13, 2014 at 03:02 PM

[Ohio_Cane]

Dickie V makes me laugh:

@DickieV: Diaper dandy of football, Brad Kaaya! http://t.co/LrtY3z86uz

Posted by: Go Canes | November 13, 2014 at 05:42 PM
---------------------------------

He's a PTP'er baby!!

[Sarasota 'cane]

Any Dolphin predictions for tonight? Buffalo has had Miami's # for so long now that I never go into this game "knowing" the Dolphins will win. It's uncanny. The Dolphins had all the tools to beat the Bills earlier this year and then...they lost!!

I feel really good about their chances tonight but I've said that soooooooooo many times since 1985 that I can't pull the trigger and guarantee a win!

Anywho, Go Dophins!!!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

I'm torn on whether or not to play Sammy Watkins in my fantasy league. That's about the only thing I care about for tonight's game lol

[CaneRock]

@beauty_mullins: These ****es got some nerves...really??? I get this in the mail 2 days before D-Day??? Disrespectful muthafuckas http://t.co/qf8BtXxuS9

@beauty_mullins: Those who know me know I hate the word IF
If my son wasnt a #Canes man he wouldnt go to fsu. Id rather send him to west bubba**** university

[Ohio_Cane]

Gotta LOVE momma Mullins!

[dj moonbat]

Gotta LOVE momma Mullins!

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | November 13, 2014 at 07:08 PM

She's certainly colorful. I wonder whether the various recruiters keep track of her Twitter feed, and what they must think.

[WWIN]

Posted by: 30CINCO | November 13, 2014 at 02:05 PM

Very touching story, makes me appreciate life more. We have to cherish every moment we have with our loved ones!

[WWIN]

30C,

Great avatar!!!! Almost better than mine! Lol

[Go Canes]

At the fins game. Playoffs start tonight!

[86Cane]

Mini-Cubanos

Mojitos

Cuba Libre

Smoked Wings

Posted by: UpNorthCane | November 13, 2014 at 03:58 PM

Donde esta la fiesta?

#Dale

[86Cane]

Anywho, Go Dophins!!!!!

Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | November 13, 2014 at 06:58 PM

There IT is right there.

[86Cane]

Flowers and Gus are "probable"!

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | November 13, 2014 at 04:29 PM

Good news all around.

#GusTheBus

#FlowersPower

[Go Canes]

Oh Ryan.

Just slide brother.

[86Cane]

Former WRs do NOT slide!

[Lurker]

Tannehill could have easily run for first down. Instead, he throws a shltty pass. His decision making and intellect have always been suspect.

[Go Canes]

The dolphins need un despojo.

[86Cane]

Y buena suerte? Dale!

[UpNorthCane27]

Soup la foesta is Upnorth homie in the little state known as Rhode Island... Yall are welcome to come by but im sure you don't wanna leave the beautiful south florida weather for the goddamnnn cold!

[86Cane]

Si las mujeres estan caliente y la comida esta buena y las bebidas etsan fuerte yo puedo ir a Alaska por eso!

[WWIN]

In English please!

Go Bills!

[raizecane]

Mini-Cubanos

Mojitos

Cuba Libre

Smoked Wings

Posted by: UpNorthCane | November 13, 2014 at 03:58 PM

**********************************

I am on my way......

[86Cane]

If the women are HOT.

The food is GOOD.

And the drinks are STRONG.

I would go to Alaska for that!

[dj moonbat]

Doesn't "puedo" mean "can" or "may"?

[UpNorthCane27]

You already know fellas mi casa es su casa!!!

Its almost game time, lets get this muthaplucking W!!!!

Bills and dolphins is as boring as it gets all about TB12 and that big ole slim man wilfork

[86Cane]

Doesn't "puedo" mean "can" or "may"?

Posted by: dj moonbat | November 13, 2014 at 10:47 PM

Si mi amigo!

Yo puedo = I can

[The Dude]

Mi espousa ablar espanol pedro mi espanol es muy malo. Yo necessito mucho practicar.

[The Dude]

^^^ I'm sure that's completely screwed up. Lol.

[Sarasota 'cane]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIcIPd9bDBI

Oh yeah!!!!!

