Answer The Question (Part III)

In this three part series we have been focusing on what Miami needs to do to beat Clemson, win the ACC and compete for a National Championship Title.

Others have tried to copy this great idea (I know you are reading this and you know who you are) with a slight twist because it was, in fact, such a great idea.

In Part I of the series we answered the obvious question: How does Miami stack up talent wise versus teams like Clemson and the other playoff teams like Alabama, Georgia and Oklahoma. Most knowledgeable college football fans already knew the obvious when we told you that Miami trails these teams in recruiting over the last 3-5 years by a significant margin.

Head coach Mark Richt recruited very well last year, is killing it this year with his #Storm18 class and still has a long way to go to make up the talent gap that has been created over the past five years. We wish him luck and success.

The top four teams average 10 five star and 44 four star players per team.

Miami has just 2 five stars and 24 four star players on their current roster. 

In Part II of the series we looked at the most glaring and obvious issues on the current team: Offensive woes that resulted from poor execution, poor QB play, poor play calling and game planning and key injuries that impacted the team during the season. At times it looked like a complete cluster *&%$.

All of these factors created the perfect storm (pun intended) for the 2017 UM offense that at times looked unstoppable (Notre Dame)and at other times could not get out of their own way (Pitt, Clemson, Wisconsin and others).

To be clear Miami trailed Clemson in every offensive category that counts: Scoring  (Clemson #21, Miami #57, Total Offense (#31, #58), Rushing Offense (#33, #73) and Passing Offense (#50, #52).

In Part III of the series we are going to look at a few more statistical categories where the Hurricanes must improve if they are going to win something more than the weak Coastal Division of the ACC and compete with the Big Boys.

These categories are:

Third Down Conversions - Offense: Clemson #10, Miami #123

First Downs - Gained: Clemson #12, Miami #89

First Downs - Allowed: Clemson #11, Miami #68

Time of Possession: Clemson #44, Miami #119

It doesn't take a rocket scientist, an MIT grad, the GEICO Gecko or our own prominent resident statistician TonyCane to do the math and figure out what went wrong with the Miami Hurricanes in 2017.

On offense the Hurricanes could not get a first down to save their lives and had way too many three-and-outs. This usually resulted in poor field position, too many punts (with a poor punter to boot, pun intended) and often times put too much pressure put on the young, aggressive and at times worn out defense.

On defense the Hurricanes could not get off the field on third down, gave up way too many first downs overall and too many conversions on third down even when the defense had other teams in third and long. In fact there were times during the season when fans would use this statement as a punchline: "The other team has us just where they want us, in third and long!"

Solution: Next year the Hurricanes must convert 45% or more on third downs on offense. They also must get off the field on defense on third and 7 yards or more. Or 11 yards or more. Or 17 yards or more. Or, well, you get my drift.

Comments

[raizecane]

Sinister......yes, Saban did give praise to smart. Do your research before spewing garbage,....

Go Dogs!!!!

[1mg of Epi]

since tweeter and Facebook didn't exist in 2001?

Posted by: SinisterCane | January 08, 2018 at 07:26 PM

Unfortunately the last time there was anything to give UM congrats about, nobody knew or cared what a Mark Richt was. There also wasn’t a social media for him to use to get that message out. That said, I have no doubt given the platform, 1983 Richt would’ve shouted out his team.

This is the man Parents want watching over their kids. When he talks family to recruits, this is an example what he means.

Honestly, u are waaaaay over reacting to this. Richt shouting them out doesn’t make him look like a jilted lover. It makes him look like someone secure in where he’s at.

[1mg of Epi]

The only analogous situation would be the 83 team. I do beleive I read Richt sent out props via homing pigeon and telegraph.

[1mg of Epi]

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/nick-saban-congratulated-former-assistant-kirby-smart-winning-sec-title/

Here ya go sinister

[1mg of Epi]

Chris Low
✔
@ClowESPN
Nick Saban told me he called Kirby Smart to congratulate him earlier Sunday morning on winning the SEC title. We could see the first Saban vs. Smart matchup for the national title if Alabama and Georgia both win their CFP semifinal games.

[His Royal Dudeness]

This is a silly sword to die on Sin.

[1mg of Epi]

Dude. Cmon. Whatya think.... these guys are rappers or something? East side yo.

[1mg of Epi]

Yea sin... this is as bad as Willies “rosier is good” sword.

I’m gonna assume u r just trolling.

[His Royal Dudeness]

I'm going to enjoy watching to dudes in the trenches tonight.

[His Royal Dudeness]

They brought Trump out to this thing?

[1mg of Epi]

Athlon Sports puts out thier Preseason Top 25 for 2018
1 Alabama
2 Ohio State
3 Clemson
4 Georgia
5 Miami

[Go Canes!!]

Bama’s passing game is grosser.

