In My Humble Opinion (IMHO)

Yesterday's shameful loss by Miami to Virginia was a symptom of much larger "systemic" problems for the Hurricanes. Let me explain.

Sure, you could argue that the loss was bad enough to stand alone on its own merits among some of the worst losses in the modern era for Miami. That was if you did not watch the FSU game and the cluster that it unveiled right before your eyes. Even after a miraculous comeback against the Seminoles most of you educated fans knew right then that the Hurricanes were in trouble, now didn't you? Yeah, I thought so.

The loss to Virginia was not one of the worst by the score or style of defeat, but simply by playing well below the weaker competition. Most long-time Hurricane fans have not easily forgotten the 48-0 loss in the last game at the Orange Bowl that UVA laid on UM. But apparently the passage of time, players and coaches have let that fade from their collective memory so we will give that a pass.

Funny how that doesn't happen when Miami plays Notre Dame or Ohio State, now does it? But I digress. What is systemically wrong with your Miami Hurricanes football team can be summed up fairly easily.

1. The head coach is also moonlighting as the offensive coordinator.
2. The offensive scheme is totally antiquated and has proven to be ineffective.
3. The play calling is way too simplistic, redundant and unimaginative.
4. The head coach's son is the QB coach and the QBs performance has been horrible.
5. There is (in fact) no real special teams coach and one third of the game is being ignored.

Let's break these issues down one at a time:

1. The offense has been a failure. There is no arguing or debating this fact. Three years and three quarterbacks later the Canes still can't score early, often, consistently or especially when needed against any sign of competition. Clemson and Wisconsin proved it. FSU almost did this year but leave it to lowly Virginia to pin the tail on the donkey. Virginia stuffed the Canes in their attempt at a futile comeback against an un-ranked, allegedly hopeless and hapless ACC rival.
2. Dust collects daily on Mark Richts' 1972-82 offense. He was relieved of OC duties and eventually got fired from being a head coach at Georgia because of the same old, same old rust bucket offense. It didn't work then, it isn't working now and it will not work at all in the current era of college pass happy football. The 1972 Dolphins were perfect with this offense. Unfortunately, Griese, Warfield, Csonka, Kick, Morris and Shula have moved on.
3. We apparently have four plays? Canes fans were joking on Facebook today that UM has four basic plays that can be found on the video game football programs that consists of two running plays and two pass plays. While I could not prove this in a court of law I can say that most fans feel the same way. The announcers on TV call the plays we are going to run, the fans in the stadium call the plays and we are absolutely certain that highly paid and trained defensive coordinators can call the same plays as well. It has gone beyond the point of frustration to complete embarrassment.
4. Three QBs in three years and nothing to show for it? Simply stated, the QB performance has let down this team. But how are you going to fire your son for poor performance when you hired him out of nepotism in the first place. This IMHO may be the biggest bad mark against "Smart Mark" (OGV reference) that I can site so far. This is so ripe for criticism that it makes it such an obviously bad decision in the first place. This was a dumb move Smart Mark.
5. One third of the game is special teams. Miami has (let's be real) no actual special teams coordinator. Miami's special teams' performance has been putrid, no wait that is too generous, it has been a nightmare. Sure TE coach Todd Hartley is allegedly the ST coach but we know that he is still on this staff because he can recruit, not because he is a special teams genius. One third of the game is being lost each and every game before it starts and Manny Diaz must be livid about his defense being put in such a bad position all the time.

Before closing let me say that I believe all Miami Hurricane fans want Mark Richt to succeed. He is a former Hurricane player and came back to his alma mater out of love for the school and a chance to rebuild the once proud program. But, then again, we all wanted Randy Shannon to succeed also and we all know how that turned out.

Richt is a genuinely good man. He has done many good things for the University of Miami and has been generous of his time and money, contributing a cool $1 million to the indoor practice facility. But his job is to win football games. When he does a good job he deserves all the credit in the world. And, when the team plays poorly and loses, he deserves the blame too.