Go Dolphins!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TonyCane]

It was cool to watch tonight's game thinking that in two days...THE REAL GAME BEGINS.

SEE Jaemis Winston throw not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, not six, not seven, but eight interceptions in the first half!

SEE Jimbo Fischer break out into a fever sweat as his dreams of a national championship ebb away. And strangely, Sunlife Stadium seems to morph into the contours of the old, beloved Orange Bowl.

SEE Duke Johnson rush for over 150 yards and two scores on a tired FSU defense, that has never seen the likes of this level of competition throughout the year.

CRINGE as Joe Theisman call for Miami to call off its season...because they were too dominant tonight and that was just not fair!

WITNESS Brad Kayaa throw for over 300 yards and three scores, and immediately make himself the frontrunner for the 2016 Heisman trophy.

LAUGH as banner planes fly over Sun Life with the message "Save the Seminoles - Bring Back Bowden"

CHEER as dozens of four and five star prospects in attendance toss aside FSU swag and race to Twitter and other online accounts to announce verbal commitments to the Hurricanes

LISTEN as far away, Terry Porter throws a yellow flag in frustration.

ROAR as the Hurricanes do as what one of their more famous alumni often says (to paraphrase), "Finally, the Canes have come back...to dominance!"

[Sarasota 'cane]

TONY...wake up!! You were dreaming again!! Where did you get these red slippers??? Kansas????

[NativeCane]

48 hours til I roll out and say,"Did we just beat the phlucking schmidt outta the Criminoles?"

Dem Canes!!!

[Go Canes]

Wasn't the coach from ECU the flavor of the month on here not that long ago?

Gave up half a hundred to Cincy last night.

@ESPNCFB: FINAL: Cincinnati 54, ECU 46

Cincinnati (6-3) caps this crazy game by returning a failed lateral for a TD. http://t.co/h1hDNA3zYi

[CaneRock]

No, Ruffin McNeil was not a "flavor of the month", you know that...just like you knew Travonte Valentine isn't eligible to play this season. But go ahead and keep takin' lil' jabs to protect ya' boys incompetence last season, and early this season.

[Lurker]

I distinctly recall a couple of posters pimping McNeil as head coach here, a couple of months back.i don't know if he's any good or not or what his overall record is, but I remember that.

Let's keep it 💯 for real.

[Surfercane]

Go Canes - I do not recall the coach of ECU being a hot name on this blog. Tho it is nice to see that some of the teams we best have winning records. Improvement indeed Canes are on the up tick. Keep playing aggressive D baby! I like Kaaya a lot!!!!!!!!

[Go Canes]

Lol.

Thought that was him.

Game day eve, let's do this!!

Go Canes!!!

[Go Canes]

Absolutely Surfer! Our strength of schedule continues to look very good.

[raizecane]

FSU only favored 1.5 points. Seems like Vegas likes the Hurricanes chances.

[CaneRock]

I did watch USC last night though...now there's a team exceeding expectations, with little resources (players). How many schollies do they have again, about 50-something? But you don't hear their coach saying, "We're not where we wanna be yet" LMAO!

[AeroCane]

TonyCane - that was simply awesome!

[30CINCO]

UM's Brad Kaaya ready for his next test: FSU
By Christy Cabrera Chirinos, www.sun-sentinel.com

James Coley remembers the phone call, the excited voice on the other end of the line.

As he watched his former team win the national title, Miami's offensive coordinator exchanged a few brief words with the young quarterback prospect he hoped would one day lead the Hurricanes to a moment similar to the one Florida State experienced this past January in Pasadena, Calif.

At the time, neither the coach or Brad Kaaya likely imagined the moment they could share now as the freshman prepares to lead Miami's offense Saturday when the Hurricanes host the third-ranked Seminoles in the latest chapter of one of college football's most storied rivalries.

"He called me from the game and said, 'Coach, I can't wait to come down and be a Hurricane,'" Coley recalled of the conversation he and Kaaya had that night while the quarterback was at the Rose Bowl to see Florida State's 34-31 win over Auburn in the BCS National Championship Game. "He knew then this game was coming. This game is part of Brad Kaaya's history at the University of Miami."

