TNM: Much Better But Still Not Good Enough

The New Miami found old ways to lose a football game in their 24-20 loss to the Florida Gators in Orlando on Saturday night.

Numerous penalties, a few dropped passes and one costly turnover can do that to a young and developing team.

We had predicted a final score of Miami 34 - Florida 17. And if not for the above mentioned mistakes it very well could have been.

The Hurricanes certainly look much improved over last year's debacle in Dallas when UM was out-manned and out-played decisively by LSU. They were always in this game and had their chances to steal a win but could not manage to come up a big play when it mattered most or score enough points to change the outcome. Simply put, twenty points is not going to get it done against the big boys in 2019.

This very young Miami team has a new head coach and a new starting QB but clearly still lacks the confidence or play makers (or both?) needed to pull off a road upset against a top 20 team.

The Florida Gators are not likely to win the SEC or the National Championship but had just enough talent and coaching to beat Miami in the college football 2019 season opener.

It is very likely Miami will be much improved by the end of the season and the results will reflect this as the Hurricanes chase an ACC title game date with likely opponent the Clemson Tigers.

Until then we encourage UM fans to be calm and Cane on. There is hope in Coral Gables again as The New Miami shows signs of being a work in progress.

Comments

[roachcane77]

2. Now I said a long time ago that as fans it is only our job to cheer for the team to win and not make personnel or play calling decisions, that is the coaches job, BUT when Osborn plays EVERY snap and newly converted Martell plays more than the three pine riders COMBINED, then you gotta start scratching your head just a little.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 29, 2019 at 10:37 AM

Yeah, I'm STILL a bit stunned by the lack of offensive "diversity" in BOTH play calling, AND players on the field in the 2nd half...

Enos' lack of creativity on these matters, and apparent SLOW decision making, (as evidenced by the multiple delay of game penalties), was disheartening to say the least. (I guess on a positive note, my fear of him being "snatched up" to become a head coach somewhere is rather premature at this point... )

[solarcane]

Diaz basically telling everyone to shut up, that they only had 10 offensive series that's why the wr guys that can't catch didn't play.
He said Osborn and Thomas have separated themselves so far from the other receivers that they need to stay
on the field.
He says Martell just being on the field puts pressure on the defense, while another WR doesn't.

He said against UNC they will get a chance to go deeper in the WR rotation.

[Herbieibis]

Hell I can see why Wiggins didn't see no action, he couldn't catch last year. Enos had a lot of movement early then basically everything stopped. Don't matter how good a play caller or QB guru he is, when Williams running from a swarm of Hornets all night long. Said this the other night, the worst game I've ever seen. We looked like a bunch of Slobs on office. All correctable stuff but this will be a slow accent, especially with this OH line and if these are their guys, then the backups must be pure trash.

[BigWindyCane]

Watching Dorian’s little dance out in the Atlantic. Be prepared and Stay safe everyone!

[BigWindyCane]

I see Trevor Lawrence threw two picks against GT in the first half, and Clemson still winning 35-0. Etienne has over 200 yards rushing on 12 carries.

[BigWindyCane]

Had a chance to see some Canes commits are targets over the last two weeks, and most recently the Carol City v Northwestern game at the Mecca (Traz Powell) tonight. Miami has some good comits if they can keep them.

[Terrance Sullivan]

ACC Network now adds Dish TV and Sling TV. Keep bringing it ACC Network! My Favorite Shows are The Huddle, Packer and Durham, and ACC Now!

[VA Cane]

I hope all of you Floridians are ready to seek shelter; dont take chances my friends. I pray and hope for a turn northeast but please be ready. I know you all have been there done that but please be safe.
All my best to my family,
VAC

[DallasTX Cane]

Dorian looking to just sit over FL Mon-Tue. Lot of flooding expected. U all stay safe. Stock extra food & water if U can.

CANES

[Terrance Sullivan]

Stay Safe My Floridian Friends!

[Native]

One of my regrets is not hooking up with fellow canespacers at the game. But i thought I saw Native hanging with the UF band leader for a bit....

Posted by: raizecane | August 28, 2019 at 12:33 PM

The Drum Major didnt even Major in Drums and I take exception to that....

[AeroCane]

Anybody have an update on Lorenzo? I’m curious as to how he’s coming along and when he will see some action?
Also, update on bolden? I’m anxious for him to take over at safety - Jmo but I think he’ll be a huge upgrade over carter

[solarcane]

Lingard practice yesterday

http://www.cbssports.com/general/video/2b98cb5c-2319-4c94-a759-8cadb93e4f7f

[solarcane]

let me get the better link aero , its from inside the u just a second

[solarcane]

https://247sports.com/college/miami/Video/Miamis-running-backs-work-on-spin-moves-and-catching-passes-in-d-9401356/

maybe this one

[Old Skool]

Don't know when Soup's due back, but his timing's pretty damn good to be away. He and Maria are probably eating 8 course white linen meals night after night instead of cooking up meats on the grill before they spoil because the power went out.

