Orlando Welcomes Miami

Although the 2016 Russell Athletic Bowl will not take place on Christmas, the University of Miami football team would certainly have no problem waiting a few extra days for the team’s biggest Christmas wish of all – a bowl win.

On Christmas Eve, the Hurricanes returned to the practice field for the first time since Thursday as they began their final days of bowl game preparation for their matchup against West Virginia.

Miami is holding its bowl practices at Celebration High School, a location head coach Mark Richt is very familiar with in his previous bowl visits to Orlando.

“Great facility, great people at Celebration High School,” Richt said. “I was here one of those years with Georgia, we came here as well. They really made a lot of great improvements. Just to be able to practice on the field turf field makes a lot of sense since the game is going to be on one.”

Richt certainly knows what it takes to be successful in bowl games, as he owns a 9-5 career record in bowl games with his five losses coming by seven points-or-fewer. 

Following practice on Saturday, the first-year Miami head coach was pleased with the team’s mindset following a travel day.

“I thought the guys came back with a good attitude,” Richt said. “I say ‘came back’, but we only had one day off. But when you travel, and you change the venue and you change the practice field and you change where you meet, all those things are a little bit different. I thought the focus was good.”

For junior defensive lineman Trent Harris, Miami’s trip to Orlando is a homecoming of sorts for the Winterpark, Fla., native. 

“It’s awesome,” Harris said. “I’m about to meet with my family in a couple minutes. It’s awesome to be able to play football and be around my family at the same time.”

Harris, who played in all 12 games for the Hurricanes this season and posted 9.5 tackles for loss, will have plenty of family members in Orlando during bowl week. During his post practice media session, Harris thanked his teammates for giving up their game tickets, so he could give them to his family. 

“A lot of teammates were generous and gave them to me. I have a lot of family, pretty much my whole family is here. My mom and dad both have four brothers each, so I have a lot of family down here. It’s been pretty crazy, but I think I have enough.”

Despite being near many of his family members, Harris has remained focused on preparing for West Virginia.

“We have practice in the morning, so I’m going to be focused on football all though the morning. But we have some free time after that so I think I’m going to be able to go home and open presents with my family for the first time in three years. That should be exciting.”

This week’s bowl festivities are the first for several Miami student-athletes, including freshman Shaquille Quarterman, who had no problem voicing his excitement in Orlando during his post-practice media session.

“Russell [Athletic Bowl] has done an extremely good job with us and they’re treating us like we’re somebody special,” Quarterman said. “It’s going really well. I am looking forward to all the events. The Best Buy thing was pretty cool and the hotel is as nice as any hotel I’ve ever been to.”

 

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Comments

[VA Cane]

Rohan and ST!!!! Go Canes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[1mg of Epi]

Dammit va

[1mg of Epi]

Posted by: VA Cane | December 26, 2016 at 02:23 PM

I'm all for having as many bowl games as possible! The college season is too short as it is, and it doesn't get any better than watching games all day during the week.

[VA Cane]

While I love this game, I hate seeing a lot of bad football. I watch some....then I get that coaching fervor and wish i could teach some of these teams good football. I guess tolerance is the answer Birthday Brother!!!!!

[Herbieibis]

Love bowl season, love college football period but I can't get into watching second rate teams. Also don't believe teams should be rewarded for a five hundred or less. I don't want to be rewarded for being mediocre. I get the fact that it gives u 15 extra practices plus the money but most teams spend more than make..
I'm for an 8 team play off. 20 bowl games is plenty.

[Herbieibis]

Pretty sad when u look at the Florida top 100 and Alabama has 5 of the top 25 players and Osu has 3. Hell Texas A&M has 2 maybe 3. Da U has one. This ain't getting us over the top.

[VA Cane]

Agreed...you have to get these kids to stay in FL...you wont get them all but nice to get some at the U...and get other states kids like we use to do. That recruiting ability....HS, JJ, Erickson and Butch staffs had it....plus the great brand name....Clappy, Onion, AlPa flushed the brand name down the toilet...along with the program.