If he is willing to take a serious inventory of what needs to be done to fix things I believe he can be very successful at UM. The only questions that remain are will he, and if so, how soon will he address the issues that everyone can clearly see.

But hey, that's just in my humble opinion.

Comments

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Posted by: CGNC | October 17, 2018 at 02:37 PM

Given a choice it's always preferable to be able to stop the other team better than most others can rather than score more often than most others and have your defense surrender around 30 a game, so this is not the worst thing that can happen. Only those like your GD's of the world would try and argue otherwise on that point because that's the sign of a sid-tard, but you can win football games consistently by not shooting your own feet off if you can shut everything else down so I'll accept it for now.

Posted by: solarcane | October 17, 2018 at 02:49 PM

Not likely seeing as how they didn't have Chaisson available at all since the opener to try and rush the passer with and they still pushed the final margin of victory higher regardless of the abscence, but I'm sure anything to disregard how their corch choked away a national title to a team that couldn't even win the weak half of your own league last year will be used to get them through this one too, seems pretty par for the uga course since I've been alive. At least there's two weeks for them all to start cocktail partying to drown their suddenly resurgent fears of the largest outdoor one on its way I suppose.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

A lot of our QB problems has to do with the OL and play calling! Our OL is 70% of what's wrong with our offense. Richt needs to put our QBs in better situation!

[AeroCane]

I’m gonna say it - I’m done with this fucking idiot named Mark Richt
You will see/ we will start losing recruits, guys will transfer etc
For the good of the team let’s hope the idiot in charge gets a calling from ‘god’ and quits!
I refuse to watch the demise! It will come quick - lingard will transfer first if he doesn’t start playing a bigger RB role; of course N’Kosi should transfer; Weldon is in the dog house; nesta is not playing nearly enough (he’s great and way better than the transfer kid with the stupid penalty’s.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

I’m gonna say it - I’m done with this fucking idiot named Mark Richt
You will see/ we will start losing recruits, guys will transfer etc
For the good of the team let’s hope the idiot in charge gets a calling from ‘god’ and quits!
I refuse to watch the demise! It will come quick - lingard will transfer first if he doesn’t start playing a bigger RB role; of course N’Kosi should transfer; Weldon is in the dog house; nesta is not playing nearly enough (he’s great and way better than the transfer kid with the stupid penalty’s.

Posted by: AeroCane | October 17, 2018 at 04:11 PM

Bye! We don't need fans like you!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

There's no difference between Perry and Rosier. Let's win the coastal and sees what happens against Clemson!

[AeroCane]

I’ve probably been a fan longer than you! Since 1965! And again, I’ll stick by what I said; and when richt and his shit ego go away, maybe we will get a coach who:
Plays to win rather than to lose
Plays with a fun, upbeat offense;
Has the balls to fire a coach who isn’t cutting it; etc

[DallasTX Cane]

Anyone willing to give the benefit of the doubt and consider that (not so) Smart Mark decided that playing any QB behind the rotting corpse of an OL we trot out week after week is a recipe for physical damage, emotional & psychological damage and so figured might as well let the senior suffer??

[Go Canes!!]

Imo there has to be some kind of disconnect between Perry and CMR.

It’s the only explanation that makes any sense.

[AeroCane]

Dallas - that a great thought lol

[mi@mic@ne]

Everyone knows that I wanted Butch. And if you go back to those post you will see that after they hired Richt it was a big let down. So in order to become a team player , I made the point that Richt would change because he was a miami guy who in the mold of Snells. And I purposely tried to forget that he was disciples by bowden knowing that after JJ had built up our talent that we scored 31 points in the final game of JJs era and held them to single digits... JJ was out of FSWhos league. JJ left the Canes with so much talent that Erickson said that the teams standards were so high that they were teaching him how Canes dominate....thats when we established the culture for all college football that was called swagger....then after Erickson terrible recruiting the team slipped back to losing. Then we got Butch who took us from being on probation to assembling a team that was full of first round picks..it was said that the 2002 team could compete with a few NFL teams.... But instead of rewarding Butch for taking us out of probation and remaking the Cane dynasty they bring in the o coordinator under Bowden who was soundly beaten by JJ with butch as d coordinator.