Earlier this year, few around Miami's program expected Kaaya to be in the position in which he now finds himself. But projected starter Ryan Williams tore his ACL in spring practice. Then veteran Jake Heaps transferred to Miami and brought three years of college football experience with him, making himself one of the early front runners for Miami's starting job.

But when Kaaya arrived on campus in May, days removed from his high school graduation, his strong arm, incredibly sharp football mind, work ethic and an uncanny understanding of Miami's quarterback history quickly impressed coaches and teammates.

"A week into it, it was like, 'Holy cow. He knows as much as everybody else,'" Coley said.

In August, it was Kaaya who earned the starting nod and since, he's done plenty to reward the faith the Hurricanes have had in him. He enters Saturday's game as the ACC's touchdown leader with 20 scoring passes and is also the conference's leader in quarterback rating (157.6).

Kaaya, who has thrown for 2,087 yards, needs just 243 yards to break Bernie Kosar's freshman season record set when the former Miami great was a redshirt freshman in 1983.

But Kaaya, as expected, has made mistakes while adjusting to the college game. He's thrown nine interceptions this season, all of which came during Miami's first six games. There have been moments when Coley admits he nervously wondered if the quarterback would buckle under the pressure.

"It can give you an ulcer. You take 50 shots of Cuban coffee a day and you're a nervous wreck when you're home because you don't know what's going to happen," he said of starting a freshman. "You're always nervous. Is this the game where he completely collapses? But you have to say to yourself, 'What are you talking about? Watch him in practice.' You have to have a lot of confidence in what you're doing, what you're evaluating, whether or not it's the right thing and you have to stick to your guns."

And that's what Coley and Miami's staff have done. They stayed the course with Kaaya, something Ed Croson, Kaaya's coach at Chaminade Prep in West Hills, Calif., said has made a difference in the quarterback's development.

"He's really come of age," Croson said. "We're really proud of him and very impressed with how the way they've handled the whole situation at the University of Miami. . . . They're not hanging him out there."

Now Kaaya prepares to enter the fray against Florida State and the Seminoles' defense, a unit determined to rattle the 19-year-old who was seemingly unflappable while playing in front of more than 90,000 fans at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium in only the second road game of his college career.

His numbers and performance have been compared favorably to the ones put up by FSU quarterback Jameis Winston, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. And that alone makes Kaaya smile considering he spent much of his senior year watching film of Winston and several other top college quarterbacks, preparing for the day when he'd get the chance to match wits with them.

Now that moment is here and those who know him best say he's ready for what Saturday will bring.

"Their 25-game win streak, they're a really good football team, but it's really not Florida State. It's really Cover 2, Cover 3, Cover 1, Sam and Mike blitz, corner fire," Coley said. "That's how the game is played in the helmet. It's not played looking at the helmet."

And for Kaaya, playing Florida State really is that simple.

"It's part of why I came here," he said with a smile.

[30CINCO]

Unity Dinner tonight at Duke's house: barbecue chicken, ribs, steak -- and of course, crab legs
By Susan Miller Degnan, miamiherald.typepad.com

Just talked to Cassandra Mitchell, Miami running back Duke Johnson's No. 1 fan, who also happens to be his mother.

Cassandra is having a feast tonight for the Miami Hurricane running backs and defensive backs.

It's called a "Unity Dinner,'' and Cassandra said that UM coach Al Golden started the tradition when he began coaching the Hurricanes in 2011.

"Every Thursday before home games they have a meeting,'' Cassandra said of the players, "and all the position groups break up and go to dinner.''

Usually, the running backs head to Cassandra's house in Miramar.

But because this week is the heralded UM-FSU game, the Mitchells invited the DBs as well.

"I wanted to invite the O-line,'' Cassandra said, "but I didn't think I could feed them all.''

What's on the menu for this week's Unity Dinner? Just a little something special in honor of FSU quarterback Jameis Winston.

"Barbecue chicken, barbecue ribs, corn on the cob, baked beans, seafood rice, salad, steaks and... crab legs,'' Cassandra said, laughing. "That was my husband's idea. He had to have crab legs."