[solarcane]

timing's pretty damn good to be away.

unless his garbage cans,garage door,potted plants,and everything else end up two blocks away, then maybe not so much

[Old Skool]

Gronk wants to follow in the Rock's footsteps

Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski wants to step in the ring against WWE star Mojo Rawley.

If Gronk, 30, is serious about making an appearance in the ring, WWE appears willing to make it happen. WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative Paul "Triple H" Levesque told SI.com's Justin Barrasso earlier this year that "the door is open for [Gronk] at WWE

[AeroCane]

Thx Solar! Can’t wait to get him involved! I really believe him and bolden will be difference makers; I also think that patchen is a great hurricane and very serviceable, we need hill out there! I thought our DL was going to handle the gator OL the way they handled ours

[solarcane]

The more I really listen to Diaz the more I realize he isn't as concerned with the wins and losses this year as he is building for around two seasons from now.

The guys we are scratching our heads about now may well be all ACC by then. I think Manny is planning to dominate the Coastal and big bowl games from his third season on.

Jarren as a Junior with Van Dyke and maybe Garcia behind him should be humming. I think we see a new special teams coach and the rest of the staff staying a few years.JMO

[solarcane]

welcome aero, I would like to see him in a little at Carolina too.

[solarcane]

Woodward from Utah State has 24 tackles in this game, he graded out the highest of all linebackers last season, tackling machine

[Terrance Sullivan]

SolarCane this Wake Forest vs Utah State Game is entertaining as Heck. I am loving the ACC Network!

[Old Skool]

The more I really listen to Diaz the more I realize he isn't as concerned with the wins and losses this year as he is building for around two seasons from now.

The guys we are scratching our heads about now may well be all ACC by then. I think Manny is planning to dominate the Coastal and big bowl games from his third season on.

Hmm Why am I reminded of Jeff Bezos who resisted calls from lots of shareholders to raise prices and start making profits while he was focused on growth and ultimately building a behemoth

[AeroCane]

Old Skool and solar - my concern is that may be wonderful in theory and in business (in certain circumstances) but in college when a guy who is good usually is only around 3 or 4 years it’s not as advantageous and more importantly, if you’re not winning now, you better be an amazing recruiter (he has not proven to be) or guys will go to the winning teams
So I’m just saying is he better be careful and balance this thing and recruit! There are some truly elite talent guys out there this year - we need to land a game changer somewhere- LB, safety, etc and we really need to recruit some talented offensive lineman - say what you want about Zion, but he was a 2 star that we stole from Appalachia State; imagine if we had that 5 star monster from IMG that we lost to Bama at LT; guarantee he doesn’t give up 10 pressures; note our 2 best OL are high 4 stars but are guards in navaughn and scaiffe;

[86Cane]

Don't know when Soup's due back, but his timing's pretty damn good to be away. He and Maria are probably eating 8 course white linen meals night after night instead of cooking up meats on the grill before they spoil because the power went out.

Posted by: Old Skool | August 30, 2019 at 02:11 PM

We decided not to come back.

Will be staying here in Europe.

Just kidding!

We are due back Tuesday night when the hurricane should be turning/moving north of Orlando. At least that is what we are hoping. We will monitor what is going on at MCO starting tomorrow. This hurricane, like so many others, are fickle and change their minds and direction every day it seems.

And YES, we are eating well and traveling FAPPY: Fat and Happy!

[86Cane]

My guess is Diaz wants to win and win now, but mostly when it comes to the ACC games. I think he probably held some out of the Gatahs game knowing that it would have been nice to win (and they still could have maybe should have won) but why risk injury and showing your hand until you start playing some ACC games. I think against UNC you will start to see more diversity on offense and more substitution of players. This is just a guess but seems reasonable and logical. Time will tell...

[BigWindyCane]

According to PFF, Jaquan Johnson is the highest graded play (at any position) in the NFL preseason with a 97.7 grade

[UMike]

I'm not sure Florida was a legit #8 team, but could be, should be, the best team we play all year and we came within one play of beating them... literally. There was about 4 plays that if any single one of them go another way we win.

If Thomas don't muff, we win.
If we stop the fake, we win.
If Mallory doesn't hold, probably win.
If Thomas catches the pass, we win.
If refs don't pick up the flag, we win.

So if any ONE of those change, we beat a top 10 team. And that was with 10 damn sacks and Williams holding the ball longer then my fat ass can hold my breath.

I think we only get better from here. Freshman tackles, Williams first start, new system, tons of penalties etc and still should of won. We got the jitters out, then a bye week, so we will learn an awful lot about this team come Sept 7th.