Two things concern me; Richts passive Offense that needs to be dynamic...he found that out and changed that, but it still has miles to go.

Two; can the guy recruit elite talent. Dont remember any elite talent at GA...Stafford was his best developed player.He has 35 or so in the NFL, which is pretty good. He never was in a race for a NC....thats what we want. To be fair, he will need several rounds of recruiting to get where he wants...will he? Not by letting the Brand names....(we are a brand.....kind of like Great Value at Walmart....not Gucci or Calvin Klein) get the best kids.

He can change the offense now...this bowl game would be nice to see us attack instead of run run run punt...he stepped that up.
Recruiting will take longer to improve....time will tell the results. While we had a better year, 8-4 for the next 5 years will not work here. JMO

[TonyCane]

Love bowl season, love college football period but I can't get into watching second rate teams. Also don't believe teams should be rewarded for a five hundred or less. I don't want to be rewarded for being mediocre. I get the fact that it gives u 15 extra practices plus the money but most teams spend more than make..
I'm for an 8 team play off. 20 bowl games is plenty.

Posted by: Herbieibis | December 26, 2016 at 04:59 PM

It's in some respects good for the players. They can legitimately be rewarded for playing in the bowls. It's not much, but it beats the nothing that they otherwise receive (outside of scholarships and SEC bagmen).

[TonyCane]

Pretty sad when u look at the Florida top 100 and Alabama has 5 of the top 25 players and Osu has 3. Hell Texas A&M has 2 maybe 3. Da U has one. This ain't getting us over the top.

Posted by: Herbieibis | December 26, 2016 at 05:23 PM

You can't really expect Alabama to have any less at this point. Right now Saban has constructed a machine the likes that college football has never seen before. If Saban was ten years younger, it would be realistic to expect the Crimson Tide to win no less than seven of the next ten national championships. What Saban has going right now is a perpetual motion NC-producing NFL factory - the equivalent of the New England Patriots with the benefits of fifteen first round draft choices each year.

The only saving grace is scholarship limits. If not, I'd be surprised if Saban did not have all 25 players locked up.

[1mg of Epi]

Pretty sad when u look at the Florida top 100 and Alabama has 5 of the top 25 players and Osu has 3. Hell Texas A&M has 2 maybe 3. Da U has one. This ain't getting us over the top.

Posted by: Herbieibis | December 26, 2016 at 05:23 PM

Maybe When the staff no longer takes 4 losses to make a Simple change we can expect recruiting to pickup

[Danny Kanell(casual commentator)]

I'll be at the RAB.

[AlPa (casual coach)]

I will be at the bowl; I will help with TEs and my half brother NoDPa will help Manny get the D back on course....in a 3/4 with corners off the WRs bt 20 yards!!!

[AlPa (casual coach)]

by 20 yards.....Clappy and Onionhead will help with the O and D from the booth just to be sure we have everything covered!!!

[AlPa (casual coach)]

.....and I heard CGNCPa will help coordinate it all from the sidelines!!!

[Ghost of Christmas Past]

Mullens is actually a pretty good coach.
Posted by: CaneRock | December 26, 2016 at 420

Thanks Canerock much appreciated but if I stick around "The Space" you'll have full comprehension as to why I am not worth to fucks.

Posted by: Dan Mullen | December 26, 2016 at 05:48 PM

Dan Mullen
I am not worth to fucks.

Posted by: Dan Mullen | December 26, 2016

As I was saying.

Posted by: Dan Mullen | December 26, 2016 at 05:49 PM

Dan Mullen
Wasn't my 1st choice for the UM job, but I wouldn't have been mad if we hired em'.

Posted by: CaneRock | December 26, 2016 at 04:20

And the U definitely wasn't mine, just trying to get more money for being average just like Al.