[solarcane]

thirsty dont let this sht get you down,if anything at least were not FSU

[BigWindyCane]

Poll: If Rosier starts against BC how many people are turning off their TV?

Posted by: SOUP | October 17, 2018 at 10:06 AM

I will watch, but not without a nice stiff drink in my hand and a bottle and some ice on the bar. CMR is really driving me to drink too much

[Herbieibis]

Cane's fans,all valid points. The Herb understands your frustrations. Richt is a play not to lose coach, instead a play to win Coach first. Nothing exciting about his offense and for a coach who first told Rosier he would never play for him and now he just can't get rid of his saftey net.
Our bigger problem is the offensive line. We Have No True Offensive Tackles. Now not only do we have a problem passing but running as well. I don't care who the QB is, as I think both are average at best. Perry has the better arm. Rosier runs it better. At the moment we have no offensive identity. We have no go to Wr. One game it's Thomas, one game it's Harley, one game it's Jordan and one game it'Cager.
We got to speed guys that we can't seem to get the ball to. Our RB's are good but rather if it's Homer, Dallas or Linegard, running behind this line is arduous.
Think about this out of our first team offense and defense16 are Golden boys. Now Richt has had 2 full recruiting cycles and he can't find 2 or 3 guys to play tackle? Not only is he a lousy offensive mind, he's slipped up bad in certain positions recruiting. When u have no body better than Joned, Gauthier and Mahoney u shit your pants somewhere.
Rosier is as good as he is going to get. A QB whisper wouldn't BUT if Richt would devise a game plan to his strengths, if might not be half bad and the same with Perry But that won't happen because Richt won't change.
Three problems are killing this team, Special teams and mainly the punting. Two the play calling and three which our biggest problem, is the Offensive line.
These problems aren't going away this year.

[solarcane]

Ill say this again
Grown ass men need not shed tears nor sweat for 19 yr old boys that get full scholarships and go on to be millionaires.

Pretty much the hilite of the last decade for me was watching Bosher run down the field and annihilate guys.
Now we have 11 Boshers on defense.

I am enjoying this years version of a season going down the drain more than most previous ones, Im good.

[Go Canes!!]

Record vs ACC foes since 2015:

Clem 28-2 (.933)
Miami 19-9 (.678)
Va Tech 18-10 (.642)
Pitt 16-11 (.592)
Louis 16-12 (.571)
NCSU 14-12 (.538)
FSU 15-13 (.535)
UNC 15-13 (.535)
Ga Tech 10-18 (.357)
Duke 9-17 (.346)
UVa 9-18 (.333)
Wake 8-18 (.307)
BC 8-19 (.296)
Cuse 7-20 (.259)

[AeroCane]

Miami - love your post!!

[SOUP]

Unless there’s some kind of discipline or comprehension issue we don’t know about, this decision is inexplicable.

Posted by: Go Canes!! | October 17, 2018 at 01:17 PM

IT'S NOT FUN ANYMORE

Posted by: canezilla | October 17, 2018 at 02:40 PM

Write it down, mark it down, get the tattoo:

"The Honeymoon Is Over."

[solarcane]

AP All American Team

FIRST TEAM

Offense

Quarterback — Will Grier, senior, West Virginia.

Running backs — Bryce Love, senior, Stanford; Jonathan Taylor, sophomore, Wisconsin.

Tackles — Jonah Williams, junior, Alabama; Mitch Hyatt, senior, Clemson.

Guards — Beau Benzschawel, senior, Wisconsin; Nate Herbig, junior, Stanford.

Center — Ross Pierschbacher, senior, Alabama.

Tight end — Noah Fant, junior, Iowa.

Receivers — A.J. Brown, junior, Mississippi; David Sills V, senior, West Virginia.

All-purpose player — Myles Gaskin, senior, Washington.

Kicker — Matt Gay, senior, Utah.

Defense

Ends — Nick Bosa, junior, Ohio State; Clelin Ferrell, junior, Clemson.

