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.
Either i just had a stroke or I watched a stouffers commercial with Ted ginn sr. Why??
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 11, 2018 at 10:49 PM
some of this action?
C'mon, please?
Posted by: 86Cane | January 11, 2018 at 10:38 PM
Maybe we should just head straight to diamond dolls?
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 11, 2018 at 10:50 PM
Diamond Dolls?? Tootsies used to be the place.
Posted by: Old Skool | January 11, 2018 at 10:54 PM
Posted by: 1mg of Epi |Β January 11, 2018 at 10:18 PM
Same here My job would frown on me fighting but we can hash out whatever issue you have with me over Wings and Beer.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan |Β January 11, 2018 at 10:18 PM
YOU TWO BIG WUSSES... GET A ROOM!!!
πππππππππππππππππππ
Posted by: WWIN | January 11, 2018 at 11:00 PM
Im not disrespecting CMR in the slightest.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness |Β January 11, 2018 at 05:30 PM
Better not be! πππ
Posted by: WWIN | January 11, 2018 at 11:02 PM
of Epi | January 11, 2018 at 10:18 PM
Same here My job would frown on me fighting but we can hash out whatever issue you have with me over Wings and Beer.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 11, 2018 at 10:18 PM
YOU TWO BIG WUSSES... GET A ROOM!!!
πππππππππππππππππππ
Posted by: WWIN | January 11, 2018 at 11:
Youβre a different story Willie. You Iβll gladly meet in a dark alley.
Hey Terrance.. u in on this?
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 11, 2018 at 11:12 PM
Diamond Dolls?? Tootsies used to be the place.
Posted by: Old Skool | January 11, 2018 at 10:54 PM
Tootsies still is, but trust me on this one.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 11, 2018 at 11:13 PM
Child please sit your soft ass down.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 11, 2018 at 09:19 PM
Child please is soft from the jump
Posted by: SinisterCane | January 11, 2018 at 11:13 PM
Posted by: WWIN | January 11, 2018 at 11:02 PM
You know me, I keep my head down until its time. Thats why I make the big bucks. π
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 11, 2018 at 11:41 PM
Posted by: 1mg of Epi |Β January 11, 2018 at 11:12 PM
Hey don't include me into this love affair... No menage a trois here!!!
πππ
Posted by: WWIN | January 11, 2018 at 11:52 PM
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness |Β January 11, 2018 at 11:41 PM
Smart man... that's why I'm yo agent!!!
π²πΈπ²
Posted by: WWIN | January 11, 2018 at 11:54 PM
Posted by: WWIN | January 11, 2018 at 11:54 PM
My recent posts have been so on point I might need another raise, just remember no testing for recreational.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 12:34 AM
The Canes have had numerous children of immigrants(legal and illegal) and even immigrant children themselves play for us over the years. They definitely made us better, as they made the country better.
Posted by: HillViewCane | January 12, 2018 at 05:57 AM
Shameful comments by Trump yesterday.
Absolutely shameful.
Every potential good he does for this country is overshadowed by the fact he has the social grace of a steaming pile of feces.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 06:39 AM
On another note, I'd think twice about walking away from Dolly if she called, even at her age,
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 06:44 AM
What the hell have I missed???
Posted by: raizecane | January 12, 2018 at 07:06 AM
For the record, Kers > Hooters. Same eye candy, better food, colder beer.
Posted by: raizecane | January 12, 2018 at 07:07 AM
There are days when I hate this place.
There are days when I love this place.
Today is all about the love!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 12, 2018 at 07:39 AM
Ariz: Miami to visit Briggs today before his OV
Miami coaches are set to check in on Dennis Briggs today in Kissimmee prior to his official visit this weekend.
The Canes currently lead for the DT prospect, who they are looking to pair with Nesta Silvera and potentially one more in this class.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 08:11 AM
Ariz: Hartley & Richt in Jacksonville visiting two 2019 prospec
Miami tight ends coach Todd Hartley and Mark Richt are up in the Jacksonville area today focusing on two 2019 prospects οΏ½ Canes running back commit Marcus Crowley and wide receiver target Jeremiah Payton.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 08:13 AM
1m...was is just Ted Ginn in that commercial, or his entire family?
Posted by: TonyCane | January 12, 2018 at 08:55 AM
[]_[] []\/[]
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 12, 2018 at 09:45 AM
https://twitter.com/CanesFootball/status/951838613649620992
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 12, 2018 at 10:30 AM
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 12, 2018 at 10:30 AM
It will only get better as the talent level increases.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 11:01 AM
My recent posts have been so on point I might need another raise, just remember no testing for recreational.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness |Β January 12, 2018 at 12:34 AM
Soup... It's that time again!