However, Albert was the better shit shoveler and they (BOD) knew it at the time. With the investigation about to happen they had no choice to hire him none of us really wanted the job and Temple read the writing on the wall when he was 0-fer against Coach Solich and whomever W.Michigan had coaching. If you got the dime I got the time to tell you stories of the great $EC.

Posted by: Dan Mullen | December 26, 2016 at 06:09 PM

Surprised He hasn't gotten a serious look from bigger programs.

Posted by: CaneRock | December 26, 2016 agai at 420

Does the name Cam Newton ring a bell?

Posted by: Dan Mullen | December 26, 2016 at 06:10 PM

Dan Mullen(Casual Coach)
Does the name Dal Presscot ring a bell?

Posted by: Dan Mullen(Casual Coach) | December 26, 2016 at 06:13 PM

Found this nugget from the last blog

[VA Cane]

Well we made 3 good hires at first, then we made 3 of the worst hires ever with the last 3 guys; terrible head coaches. We will see how CMR will do; it will take a bit to really be able to tell. Off to a good start in some areas, lot of work to be done i think. We will see.

[Harry Miller]

Happy Birthday Soup.

[BigWindyCane1]

An ACC team, NC State beat Vandy, an SEC team, by a pretty big margin in their bowl game today. The Canes beat a pretty good Wolfpack team at the end of the season, and this should help Canes strength of schedule. The Canes team that finished the season was a pretty good team, and they are building momentum toward this bowl game, national signing day and next season

[BigWindyCane1]

Though West Virginia has the better record (10-2) and is ranked 14th by the Associated Press (and 16th by the College Football Playoff committee), Greg McElroy isn’t surprised unranked Miami (8-4) is a slight favorite (2.5 points, as of Monday).

“As average as Miami’s been, their talent is still among the elite,” [Greg McElroy] said. “If you look at their bodies, guys along the defensive line, their quarterback is a marginal first-round pick, possibly — from a talent standpoint, they’re pretty outstanding. That doesn’t surprise me, given the perception of the Big 12 nationally, and how strong Miami has been when they’ve played their best ball.”

[VA Cane]

Nice compliments from GM.....a little heavy handed, a little too nice.....I do not buy elite talent...elite talent is not playing in a little bowl game...they are playing 12/31/2016....

[Dan Mullen]

They mentioned me on Monday night football.

[VA Cane]

Yes they did Dan.....

Dak Prescott is a pretty decent QB...quiet, unassuming, leader, calm.....great kid who will do well as a player...very good young man and player.

I never had a problem with Dallas...in the 60s and 70s they were great. 80s...not so good. Under JJ you respected them, loved JJ. BUT.....I rarely hate....wrong so I wont....I despise Jerry Jones....he is a complete idiot. I heard Perv Berman say him and Jimmy were legends....JJ is beloved by us...and others...who likes Jerry Jones? Nobody....you have to despise him even if you like the Boys. He is up for NFLHOF for non player? really? for being a horses butt. Business? yes! Football....an idiot!!!!

Player wise......I despise attitude people...Dez Bryant...yelling at teammates, coaches, a jerk... and he is good....but not great at all...why? his attitude plays when he feels like it.... The other 88....our boy MI....the only 88 that matters....he was the Playmaker...might have had some issues...but on the field...he was all biz. Dez is a jerk

Elliott....that feed me crap is ego BS. Fine back....but get rid of the feed me crap. Jumping in the SA bowl....showboat....other guys get fined....not him...cute...per league. Still a penalty. He went to OSU...so thats bad...but once told Urban they lost because he did not get the ball...Now Urban is not a fav....but a very good coach....you do not disrespect your coach....ever!!
So as many good players and people on the Cowboys.....so many of them are good and good people...
Dez Elliot and the King of Jerks Jerry make you want them to lose.
JMO

[VA Cane]

Dallas will be tough....Green Bay...possibly Seattle may be able to beat them....they are a good team.
AFC...hard to bet against The Pats....they are the best team....can Pittsburgh stop them on D....their DBs...our Artie....are young....could be a great game...