Tackles — Ed Oliver, junior, Houston; Christian Wilkins, Senior, Clemson.

Linebackers — Devin White, junior, LSU; Devin Bush, junior, Michigan; T.J. Edwards, senior, Wisconsin.

Cornerbacks — Greedy Williams, sophomore, LSU; Deandre Baker, senior, Georgia.

Safeties — Jaquan Johnson, senior, Miami; Taylor Rapp, junior, Washington.

Punter — Mitch Wishnowsky, senior, Utah.

___

SECOND TEAM

Offense

Quarterback — Trace McSorley, senior, Penn State.

Running backs — A.J. Dillon, sophomore, Boston College; Damien Harris, junior, Alabama.

Tackles — David Edwards, junior, Wisconsin; Greg Little, junior, Mississippi.

Guards — Alex Bars, senior, Notre Dame; Michael Dieter, senior, Wisconsin.

Center — Sam Mustipher, senior, Notre Dame.

Tight end — Kaden Smith, junior, Stanford.

Receivers — N'Keal Harry, junior, Arizona State; Anthony Johnson, senior, Buffalo.

All-purpose player — Deebo Samuel. senior, South Carolina.

Kicker — Rodrigo Blankenship, junior, Georgia.

Defense

Ends — Rashan Gary, junior, Michigan; Raekwon Davis, junior, Alabama.

Tackles — Dexter Lawrence, junior, Clemson; Jeffrey Simmons, junior, Mississippi State.

Linebackers — Cameron Smith, senior, Southern California; Troy Dye, junior, Oregon; Mack Wilson, junior, Alabama.

Cornerbacks — Byron Murphy, sophomore, Washington; Julian Love, junior, Notre Dame.

Safeties — Lukas Dennis, senior, Boston College; Andrew Wingard, senior, Wyoming.

Punter — Jake Bailey, senior, Stanford.

[solarcane]

AP Mid Season All American Team

FIRST TEAM

Offense

Quarterback — Tua Tagovailoa, sophomore, Alabama.

Running backs — Jonathan Taylor, sophomore, Wisconsin; Darrell Henderson, junior, Memphis.

Tackles — Jonah Williams, junior, Alabama; Mitch Hyatt, senior, Clemson.

Guards — Beau Benzschawel, senior, Wisconsin; Shane Lemieux, junior, Oregon.

Center — Ross Pierschbacher, senior, Alabama.

Tight end — Jace Sternberger, junior, Texas A&M.

Receivers — Laviska Shenault Jr., sophomore, Colorado; Jerry Jeudy, sophomore, Alabama.

All-purpose player — Greg Dortch, sophomore, Wake Forest.

Kicker — Andre Szmyt, freshman, Syracuse.

Defense

Ends — Clelin Ferrell, junior, Clemson; Chase Winovich, senior, Michigan.

Tackles — Ed Oliver, junior, Houston; Gerald Willis III, senior, Miami.

Linebackers — Josh Allen, senior, Kentucky; Devin White, junior, LSU; Ben Burr-Kirven, senior, Washington.

Cornerbacks — Julian Love, junior, Notre Dame; Greedy Williams, sophomore, LSU.

Safeties — Deionte Thompson, junior, Alabama; Grant Delpit, sophomore, LSU.

Punter — Braden Mann, junior, Texas A&M.

SECOND TEAM

Offense

Quarterback — Dwayne Haskins, sophomore, Ohio State.

Running backs — Travis Etienne, sophomore, Clemson; Benny Snell, junior, Kentucky.

Tackles — David Edwards, junior, Wisconsin; Greg Little, junior, Mississippi.

Guards — Terronne Prescod, senior, North Carolina State; Ben Bredeson, junior, Michigan.

Center — Michael Jordan, junior, Ohio State.

Tight end — Noah Fant, junior, Iowa.

Receivers — Marquise Brown, junior, Oklahoma; John Ursua, junior, Hawaii.

All-purpose player — Rondale Moore, freshman, Purdue.