Posted by: WWIN | January 12, 2018 at 11:09 AM
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 08:11 AM
I still say 4 should be the number if we can hit it.
A Junior to play right away, Silvera & Briggs and 1 more to RS.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 11:10 AM
Think three will be our number TD.
Silvera, Briggs and a player to be named later.
We shall see.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 11:40 AM
https://twitter.com/TweedFlake/status/951855004385767427
Posted by: SinisterCane | January 12, 2018 at 11:41 AM
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 11:40 AM
If the DT number is 3, then the 3rd should be a JC guy that can rotate with Ford. That means we need 2 DT next year and we look to be in good shape for the top kid in FL.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 11:44 AM
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 11:44 AM
Assuming Chatfield is ours at DE (and I do) we still need an edge setter like that Langham kid from Alabama. He could grow into a DT down the road also.
Lol, my list still has like a dozen kids on it with weeks to go until NSD.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 11:46 AM
DL Jamarcus Chatman just told me he will take an official visit to Miami. This is a serious target to track for the #Canes down the stretch. @CanesInSight
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 12:00 PM
Next DL to commit to Miami is...........................................................................................
Dun dun dunnnnnn.....
Jamarcus Chatman!!
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 12, 2018 at 12:14 PM
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 12:00 PM
If he redshirts, hes basically a high 4* next year. Briggs and Nesta in the cycle next year, Chat gets 4 games to play in. Just need a JC kid to slam guards and centers with Ford.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 12:32 PM
https://twitter.com/ford__9/status/951662064174592000
^^^ Yeah, Jon Ford has his body ready for next year. That puts me a little at ease. Our boy looks ready to eat em up. Coach Kul might have a war daddy in him.
If we dont get a JC DT to bully the interior, I think Nesta will have to play a bunch as a true freshman.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 12:56 PM
Ariz is predicting Ezzard to Miami.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 02:22 PM
Ohio, do you have the remaining Scholly number, Im seeing 5-7? Is it 5, 6 or 7?
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 02:24 PM
Scholly number I don't have. I don't think anyone but Miami has that real number. Plus attrition will change that number in the coming months with transfers, etc.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 12, 2018 at 02:26 PM
However, we'll be taking 5-7 more recruits this cycle.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 12, 2018 at 02:26 PM
https://twitter.com/pff_college/status/951899338527199234?ref_src=twcamp%5Eshare%7Ctwsrc%5Eios%7Ctwgr%5Ecom.apple.UIKit.activity.Message
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 02:49 PM
Looking at those grades makes me wonder how badly Norton needs the money.
Posted by: HillViewCane | January 12, 2018 at 03:03 PM
For some reason today I just needed a reminder of what makes America great. I found one. A reminder of the dream. MLK is known for his dream, America has in recent memory been known as the dream. Despite our issues, for many we have been a dream come true. We should continue to strive for that, together.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/05/26/haiti-born-cadet-weeps-west-point-graduation/84965636/
Posted by: HillViewCane | January 12, 2018 at 03:07 PM
Chatfield doing his OV today.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 03:10 PM
I imagine they want to lock down Chatfield so they dont have to waste time looking at other DEs down the stretch. Hopefully we can get verbals from Briggs and Chatman in the next 2 weeks giving us a fine haul on the DL. We will see if that puts us in better shape for Campbell, it cant hurt. If we can grab every name I listed, then Goss is the only remaining need. Ariz thinks Ezzard is coming also, that makes 7. I'd still want another LB, DE, OT & JC DT. Id always have a scholly available to Surtain if he wanted to join his teammates. That makes 12 more, lol. Any way we can make that work? Lol.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 03:52 PM
Come to think of it, if we get Chatfield this weekend and Briggs & Chatman in the next 2 weeks, we dont need anoth edge setting DE, because both Briggs & Chatman are up for that job right away.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 04:02 PM
This looks like good news?
@coach_thartley #DUUUUUVAL #Surge19 starting to gain some STRENGTH!!
2:13 PM - 12 Jan 2018 from Florida, USA
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 05:15 PM
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 05:15 PM
Kingsley Eguakun. 6'4" 300 OL & his highlight tape is outstanding. He's the real deal.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 06:00 PM
Ivins: Kingsley Eguakun might be a bit on an unknown now, but I loved him back in October when I saw Atlantic Coast take on Will Malloryβs Providence squad. Heβs super athletic and plays to the whistle.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 12, 2018 at 06:02 PM
We need Keon Zipp!!!
Posted by: WWIN | January 12, 2018 at 07:33 PM
Posted by: HillViewCane | January 12, 2018 at 03:07 PM
π
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 12, 2018 at 08:39 PM
Dennis Briggs is on campus now I guess.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 12, 2018 at 09:44 PM