[SOUP]

Happy Birthday Soup.

Posted by: Harry Miller | December 26, 2016 at 09:41 PM

Thank U Sir!

[Go Canes!]

Bib, big money:

http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/how-alabama-clemson-ohio-state-washington-make-and-spend-their-money/

[Go Canes!]

Well this certainly isn't good news:

West Virginia wide receiver Michael Harley (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) said he's shut down his recruitment, as first-reported by 247Sports.

Harley was slated to officially visit Miami January 13 and Florida January 27.

He will now only officially visit West Virginia January 20.

"I know that's where I want to go," Harley said. "I've always known that. I want to save face and not be one of these guys that say they're committed but they truly aren't. I don't want to worry (Mountaineers running backs coach JaJuan Seider)."

Seider offered Harley first.

"Coach Seider is family," Harley said. "I'm a great fit in their offense."

Harley will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl next week. He plans to enroll at West Virginia this summer.

He originally verbally committed to the Mountaineers June 26.

The three-star recruit is ranked as the nation's No. 48 wide receiver and the No. 50 prospect in Florida in the 2017 class by 247SportsComposite.

As a senior, Harley caught 29 balls for 441 yards and eight touchdowns.

[raizecane]

Cant wait to attend the bowl game with my fellow canespacers.....

[SinisterCane]

Our Nole' double agent receiving coach can't recruit

[CaneRock]

"I want to save face"...smh...phuck yo' face.

[CaneRock]

Our Nole' double agent receiving coach can't recruit

Posted by: SinisterCane | December 27, 2016 at 10:42 AM

Neither can Michael Irvin...what good is He?

[CaneRock]

But I wouldn't say Dugans can't recruit. He got some good classes at Louisville, and we got a pretty good haul this year. Hopefully He makes up for it next year.

[mi@mic@ne]

The old motto of a Cane is equivalent in this day and age ...should be Im a Cane not a 5 star...the 5 star will get you to another team but can only be family at the U. Its time to start the education from the mighty mites

[Go Canes!]

Will be interesting to see how that kid feels if we beat the snot out of WVU convincingly.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Is there some kind of cloud I'm not aware of with Richt?

VA, I dont think the hires were necissarily the reason we havent won the Coastal though. To me thats on the administration letting the coaches put them over the barrel and giving coaches the opportunities to ruin their business. The U admin is probably the worst run admin among so called football schools.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

McElroy is spot on about Kaaya:

McElroy is excited to watch Hurricanes running back Mark Walton, whom he called “the most underrated player in the country. I really believe that. He’s really good.” McElroy was impressed that Miami has been able to keep Walton’s workload down; he averages 16 carries a game.

Incidentally, Walton’s season-high (24) came in a game McElroy worked (North Carolina-Miami on Oct. 15). McElroy also manned the mic for Miami’s game at Appalachian State on Sept. 17 and West Virginia’s 34-10 win over TCU on Oct. 22.

More McElroy on Miami:

“I think Walton is fantastic,” he said. “I think David Njoku is fantastic. I think he’s as good a tight end as you’ll find in college football, when it comes to putting stress on a defense in the passing game. I really like Brad Kaaya, but he’s inconsistent. His best is as good as anybody, but his worst is below where he should be. He’s not as consistent as I’d like; he’ll get that sorted out if he comes back, which I’d recommend.

“If he plays like he did at Pitt and Duke, no doubt he’s a first-round pick. If he plays like he did earlier in the year when he was inconsistent, he looks very average.”

[Herbieibis]

Well back to the drawing board with wr recruiting. Let's see, the one area besides cb that we really need to be stacking up and we've got 2,, wonderious! It's either back to IHOP and start flipping or plan C because the plan b's are rejecting us. Same story just a different position.

[Go Canes!]

He is definitely spot on with that assessment. Kaaya's definitely not NFL ready.