Kicker — Cole Tracy, senior, LSU.

Defense

Ends — Montez Sweat, junior, Mississippi State; Brian Burns, junior, Florida State.

Tackles — Jerry Tillery, senior, Notre Dame; Quinnen Williams, sophomore, Alabama.

Linebackers — Devin Bush, junior, Michigan; Porter Gustin, senior, Southern California; Curtis Bolton, senior, Oklahoma.

Cornerbacks — Deandre Baker, senior, Georgia; Adrian Frye, freshman, Texas Tech.

Safeties — Taylor Rapp, junior, Washington; Ugochukwu Amadi, senior, Oregon.

Punter — Ryan Stonehouse, sophomore, Colorado State.

___

[solarcane]

everybody suck

[SOUP]

Our OL is 70% of what's wrong with our offense. Richt needs to put our QBs in better situation!

Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 17, 2018 at 04:01 PM

And so far he has done exactly what?

[SOUP]

everybody suck

Posted by: solarcane | October 17, 2018 at 06:51 PM

Tru dat!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

AeroCane
I’ve probably been a fan longer than you! Since 1965! And again, I’ll stick by what I said; and when richt and his shit ego go away, maybe we will get a coach who:
Plays to win rather than to lose
Plays with a fun, upbeat offense;
Has the balls to fire a coach who isn’t cutting it; etc

Posted by: AeroCane | October 17, 2018 at 04:35 PM

You got me old man....LOL! I'm only 38, but been getting season tickets since 1985.

[mi@mic@ne]

Posted by: AeroCane | October 17, 2018 at 06:40 PM

Us old guys are fortunate to watch the dynasty that went all the way back to the early 80s ...even tho we only won 5 titles and cheated out of 2 in that time from 83 to 2002 we were most always in the mix for the titles....very proud of those Canes

[AeroCane]

Solar - I don’t see feagles anywhere on that list
Lol

[Go Canes!!]

Posted by: solarcane | October 17, 2018 at 06:51 PM

Truer words have never been spoken.

[Go Canes!!]

Posted by: SOUP | October 17, 2018 at 06:57 PM

Recruit better players. Imo he will fix this part. He’s got a top LT committed and HAS to get Neal.

[Go Canes!!]

Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 17, 2018 at 04:01 PM

Agree. He’s not doing his mediocre OL any favors either. His predictability sets them up for even more failure.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

This blog is nothing but an emotional rollercoaster! When we kill BC I'm sure everyone will be talking ACC championship....LOL!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 17, 2018 at 07:36 PM

So true.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

The OL is sucking because Searels is terrible. Someone show me what play you call when your Center is picked up and put down in your QB's lap. Show me what play counters the LT not touching the DE, or the RT for that matter. I see Gs whiffing completely also. This is the worst awfensive line in recent memory. Even with all the smart, short passing game in the world, this OL is terrible and will get exposed.

[Harry Miller]

Started going to games in the late 40's saw all those champion ship teams get built, Then seen them get destroyed. Just hope I get to see them get great again. I don't think it's going to be with this jackass unless he get a real OC and a QB coach along with a st coach.
that's not asking for to much is it.

[Harry Miller]

Oh and a new DL coach. Yea I might be asking for to much.

[BEERicane]

Poll: If Rosier starts against BC how many people are turning off their TV?

Posted by: SOUP | October 17, 2018 at 10:06 AM

I will watch, but not without a nice stiff drink in my hand and a bottle and some ice on the bar. CMR is really driving me to drink too much

Posted by: BigWindyCane | October 17, 2018 at 06:18 PM

It’s not an “if”. it’s happening.....

http://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article220163525.html

[Herbieibis]

Go,
He has Tarquin coming in, who has to have labrum surgery and Neal is a probable but that being said, that still not enough. Searles ain't even in Art's league. Hell u could crawl out from underneath a rock and Art would make u descent.
The rest of these games will be nip and tuck and sooner or later the Defense will have a bad half. We have the tools to be good we just need a motivational coach who don't look and sound like he just smoked a Doobie!