Duane Mitchell, Cassandra's husband and a Miami Beach police detective, "does the cooking,'' she said. Her dad, Alvin Williams, "does the barbecuing, and I do the seafood rice. They cook enough for an army.''

She said it's a pleasure to watch the players "interacting without being serious -- relaxing. They're laughing a lot. Everybody is on their phones, on Twitter, but I make them put their phones down.''

I asked Cassandra how excited Duke is for Saturday's game.

"You know,'' she said, "I can't get any emotions out of Duke. The only think he keeps saying is, 'It's just another game, Mom. Don't change anything, don't do anything extra. Let's keep it the same way since we've been winning.'''

Here's to some hearty appetites -- on and off the football field.

[CaneRock]

What's on the menu for this week's Unity Dinner? Just a little something special in honor of FSU quarterback Jameis Winston.

"Barbecue chicken, barbecue ribs, corn on the cob, baked beans, seafood rice, salad, steaks and... crab legs,'' Cassandra said, laughing. "That was my husband's idea. He had to have crab legs."

LMAO!

[86Cane]

When Miami Dolphins rookie receiver Jarvis Landry dived into the end zone for a fourth-quarter touchdown, he was just getting started. A replay review upheld the score, and Landry then sprinted up and down the sideline in a celebration of redemption.

Landry bounced back from a potentially disastrous fumble, and the Dolphins ended a streak of three consecutive losses to Buffalo, overcoming a third-quarter deficit to win 22-9.

Ryan Tannehill shook off five sacks to throw late touchdown passes of 7 yards to Brandon Gibson and 8 yards to Landry. Tannehill went 26 for 34 for 240 yards, and Lamar Miller rushed for 86 yards.

Miami trailed 9-3 before outscoring Buffalo 19-0 over the final 18 minutes. The Dolphins improved to 6-4, their best record after 10 games since 2008.

The Bills, trying to end a 14-year playoff drought, fell to 5-5 with their second loss in a row.

Stymied by Buffalo's front four in recent meetings, the Dolphins had scored one touchdown in 33 possessions against the Bills before late TD drives of 80 and 63 yards. Otherwise a stout defense did the heavy lifting for Miami, which scored a safety on a penalty.

[Go Canes]

Are you sure USC's coach hasn't said that? If he's not he definitely should be.

Cause last time I checked they have three losses, including an embarrassing one at home to unranked Boston College where they gave up over 450 yards rushing.

Is that better or worse than the 300 we gave up on the road to two of the top five or six rushing teams in the country?

Like us, they've been facing a total rebuild. Like us, they are recruiting very well and doing an excellent job getting back to national relevance.

[Go Canes]

Great article on Kaaya 30. Coaches over there seem genuinely impressed with the way Coley and the rest of our staffing is developing him.

Hope that continues to open up the pipeline back to California where we have picked up some of the best players in our program's history.

[360Cane]

2 weeks to prepare. No excuses. []_[]

[Lurker]

Posted by: Go Canes | November 14, 2014 at 09:03 AM

Why let facts get in the way.

I'm hopeful the canes win, but I'm not sitting around waiting for them to lose so I can start tearing into the coaches again.

[30CINCO]

"He called me from the game and said, 'Coach, I can't wait to come down and be a Hurricane,'" Coley recalled of the conversation he and Kaaya had that night while the quarterback was at the Rose Bowl to see Florida State's 34-31 win over Auburn in the BCS National Championship Game. "He knew then this game was coming. This game is part of Brad Kaaya's history at the University of Miami."

http://www.troll.me/images/baby-to/thats-my-quarterback-thumb.jpg

[Lurker]

^^^^^^^^^^

That's really funny!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Visitor list for Canes vs FSU:

2015

ATH Rodrick Archer (South Plantation)

S Shawn Burgess-Becker (Monarch)

WR Antonio Callaway (Booker T. Washington)

LB Tevon Coney (Palm Beach Gardens)

CB Carlton Davis (Norland)

CB Davante Davis (Booker T. Washington)

DL Ryan Fines (IMG Academy)

OL Tyler Gauthier (Venice)

DL Rasheem Green (Junipero Serra, CA)

LB John Houston (Junipero Serra, CA)