Looks like he is definitely going to go, which is a big mistake imo...

[tjl3909]

I guess they take the golden domer transfer

[Old Skool]

Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) RIP

[CGNC]

.....and I heard CGNCPa will help coordinate it all from the sidelines!!!

Posted by: AlPa (casual coach) | December 26, 2016 at 07:12 PM

False LOL!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Wow! Carrie Fisher! May the force be with her. Just saw Rogue One.

[1mg of Epi]

Not surprising we have one wr commit when u look at the offense. Even when it wasn't so bad, it wasn't too good.

[VA Cane]

C'mon CGNCPa help the cause....thought you would get a laugh out of that!!!! Help AlPa and NoDPA out!!!

[WWIN]

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 27, 2016 at 03:49 PM

Who's woulda thought that 3* WR's don't like run blocking??? 4* and 5*'s LOVE it!

[TruCane81]

Make Pitt game the base O from game one and they would line up to play in that offense.

[BigWindyCane1]

Another mediocre ACC team, Wake Forest, beating 24 ranked Temple.

[BigWindyCane1]

Wake Forest 31, Temple 7, with 3:00 left in first half

[TJL]

Just saw Syracuse is our other crossover game next year (home game)
Would they allow Gus Edwards to transfer there and have him play against us?

[nemo2002]

Just saw Syracuse is our other crossover game next year (home game)
Would they allow Gus Edwards to transfer there and have him play against us?

Posted by: TJL | December 27, 2016 at 05:10 PM

I could be wrong. However, as a graduate student, I think he can transfer to any other school. UM can't stop him. (But again, I don't know for sure).
Regardless, I hope he stays!

[nemo2002]

Gus graduated, didn't he?

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Anyone notice how UGA's recruiting has exploded since Richt left?

Miami can not let Richt or any HC have full autonomy on coaches. If they cant recruit, if they cant coach, they have to go.

[nemo2002]

Gus graduated, didn't he?

Posted by: nemo2002 | December 27, 2016 at 05:22 PM

Or, perhaps, he graduates in May 2017.

[nemo2002]

Anyone notice how UGA's recruiting has exploded since Richt left?

Miami can not let Richt or any HC have full autonomy on coaches. If they cant recruit, if they cant coach, they have to go.

Posted by: The Dude | December 27, 2016 at 05:23 PM
Yes and yes. Moreover, . . .
If we lose the bowl game, the honeymoon is officially OVA for Coach Richt.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

^^^ Absolutely!

[1mg of Epi]

That 4 game losing skid ended the honeymoon more me.

He hasn't been impressive at all. Not in recruiting and not in coaching. Of all the ACC hires, ours hasn't measured up thus far.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

I think the ND loss killed it for me.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Could have been the UNC loss first though.

[VA Cane]

Dude,

we think alike!!! I was just looking at that....TOP guys going to UGA....Kirby and Co...including Frank Beamers son who is TE coach.....are hitting it.....thats kind of embarrassing to us. I know it is the first year for him really to recruit....but they better get on it soon, need to get moving on the elite guys.

I know the administration was poor bad ADs....bad Pres..but those 3 coaches were pretty bad as well....Clappy, Onion, and AlPa won about 65%, HS, JJ, DE and Butch won about 80% that is a big difference...Al had restrictions, Butch had them...and they were worse. Clappy let it slide..but RS and Al lost most of the games since clappy took over. I am certain that all 3 were terrible HC...Clap was good OC RS was good DC....AlPa was terrible HC, terrible coach, terrible judge of staff...AlPa was a hand job with a glove....all fake BS!!!!!

[VA Cane]

We have been lost in the wilderness for a long long time...I need a machete to get out...its dense....hope it will improve this year...I am disappointed but I will at least give CMR 1 cycle to see how things improve in 2017....they have to get better...I think...or hope!!!!

Win the bowl!!!!