That kid is just brutal throwing the ball.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 08, 2018 at 08:30 PM

Yeah, but hes like a 2nd RB and that OL is very good & so are the weapons around him.

Both defenses are outstanding.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 08, 2018 at 08:29 PM

I would not rank Miami in top 5 without McIntosh & Norton. I feel like top 15 or top 20 is right. Weve got a loooong ways to go to close the talent gaps at the top. We shouldnt consider the Coastal a gimme, although we will be the favorite and should be.

[His Royal Dudeness]

That #94 on Alabama is what we will be missing next year.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Smart knows Saban hates the hurry up and hes bringing it to him.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Big surprise, #94 is another 5* DT for Alabama. We will never compete with Bama without having an outstanding OL & DL.

[TonyCane]

Sinister...he has stepped up recruiting. Amazing what a massive cash infusion by the admin and hiring of a phalanx of support personnel will do for recruiting. As for on the field results...I will say this. Georgia may have gotten to where they are only because Florida completely imploded and Auburn manages to rise to the occasion and beat Alabama.

The team Kirby inherited was well stocked and talented. Ours was talented but paper thin. He has coached well and built on Richts foundation, but he is taking advantage of a historically weak SEC East this year.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Posted by: TonyCane | January 08, 2018 at 09:02 PM

I dont think our roster especially talented.

[1mg of Epi]

Uga hasn’t had an injured starter this year. That’s a helluva stat.

[1mg of Epi]

TonyCane | January 08, 2018 at 09:02 PM

I dont think our roster especially talented.

Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 08, 2018 at 09:09 PM

It’s talented enough to run thru the regular season undefeated andwin the ACC-C. With a great qb maybe could challenge for th ACC ship.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Sony Michel, Calvin Ridley and so on.

[BigWindyCane1]

Athlon Sports puts out thier Preseason Top 25 for 2018
1 Alabama
2 Ohio State
3 Clemson
4 Georgia
5 Miami

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 08, 2018 at 08:29 PM Go Canes!!

Sounds about right. Canes may climb higher with a new QB. Coach Kul will have our DL prepared and ready to make plays

[His Royal Dudeness]

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 08, 2018 at 09:17 PM

A couple of injuries and we're done. We arent that much better than VT @VT or a couple others. We have to do everything well still.

[1mg of Epi]

A qb makes a huge diff vs our divisional opponents. I really don’t think anybody in the ACC outside of clempson can hang with us if we had one.

[SinisterCane]

His Royal Dudeness

Using your professional trained eye what defense is GA running specifically in the secondary

[1mg of Epi]

Wondering again why we never used motion

[BigWindyCane1]

Don’t sleep on Jon Ford. If you ever watch our DTs line up pregame or in practice, you will see that he clearly passes the eye test. Ford is bigger that McIntosh and Norton. If he plays the way he looks, he could be All ACC

[AeroCane]

All I'm going to say is: Georgia is ecstatic that they fired a good but by no means great coach for Smart!

Any coach that losses to Pitt when an undefeated season and potential number 1 ranking on the line is not high on my list right now!

Once spring comes, I'll forget and again root hard but with no confidence he can really get us to where we need to be. I hope I'm wrong.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Posted by: SinisterCane | January 08, 2018 at 09:32 PM

Cover 1 man from what I see. Hurts is panicking.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Uh oh Bama.

[TonyCane]

And Sinister...I stand corrected. Outstanding first half by Georgia.

[86Cane]

DO U SEE WHAT A CREATIVE OFFENSE LOOKS LIKE???

[CGNC]

Go Dawgs.

[86Cane]

Mark Richt would never do that.

#MRWNDT

[His Royal Dudeness]

That was a great play call, even better execution. If we ran that, the TE doesnt finish the play. Its the details.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Why doesnt that kid run the ball out with only 7 seconds remaining.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Saban sounds emotional.

[nemo2002]

Big surprise, #94 is another 5* DT for Alabama. We will never compete with Bama without having an outstanding OL & DL.

Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 08, 2018 at 08:56 PM

Yes, definitely! STARS MATTER

[BigWindyCane1]

Sony Michel has helped his NFL draft stock over the last two games. Michel has played better than Chubb

[His Royal Dudeness]

Posted by: nemo2002 | January 08, 2018 at 10:00 PM

Heck yes. A stable of 4s and 5s require less basic training. All advanced training.

[His Royal Dudeness]

This music is so terrible.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Shane Beamer y'all.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Shane Beamer for ST & LB coach.

[86Cane]

#MRWNDT

[SinisterCane]

Watching this makes me sad sorry I just don't believe in MR anymore

It been said that Perry is the best player on the TEAM but let save him for next year

[SinisterCane]

How many of y'all going to the LSU game if Nosier still under center

[His Royal Dudeness]

Mighty Mo swinging over to Bama.

[His Royal Dudeness]

Oh my Mo!

[SinisterCane]

Freshman QB's unit except for in Coral Gables