CB Mike Jackson (Spain Park, AL)

S Jaquan Johnson (Killian)

DL Shelton Johnson (Atlantic Community)

ATH Jalen Julius (West Orange)

QB Dwayne Lawson (Hillsborough)

OL Brendan Loftus (Godby)

OL Hayden Mahoney (Malvern Prep, PA)

DL Richard McIntosh, Jr. (Cardinal Gibbons)

OL Bar Milo (Chaminade Prep, CA)

DL Scott Patchan (IMG Academy)

LB Charles Perry (Royal Palm Beach)

WR DaVante Phillips (Miami Central)

WR Calvin Ridley (Monarch)

LB Quarte Sapp (Milton, GA)

RB Jordan Scarlett (St. Thomas Aquinas)

OL Tyree St. Louis (IMG Academy)

DL Jason Strowbridge (Deerfield Beach)

RB Mark Walton (Booker T. Washington)

RB Dexter Williams (West Orange)

2016

QB Jack Allison (Palmetto)

TE Cary Angeline (Downingtown East, PA)

DL Patrick Bethel (Vero Beach)

OL Parker Boudreaux (Bishop Moore)

WR Sam Bruce (St. Thomas Aquinas)

DL Brian Burns (American Heritage)

LB Devin Bush, Jr. (Flanagan)

DL Keyshon Camp (Lake Gibson)

CB Dontye Carriere-Williams (Booker T. Washington)

WR TJ Chase (IMG Academy)

S Jamel Cook (Miami Central)

WR Nate Craig (Tampa Catholic)

TE Nick Eubanks (American Heritage)

ATH Chauncey Gardner (Cocoa)

DL Joseph Jackson (Gulliver Prep)

OL Baveon Johnson (Lake Gibson)

DL Shavar Manuel (Blake)

RB Deon McIntosh (Cardinal Gibbons)

CB Trayvon Mullen (Coconut Creek)

WR Dionte Mullins (Gulliver Prep)

LB Michael Pinckney (Raines)

WR Freddie Pinder (Southridge)

LB Shaquille Quarterman (Oakleaf)

WR Ahmmon Richards (Wellington)

WR Cavin Ridley (Monarch)

CB Saivion Smith (IMG Academy)

WR Dredrick Snelson (American Heritage)

S Devin Studstill (Palm Beach Gardens)

RB Tyrek Tisdale (Oak Ridge)

WR Binjimen Victor (Coconut Creek)

S Cedrick Wright (Gulliver Prep)

ATH Malek Young (Coconut Creek)

2017

ATH Juwan Burgess (Blake)

RB Robert Burns (Gulliver Prep)

CB Brian Edwards (Miramar)

WR Kemore Gamble (Coral Gables)

WR Emmanuel Greene (Coconut Creek)

WR Leroy Henley (Cardinal Gibbons)

WR Jerry Jeudy (Monarch)

CB Stanford Samuels III (Flanagan)

S Daniel Wright (Cardinal Gibbons)

[Go Canes]

Ohio, I think the list of prospects NOT coming may be shorter!

[CaneRock]

"Why let facts get in the way"?

The game was in Boston, not LA...fact.

[Go Canes]

They'll start with eight in the box.

@osfsu: Force Kaaya to beat you, that's the name of the game for FSU. Miami has complete faith that Kaaya can do it. We'll see.

[Ohio_Cane]

They'll start with eight in the box.

@osfsu: Force Kaaya to beat you, that's the name of the game for FSU. Miami has complete faith that Kaaya can do it. We'll see.

Posted by: Go Canes | November 14, 2014 at 09:59 AM
-----------------------------------------

And Kaaya will check to a play action deep to Coley or Dorsett for 6 on the first play of the game.

Let em load the box with 8. Kaaya will set records.

[CaneRock]

And Kaaya will check to a play action deep to Coley or Dorsett for 6 on the first play of the game.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | November 14, 2014 at 10:16 AM

If it's one game that Coley needs to start stepping up, it's THIS ONE!

[Lurker]

"Why let facts get in the way"?

The game was in Boston, not LA...fact.

Posted by: CaneRock | November 14, 2014 at 09:51 AM

Makes no difference. It's BC. Fact.