[CGNC]

Posted by: VA Cane | December 27, 2016 at 04:04 PM

I did get a kick out of htat. But AlPA and NoDPa are beyond help...LOL

[CGNC]

^^that

[TJL]

Robert Burns pulled out of the under armor game due to an injury-
geez this kid has been hurt for two years and is are only commited running back

[Dan Mullen]

Posted by: VA Cane | December 27, 2016 at
Beer Thirty

I'll have what he's having tonight

[CGNC]

DeeJay Dallas ✔ @13kDeejay
I plan on being in
Atlanta in 2018 💍🏆🏈
Santa Clara in 2019💍🏆🏈
New Orleans in 2020💍🏆🏈#GoCanes🙌🏾
11:56 PM - 21 Dec 2016 · Dock Junction, GA

Deonte DJ Johnson @King_DJ01
It will be done 💯🙌🏾😈
12:11 AM - 22 Dec 2016

Here you go....the recruits aren't worried LOL

[VA Cane]

Dan,

lot of coffee today....trying to work some, 2 really bad appraisals on repossessed govt homes by the VA.....they are ugly bad and hard to estimate the value on....but its $ coming in...i will be glad when I can walk this broken ankle slows me down been down about 7.5 weeks...hope walk end of Jan if lucky...seems to be healing fairly well!!

[Go Canes!]

Day before our bowl game and the sky is falling again for God knows what reason.

Smh...

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: CGNC | December 27, 2016 at 07:36 PM

In that case I'll start booking flights and hotels.

[VA Cane]

We just have to wait and see what happens...8-4 not what I want....but things were much better than with AlPa....we got better and...and with the extra practices, good new kids, growth of young guys, and some better O planning, we can have a better year...glass is half full....will get better. I try to be honest, but hope for the best ad have a little patience.

[roachcane77]

Happy Birthday SOUP!

Let's get a RAB win and some 5 star recruits to celebrate!

[VA Cane]

Go are you going to the bowl game? If so drink a cold beer for me, and pull the Canes through to victory!!!!!

[1mg of Epi]

Sky isn't falling. Just is what it is.

[BigWindyCane1]

CMR is doing a decent job and I am pleased to be where we are - 8-4 going into a bowl game against a ranked opponent. The 8 wins were all by 14 or more points, and the defense was much improved. Previous teams faded late in games. Under CMR, the fourth quarter became the Canes strongest quarter, unlike the AlPa and Swasey regimes.

Things are moving in an upward trajectory. Even though the Canes could have won 1-2 of those close losses, overall CMR has improved this team dramatically and he is doing a great job so far in year 1.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 27, 2016 at 09:50 PM

You must not read the news.

[Herbieibis]

No doubt we are better than we were record wise than last year but we still are losing to the so called better teams, our recruiting is about the same, loaded with a bunch of 3 star players and 5 or 6 four star players. We are still losing games we shouldn't be losing and the play calling is blah.
Unless there are some stud wr's left to be had that I don't know about things are not going to be better at that position. We need some help their and cb. Winning the bowl game is a must and I'm not talking about squeaking by, I'm talking about blowing by those hillbillies and that still may not help. Not much left of quality that are considering us.

[raizecane]

Go are you going to the bowl game? If so drink a cold beer for me, and pull the Canes through to victory!!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | December 27, 2016 at 09:25 P

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

Me, Soup, KYCane and Canezilla are attending and got you
covered...

[VA Cane]

I would agree Big W,

8-4 is better than AlPa it felt good...and with a break...or little different attack...could have been better....but 8-4 first year is acceptable...improved. facilities better, diet better, attitudes better, D way better, Frosh were very strong and impressive. He really did not recruit this class...just for a pinch...and they did pretty good. So beat WVA....and impress some kids, close on them....and keep working get the O dynamic...and I think we can have a better year next year. Its a work that is shaping up.

[VA Cane]

Raise some hell Raize......That sounds like the Fearsome Foursome to me....cheer our boys on and have a blast!!!!

