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.
Go Canes!!
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
Michael Thompson is another option not talked about much. He said lack of depth at DT is something he is monitoring. With Norton and Mac heading to the NFL, he sees possible immediate playing time.
Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | January 12, 2018 at 10:05 PM
502
Posted by: 86Cane | January 13, 2018 at 12:27 AM
Ariz said Miami wont take another LB because Steed took a RS, making the 2018 freshmen MLB Steed & SLB Joyner.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 13, 2018 at 12:07 PM
^^^ Thats interesting to me because I figured Joyner was a RS candidate.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 13, 2018 at 12:08 PM
Outstanding stuff.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 13, 2018 at 12:09 PM
And also RIP to the best to ever do it, Keith Jackson.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 13, 2018 at 12:14 PM
If they ever make another NCAA football game, it needs to be done with Keith Jackson's voice.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 13, 2018 at 12:14 PM
"This is the perfect time to retire. I don't want to get back in the pressure cooker of play by play and worrying about travel. I don't want to die in a stadium parking lot."
Keith Jackson
Posted by: NativeCane | January 13, 2018 at 12:31 PM
Man rip Kieth Jackson... fumbleeeeeeee. When I think of Saturday afternoon in the fall watching football as kid on ABC I can remember how he said Miami.
Posted by: 🐜🌀 | January 13, 2018 at 12:51 PM
The Granddaddy of them all and Whoa Nellie. Man those where days.
Posted by: 🐜🌀 | January 13, 2018 at 12:55 PM
DaU
Posted by: DADDEH | January 13, 2018 at 12:56 PM
Top Miami targets freezing their butts off in GA and LA, meanwhile Richt's tweeting pictures of white sandy beaches and palm trees. Well played coach.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 13, 2018 at 01:27 PM
Love all Canes but Newton isn’t one I’ll particularly miss.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 13, 2018 at 03:38 PM
Canes men fighting back against Clemson right now.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 13, 2018 at 04:52 PM
Posted by: 🐜🌀 | January 13, 2018 at 12:51 PM
He's what sold me on the Canes as a teenager. Welcome back, (pause) to Miyami Florida, where the Hurricanes defense today, has been dominant.
His cadence was very FDR. Truly a legend in the industries of football & broadcasting. Had I ever met the man, I would have fan boy'd hard. "Mister Jackson, Mister Jackson, can you please say, 'His Royal Dudeness' for my voicemail?" Lol.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 13, 2018 at 04:53 PM
Canes are better than Clemson. I hope they can make the plays down the stretch and find a way to win this game
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 13, 2018 at 04:54 PM
I really don’t like Clemson
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 13, 2018 at 04:57 PM
Canes can’t score enough to win on the road. It’s a head scratcher. Hopefully, they will improve as the season progresses
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 13, 2018 at 05:05 PM
Canes guards are overrated. they can't consistently shoot the ball. Brown and Walker IV was suppose to be among the best in the country. No where near that.
Posted by: PapaCane | January 13, 2018 at 05:15 PM
Love all Canes but Newton isn’t one I’ll particularly miss.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 13, 2018 at 03:38 PM
Newton is straight garbage. He can't shoot and foul to much. He contributes to the loss instead of contributing to the win. He won't even make in the D-League.
Posted by: PapaCane | January 13, 2018 at 05:21 PM
HRD please mail me a care package of your finest ASAP....your on another level that I need to be on.
Posted by: 🐜🌀 | January 13, 2018 at 05:40 PM
At least Brown and Walker will be back one more year.
Posted by: CoCane | January 13, 2018 at 05:51 PM
Ivins: Miami starting to see the benefits of having most of its recruiting class locked up during the Early Signing Period. While UF, FSU and others focus on the ‘18s, the Hurricanes can show underclassmen targets some love hence why Richt was in Jax today.
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 13, 2018 at 05:57 PM
Posted by: 🐜🌀 | January 13, 2018 at 05:40 PM
😁
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 13, 2018 at 07:40 PM
🐜🌀 | January 13, 2018 at 05:40 PM
😁
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 13, 2018 at 07:40 PM
💨
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 13, 2018 at 08:23 PM
🌳 🌲
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 13, 2018 at 08:25 PM
💯
From Twitter: So Clemson announces DL Ferrell, a likely top 15 pick, and three other juniors are NOT turning pro. But two UM DTs told to return to UM are
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 13, 2018 at 09:10 PM
Culture.
Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | January 13, 2018 at 09:16 PM
So who exactly is in our players’ ears telling em to go pro? They’re getting bad advice... from some gravy train seeking leeches I Assume.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 13, 2018 at 10:28 PM
Posted by: Go Canes!! | January 13, 2018 at 09:10 PM
Not gonna see this much but I agree!!
Norton and McIntosh made Dumb Moves!!
Neither dominated or were so super special that they need to leave early. Sometimes I think these kids get too much info from scouts and such and that info is used as good when it is all just a guess..
You Might be 3rd to 5th round .... You May not be picked at all..
Injuries wasn't an issue to them or for them, I think its all just stupid ppl in kids ears pushing for bucks..
Posted by: RCCF | January 13, 2018 at 10:28 PM
Found this on CIS, it’s from warchant. Maybe we are overstating how much of a problem we have with players leaving early?:
"For my research, I chose six other programs that I thought were somewhat similar to Florida State -- Alabama, Clemson, Florida, LSU, Miami and Ohio State. I then looked up how many early entries each school has had since the end of the 2013 season, including the ones who have declared in recent days.
LSU has had more early entries than anyone over the last five years with 21.
Clemson will likely be at 21, too, when its two terrific defensive linemen declare. What are those dudes waiting on anyway?
Florida State is currently at 20.
So is Florida.
Alabama, which had five players declare on Thursday, is currently at 18.
Ohio State is at 15.
Miami, which I included because it’s a rival -- but doesn’t really belong on this list because it hasn’t won anything since I had hair -- has had 11"
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 13, 2018 at 10:36 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 13, 2018 at 10:49 PM