[CaneRock]

But I think UM continues what they've been doing the last 3 games...double TEs, run between the tackles, and make timely throws. I think Walford and/or Flowers can hold their own with Edwards, but that Goldman kid is just a freakin' load.

[CaneRock]

LMAO! Can the Goldenites agree that they're not gonna change anybody's mind about Golden?...that Golden has to do that? Ya'll just sound silly (and funny) with your little drive-bys...stop it LMAO!

[Go Canes]

I have zero desire to change anyone's mind.

But saying USC is somehow doing more with less than us is a completely false statement, backed with statistics and facts.

I know those mean nothing to some.

[CaneRock]

^^^^^^^^^LOL.

[30CINCO]

FSpoo's POV:

Florida State football: Miami preview and prediction:

"Miami's defense is a multiple 3-4 look with a ton of experience -- 10 of 11 starters are upperclassmen, and many of the reserves as well. As a result, Miami has managed to remedy its problems of years past, as the Hurricanes are now 11th in stopping explosive drives, a huge improvement over ranking 66th in 2013 and 62nd in 2012. Miami does this by keeping a safety very deep over the top to deny the deep ball, and by being more comfortable in the system thanks to experience, which has resulted in far fewer blown assignments. Other measures back this up, as well.

The strength is big-play prevention; the Hurricanes rank fourth in IsoPPP, which measures the magnitude of an opponent's successful plays. Basically, the Hurricanes allow smaller big plays than almost anybody else.

...

Golden stuck with defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio despite iffy years, and it appears to be paying off. And defensive experience is finally not a weakness. Of the 26 players on Miami's two-deep, six are seniors and 11 are juniors."

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2014/11/14/7186893/florida-state-football-miami-preview-prediction

[UpNorthCane27]

Guys for the next two days lets not go back and fourth and beat on the same old dead horse.

We need to focus our energy and positive vibes on the U. I'm not the type to say this is a must win, or that it's do or die, but i truly believe that this game will have a big impact on the future and direction of this program.

with all that said and done, LEGOOOOOOOOO KICK SOME MUTHAPHUCKING ASS!!!!!!!

[30CINCO]

Posted by: UpNorthCane | November 14, 2014 at 11:23 AM
-----------------------------------------------------
Been talking a lot of trash this week with a few FSpoo co-workers.

MUST WIN INDEED!! lol!

[UpNorthCane27]

True story fellas...

I had an apartment for rent, a guy and his girlfriend came by to take a look at it. Everything was going well, he said he was a football coach, so i asked him who do you like in college and he said "FSU" and i said "WHO?". Once i finished showing him the apartment and he filled out his application i gave them a nice wave goodbye, ran upstairs and tore that application to shyt!!!!

GTFO here with your seminole ass, this is a family home goddamitt!!!

[CaneRock]

Guys for the next two days lets not go back and fourth and beat on the same old dead horse.

Posted by: UpNorthCane | November 14, 2014 at 11:23 AM

IKR. NOBODY'S changing ANYBODY'S mind on here as far as Golden is concerned, so let's just sit back,relax, and enjoy the game tomorrow night.

[Go Canes]

Well deserved. Not overly powerful but he's been very precise.

@ByTimReynolds: Miami's Justin Vogel is a Ray Guy Award semifinalist.

[WWIN]

Don't go riding the Golden high horse yet!

This is the game where we'll see what he's made of. And don't start hyping up all this fsu is a great team stuff! Mediocre teams have given them the business this year and they're not the same team from last year.

This is a game that we SHOULD WIN!

[Ohio_Cane]

LMFAO @ Upnorth!!

[WWIN]

Posted by: UpNorthCane | November 14, 2014 at 11:33 AM

I'm sorry but I woulda took that fsu money! If anything I woulda raised the rent up lol.

Never let hate come between you and yo paper!!!! Lol

[UpNorthCane27]

WWIM hate will never get between me and my paper homie, but that couple wasn't the only one interested in the apartment mayne. And ill be dammed if i was gonna have a goddammnnnn seminole renting the apartment.