[SOUP]

1. That sounds like the Fearsome Foursome to me

2. Cheer our boys on and have a blast!!!

Posted by: VA Cane | December 27, 2016 at 10:42 PM

1. U have no idea.

2. We will do that.

We are actually going to the game with two WVU fans so that should be fun!

[BEERicane]

Kaaya gone? Hell MFing yes!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: Herbieibis | December 27, 2016 at 10:29 PM

From Miami? No. This coaching staff completely whiffed in America's most fertile recruiting grounds for WRs. I saw something that said to keep an eye on Jeff Thomas from IL. He's a burner.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Kaaya gone? Hell MFing yes!

Posted by: BEERicane | December 27, 2016 at 11:05 PM

He falls no farther than 2nd round to 49ers.

[Go Canes!]

It's game day!!!

Cant wait to see our boys back in action today!

TD, Grimes from St Thomas is actually from Indianapolis and was an Ohio State commit from before the season started. Jeudy said he has been recruited to Alabama since the 9th grade.

Those two dudes were going to be very tough to flop.

The other St. Thomas kid is the only one we whiffed on and the real head scratcher. From Dingle on down the rest really didn't seem like UM material. Worse than taking no one is taking someone not good enough.

The rest of this class is solid and is consensus Top 10-15.

Need to add an O-lineman or two and pull another WR. Let's see what this staff can put together down the stretch.

[UMike]

ORLANDO

For those who consider most bowl games meaningless, dare to tune in to the Russell Athletic Bowl at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Camping World Stadium (ESPN).

All-time University of Miami passer Brad Kaaya, who Hurricanes fans might be watching for the last time in college, knows otherwise.

Gifted tight end David Njoku, who Canes fans likely will be watching for the last time in college, knows otherwise.

Mark Richt, who was fired by Georgia last year after one of the most illustrious coaching careers in college football, knows otherwise.

And nearly 20 seniors, some of whom have rarely touched the field and others bruised and battered through probation, frustration and a mediocre era of UM football, know otherwise.

To the unranked Hurricanes (8-4), the Russell Athletic Bowl against No. 14 West Virginia (10-2) is their biggest bowl in 10 years – because that’s how long it’s been since they’ve won one.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article123225789.html#storylink=cpy

[UMike]

The Miami Hurricanes' veteran offensive lineman, Kc McDermott, put it perfectly this week, maybe without meaning to, when asked why winning Wednesday's bowl game was important.

“It would give everybody a sense that Miami is coming back,” he said.

Not a declaration, mind you. Not proof of any size. A sense, that's all. An indication. A small peg on the wall to hang your hopes on.

For this program, right now, that's enough..

So Wednesday, easy to lose in the midst of the glut of bowl games, the Canes try to take that essential, elusive step. The attempt will happen in Orlando vs. West Virginia, in a medium-sized bowl, in a game easy to overlook.

It will happen with the Canes cast in the shadow this week of Miami's bigger Orange Bowl game between Florida State and Michigan on Friday night, and relegated to a South Florida football afterthought to the Miami Dolphins, who are hosting the New England Patriots on Sunday and then readying for their first NFL playoff game in eight years.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/greg-cote/article123181319.html#storylink=cpy

[UMike]

Dont think there is any way to spin it, CMR whiffed at the WR position locally. Still a solid class, but not the type of class that is going to make you an elite program IMO.

The one big difference I see, which I like, is that CMR isnt filling up the class with reaches/projects for the sake of filling a class... at least not yet.

No one claimed the sky is falling, but the ugly 4 game skid is reality, whiffing on WR locally is reality. It doesnt mean CMR wont get us back in the top 5-10, but speaking about the reality of the program isnt "the sky is falling" talk, just the truth.

[UMike]

“We got Brad, we got Stacy too
Y’all watch film, I know you seen that boy 82″

That’s part of Chad Thomas‘ rap to West Virginia players, after he took the stage at the Russell Athletic Bowl pregame luncheon Tuesday. The event, held for paying customers, together the teams for a town-hall chat with the coaches and a brief talent show. When Miami was here in 2013, linebacker Jimmy Gaines sang a rendition of “Stand By Me.”