[solarcane]

look and sound like he just smoked a Doobie!

Posted by: Herbieibis | October 17, 2018 at 08:23 PM

I feel you Herbie,

Im waiting for him to pull on his cardigan and ask me to be his fuggin neighbor

[Go Canes!!]

Know it’s pile on time but last time I checked Richt is also head coach of the defense and they don’t seem to be doing pretty damn good.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Started going to games in the late 40's saw all those champion ship teams get built, Then seen them get destroyed. Just hope I get to see them get great again. I don't think it's going to be with this jackass unless he get a real OC and a QB coach along with a st coach.
that's not asking for to much is it.

Posted by: Harry Miller | October 17, 2018 at 08:09 PM

Alright, now your really showing your age....LOL!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Know it’s pile on time but last time I checked Richt is also head coach of the defense and they don’t seem to be doing pretty damn good.

Posted by: Go Canes!! | October 17, 2018 at 08:42 PM

If only he had that attacking style on offense. I really think Richt shout play his 2 minute offense the whole game! We do really well when we're in the hurry up offense.

This offense is an easy fix, we have the damn talent. We could even make the OL look good!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

*should 👆👆👆

[thirstybuzzardcane]

More passes to the RB's, quick slants to the WR, and more seam and drag routes for the TE's is the ticket for success!

And please please let's have guy in motion to at least let the defense think a little bit!

[AeroCane]

Go - twist things how you want but you’re wrong! That’s not a comparison and is idiotic. Richt is the OC; he needs to held accountable as OC; he’s not the DC; If Diaz wasn’t doing his job we be calling for his head

[Go Canes!!]

Mixed up pretty damn good and not too bad but you get the point

[AeroCane]

Thirsty - I understand what you’re saying and I think everyone would agree BUT what makes you think he will change anything for more than a half or if we’re lucky a full game? He’s been the same guy for a long time now. IJS

[AeroCane]

Go -gotcha!

[TruCane81]

If only he had that attacking style on offense. I really think Richt shout play his 2 minute offense the whole game! We do really well when we're in the hurry up offense.

This offense is an easy fix, we have the damn talent. We could even make the OL look good!

Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 17, 2018 at 08:52 PM

Tempo has worked well for us.

The excuse was defensive depth when Brad was here.

What’s the hold up now?

[TruCane81]

More passes to the RB's, quick slants to the WR, and more seam and drag routes for the TE's is the ticket for success!

And please please let's have guy in motion to at least let the defense think a little bit!

Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 17, 2018 at 09:02 PM

Won’t make us the greatest show on turf but could help give THE PILLAGE a little support.

Something is wrong with strength and conditioning, ol coaching or both.

Even including McDermott last year, our ol is constantly whiffing and getting rag dolled.

The predictability allowing defenses to cheat makes them look a lot worse, but the way they get physically dominated is alarming. These guys are 3 stars but play like 0 stars.

Something is very, very wrong that goes well beyond their lack of pure physical talent.

Leverage and want to can allow less physically gifted ol men to compete. These guys were sought after by d1 programs and look like naia.

[TruCane81]

Golden’s lines played WAYYYYYY better than Richt’s so blaming it on them just being goldenites is pretty simplistic.

[Harry Miller]

We are missing a great opportunity. I am a dedicated Christian and loved it when MR was hired.
The problem is he is not going to get us to the top. The parents of most of the 4 & 5 star high school players want their sons to be with a coach that will look after their child and make a better man out of him. That's is one of MR top qualities.
These kids wan't to be on a champion ship team along with making their parents happy and becoming a asset to their community making good grades and getting to the next level.
Just think how good we could be if MK concentrated more on one of his greatest assets
and hired the right coaches to do what he is not good at. We all know what that is. He needs to admit this for the sake of the kids, school, fans and himself.

[AeroCane]

Just think how good we could be if MK concentrated more on one of his greatest assets
and hired the right coaches to do what he is not good at. We all know what that is. He needs to admit this for the sake of the kids, school, fans and himself.

Posted by: Harry Miller |

Thanks Harry!