[BigWindyCane]

We got the jitters out, then a bye week, so we will learn an awful lot about this team come Sept 7th.

Posted by: UMike | August 31, 2019 at 08:14 AM

Great take UMike. I would also add that if the Canes made the missed chip shot FG, the Canes probably win because they would only need a FG to win on one of their last two drives

[CGNC]

good blogging all! As for Dorian, West Palm is "still in the cone" but it looks like IF it makes landfall will be north of - Port St. Lucie - Vero area.
For you guys: met the neighbors at the fence yesterday;

Neighbor: That hurricane is big
Me: They're all big

That's what CGNC said

Off to the gym

[BigWindyCane]

That's what CGNC said

Off to the gym

Posted by: CGNC | August 31, 2019 at 10:40 AM

LOL 😂

[solarcane]

Me: They're all big

That's what CGNC said

Thanks

[solarcane]

Sully yea I am really enjoying the ACCN also, great so far.

[solarcane]

Soup,
Remember when Johnson came after Howard and went 8-5 including blowing that 31 point lead over Maryland?
He built a power house the next few years.
I think Diaz is doing exactly the same thing.

We will beat a bunch of nobodys this year and maybe get crushed while still playing hard against someone good at the end of the year.
Year three we will go exactly the opposite direction Richt took the program. JMO

[BigWindyCane]

Hurricane Dorian is making a northward track. There is actually a possibility that Dorian could effect the UNC game next week

[solarcane]

Jeez,
Bo Jackson might be the closest thing to Superman we see in our lifetime he still looks certified bad ass

[86Cane]

I think we only get better from here. Freshman tackles, Williams first start, new system, tons of penalties etc and still should of won. We got the jitters out, then a bye week, so we will learn an awful lot about this team come Sept 7th.

Posted by: UMike | August 31, 2019 at 08:14 AM

Agree 100%.

[86Cane]

Neighbor: That hurricane is big
Me: They're all big

That's what CGNC said

Off to the gym

Posted by: CGNC | August 31, 2019 at 10:40 AM

Well played!

[86Cane]

Remember when Johnson came after Howard and went 8-5 including blowing that 31 point lead over Maryland?
He built a power house the next few years.
I think Diaz is doing exactly the same thing.

Posted by: solarcane | August 31, 2019 at 11:40 AM

Maybe.

There were SEVERAL other factors that led to UM going 8-5 that year and half of it had to do with the coaches Johnson was forced to retain as OC and DC. But IF Diaz can do what Jimmy did then after three years we will all forget and forgive the Gatah loss to start 2019.

That's a pretty big IF.

But for now we will choose to remain hopeful with a slight tendency towards the positive side of things.

[solarcane]

soup,
I'm digging your positive vibe my friend we have suffered toooo long

Dam whoever recruits the Duck cheerleaders year in and year out should get the biggest bonus in football.

[86Cane]

BTW...saw the coolest castle of all time in Koblenz Germany today. It was built in the 1200s and we took a guided 2 hour tour of the inside of it. Nothing has changed since the original castle was built. Simply amazing, words and pictures cannot do it justice.

There were no penalties, no turnovers, nobody booed and they served cold beer. It was better than football and quite refreshing! I am really starting to dig this traveling and historical sites thingy.

[solarcane]

FSU averaging 14 yds a play against Boise, OC doing his job.

[BigWindyCane]

FSU averaging 14 yds a play against Boise, OC doing his job.

Posted by: solarcane | August 31, 2019 at 01:00 PM

Yep. It’s early, but FSU looks like a different team. It appears we will have a tough opponent in Tallahassee this season.

[AeroCane]

Big windy - we barely beat the worst FSU team in recent memory in Miami - so you think we will have ‘a tough opponent in Tallahassee’ this year - lol

[AeroCane]

After watching some games and thinking about opening games - why would anyone want to play a highly rated opponent in week 1 - I know it’s fun and exciting but it’s better to ease into the season with a win. We can spin it all different ways, new coaching staff, new quarterback, etc - bottom
Line we are effing 0-1 while at this time FSU whose playing an average at best team, and should be 1-0.

[AeroCane]

Let me restate - they are playing a very slow poor team Bot average at best

[solarcane]

aero how would you like to play south carolinas schedule they play

Alabama
Georgia
Clemson
Texas AM
Florida
Kentucky
'
thats 6 losses for us and maybe 60 70 sacks lol

[AeroCane]

Solar
I would be thinking - there will most likely be next season! Lol
But even though I don’t know the first thing about SC, if they don’t get overwhelmed by the enormity of the 6 games, and take it game by game, they will most likely win a few of them and maybe even upset 1

[solarcane]

I would be thinking -

"there will most likely be next season!"

Posted by: AeroCane | August 31, 2019 at 02:00 PM

I was thinking maybe that would replace
" Its all about The U"
for awhile but i am cautiously optimistic now.