And to answer your idea of raising the rent, i would probably have to deal with payments not being amde on time and people squatting at my house... CHILLLL IM GOODDDD

[BigWindyCane1]

They'll start with eight in the box.

@osfsu: Force Kaaya to beat you, that's the name of the game for FSU. Miami has complete faith that Kaaya can do it. We'll see.

Posted by: Go Canes | November 14, 2014 at 09:59 AM
-----------------------------------------

But I think UM continues what they've been doing the last 3 games...double TEs, run between the tackles, and make timely throws. I think Walford and/or Flowers can hold their own with Edwards, but that Goldman kid is just a freakin' load.

Posted by: CaneRock | November 14, 2014 at 10:34 AM

I agree with CaneRock. I would like to see them mix up the run and keep them off-balance with the run as they have done the last few games. For example, running from under center, running out of the shotgun, running stretch right and left, sweeps, off-tackle, from shotgun, from wildcat with Duke at QB, etc.

Kaaya and the Canes are best when Kaaya makes 20-25 throws and the Canes run the ball more than 40+ times, control the clock, rest the D and make timely big plays on offense. Keeping turnovers to a minimum is also important when you play against a very talented defense like FSU's. When you run successfully, the big plays in the passing game will be there.

Duke and his OL are on a roll. It seems they have found a rythm. The return of Flowers is huge (no pun intended). If the Canes run 40+ times they Willl win this game convincingly. I am confident of that.

[Go Canes]

@CollegeGameDay: Can Miami (FL) snap another Seminoles' winning streak? #FSUvsMIA http://t.co/rokRHVTxxB

[j.w.]

Tannehill could have easily run for first down. Instead, he throws a shltty pass. His decision making and intellect have always been suspect.

Posted by: Lurker | November 13, 2014 at 09:36 PM
Lurker, I thought the same thing when that play happened. Not terribly bright I suspect.

[j.w.]

WWIM- I wouldn't go as far as to say we should win. We could win, we can win, etc. but we are not the favorite by any means. My heart says we win, but my head tells me something very different. My gut isn't sure.

[CaneRock]

If the Canes run 40+ times they Willl win this game convincingly. I am confident of that.

Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | November 14, 2014 at 12:10 PM

I agree. And besides Duke's performances running the ball, His blitz pick-up have been just as good, or even better. Another guy that doesn't get credit for His blocking, is Tucker...I was worried about that FB spot when Mo graduated, but Tucker has filled in nicely.

[Ohio_Cane]

If we keep their O off the field, we win convincingly.

That means running the ball well and a lot, keeping chains moving on 3rd down, and scoring TD's instead of FG's

[Ohio_Cane]

^^^ Oh, and NO TURNOVERS!

[Go Canes]

Been saying it all season, but it's never been more important than in tomorrow's game.

We must win third down on both sides of the ball to have any chance to take this game.

We cannot have multiple/consecutive stalled drives on offense and expect to compete. In my opinion we should be able to run the ball, but that mail also lead to a lot of third downs.

Convert a majority of those we win, fail on those we lose.

[Go Canes]

Ohio_Cane
^^^ Oh, and NO TURNOVERS!

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | November 14, 2014 at 01:42 PM

This too!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Connor Ennis ‏@EnnisNYT 10m10 minutes ago

Fla. St. football player involved in hit and run crash that was reduced to two traffic tickets http://nyti.ms/1x1XE4Q

[Ohio_Cane]

StateOfTheU.com ‏@TheStateOfTheU 4s4 seconds ago

Sportscenter talking about #Canes-#Noles now. Al Golden is about to talk. Turn to ESPN RIGHT NOW.

[laquinton]

Win the battle upfront. That's all. Go canes.

[Ohio_Cane]

StateOfTheU.com ‏@TheStateOfTheU 14s15 seconds ago

Golden: We're playing with confidence, we're playing together, and we're playing well in all 3 phases.

[Ohio_Cane]

StateOfTheU.com ‏@TheStateOfTheU now

Golden: "I don't' see the average very much" when asked about Winston. "He provides a great challenge for us."

[Ohio_Cane]

StateOfTheU.com ‏@TheStateOfTheU now5 seconds ago

Golden being asked about Brad Kaaya now.