This was not that.

Watch as Thomas did nothing to cool the newfound heat between the two sides, rapping about how there “ain’t no stopping” the Hurricanes.

Can’t see the video? Click here to view on Facebook

After the luncheon let out, the sides exited through separate ballroom doors and into a large hallway. West Virginia players got loud and rowdy, and chanted “two shots.” A few players threw up Miami’s familiar ‘U’ hand sign, and turned it down, as Miami players watched from down the hall.

In a press conference earlier Tuesday, West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen was asked about the words exchanged at the charity event Monday.

“That is football,” he said. “It happens. So, we had a great time yesterday. It was a special place. Any time you get two football teams together, there are going to be some things. So it is going to get chippy, that is just the way it is.

“Pregame is going to get chippy. I am going to guarantee you that. I think both teams understand that and are going to behave themselves and not do anything illegal. But trash talk, that pretty much happens every single game, so it is not surprising to me.”

Mark Richt said he’s not big into trash talk, but said he wants his players with energy — as long as they don’t cost the team with penalties.

http://caneswatch.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2016/12/27/video-miami-hurricanes-chad-thomas-raps-a-message-to-west-virginia/

[UMike]

“Pregame is going to get chippy. I am going to guarantee you that. I think both teams understand that and are going to behave themselves and not do anything illegal. But trash talk, that pretty much happens every single game, so it is not surprising to me.”

^^^ Sounds like a Miami Coach

[CaneRock]

We've been whiffin' at WR since the 08' class.

[UMike]

We've been whiffin' at WR since the 08' class.

Posted by: CaneRock | December 28, 2016 at 08:18 AM

Yea..but we signed A LOT that year

[Go Canes!]

Jeudy and the kid from St Thomas are the result of 3-4 years of meticulous, constant recruiting, relationship building and elite level winning coming to fruition.

You can characterize it as a whiff if you like, but thats the same lazy mindset that blames Kaaya for everything wrong with the Canes.

This isn't 1998-1999 anymore. Every kid has a twitter, hudl and multiple 7 on 7 exposures to help sell themselves. Every single game is on TV and players aren't worried about being seen by family or going away nearly as much anymore. Every year they've seen older teammates and other local players do it and succeed.

CMR has got to continue cementing relationships with 9th and 10th graders and their coaches while increasing the win column if he's going to succeed here long term.

We'll see if he can do that.

[CaneRock]

UMike, a lot of those 08' kids were productive as freshman. It's when Whipple confused Jacory with Dan Fouts those kids fell of the radar. Should've went to more of a spread O with that group.

[UMike]

So calling something what it is is a lazy mindset? Well ok then lol

[UMike]

On paper that was one great class, especially the WR spot

[CaneRock]

Nobody's being lazy and characterizing Jeudy & company as a whiff, but Harley's recruitment (or lack thereof) was a straight phuck up...complete & utter horrible evaluation. Like Paxton Lynch, this kid was at their camp and no offer. They prioritized the CC kid over Him...SMH.

[Go Canes!]

I agree with that 100% CR.

[SOUP]

Game day!

#WeReady

[UMike]

I hope our boys respond to the disrespect and trash talking UWV's been doing.

[Ohio_Cane]

We better kick the ever-loving shit out of WVU. I'll be watching with a house full of WVU fans who are all family members.

I'll be the only Miami fan. I've got my orange and green everything here at work with me to change into to head straight there at 5:00.

[Go Canes!]

This is a big one for our program.

I think our defense is going to lay the wood on them in a big way.

They haven't seen team speed like ours on that side of the ball outside of the Oklahoma game.

Cant wait.

[UMike]

Go Canes... I agree its a big game for the direction of the program. I think Diaz will be ready and he will take the disrespect personally, he is old school that way.