If U Only Had A Crystal Ball

When the 2022 college football season started, University of Miami football fans we ecstatic and overly enthusiastic for Mario Cristobal's first season as the Hurricanes head coach. Many, if not most UM fans, gazed into their crystal balls and boldly predicted a 10 win season under the experienced Cristobal.

After all, Mario was a hometown hero and had cut his chops first at FIU and then very successfully at Oregon as the lead dog. He was the next in a long line of "can't miss" head coach hires at UM. He was given a seemingly unlimited budget to hire the best, brightest and most illustrious group of coaches and support staff ever assembled at Miami. In theory at least.

But it wasn't long into the season that troubling signs showed up in the waters in South Florida. Once there was blood in the water the sharks started circling.

Tyler Van Dyke, last year's star QB and alledged high NFL draft pick and potential 2022 Heisman candidate, a player who finished the 2021 season with six straight games with over 300 yards and three TDs per game, looked lost and confused in Josh Gattis' new offense. It wasn't long until he was replaced by the turnover prone Jake "The Snake" Garcia and then Freshman Jacurri Brown. It made no differnce as the offensive struggles continued in spite of the changes.

The much maligned UM defense apparently couldn't get on the same page and subsequently started giving up points like parents hand out candy on halloween. The old nemesis of poor tackling and the inability to get off the field on third down managed to stick around right through all of the coaching changes. Lacking fundamentals, the defense was easily challenged by any team with even a glimmer of offense and often succumbed to their opponent's attack.

Early season losses to Middle Tennessee State University and Duke were inexcusable and simply unacceptable. A late season loss to Clemson was probably understandble, but mid-season meltdown led to UM getting blown out by FSU 45-3 at home. It was the biggest home loss margin is series history for the Hurricanes and an shocking, back breaking loss.

So your Miami Hurricanes now have one game left on their schedule against Pittsburg at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday at 8 PM. UM must win to become bowl eligible, and even if they do, their 6-6 record will be worse than last year's 7-5 posting. Last year this was a game UM won on the road by the score of 38-34. This year Pitt is favored by 6.5 points with Miami playing at home.

So our collective crystal balls for 2022 were clearly not accurate. No, we were not even close. So now, in our moment of complete desparation, we turn to the lyrics of 80's rock band Styx to help us through these troubling times:

Well, tell me, tell me where I'm going
I don't know where I've been
Tell me, tell me, won't you tell me
And then tell me again
My heart is breaking, my body's aching
And I don't know where to go
So tell me, tell me, won't you tell me
I've just gotta know

Crystal ball
There's so many things I need to know
Crystal ball
There's so many things I've gotta know
Crystal ball
Won't you tell me please before I go
Crystal ball

Comments

[VA Cane]

Great article well written...neatly summed up what has happened to the letter!!!!!

Thanks for using my golden word Soup...fundamentals....neither the O or D has any!!! and please remember folks...fundamentals include thinking and not committing penalties....damn if we are not on board with any fundamentals!!!!!

I thought it was at Pitt....I cannot imagine it being well attended at this point as it is not cheap to go to a game now....and at 5-6....with the season we have had, there is nothing left to play for....not even pride as I have not seen any bit of pride this season...just people sleepwalking...apathetically going through the motions both players and coaches.

with so many expected to part...and I think they will...including TVD/Michael Rapaport....there is no need to try and play in a bowl game. If you still need reps after spring practice and 12 games....damn you should be a swimmer, bballer, volleyball player, wrestler, golfer...anything but a football player because you have shown me that right now you are not one...and a handful of days is NOT gonna make you one. You need to look at yourself in the mirror and look deep into your heart...and focus on your grades and seek a new beginning in the spring when it is time. This team is done, and a bowl game is just a further source of apathy and embarrassment. My HS team is fantastic; play tomorrow with the chance to go to the State Title Div V game....and they play as if possessed...they care!...This team could beat UM right now...I haver no doubt!

I hate to be the voice of rage and ruin (Bad Moon Rising)....but the fans are in a rage and the season, coaches, staff and players are ruined. I think its best to get a fresh start in the spring...this year is done.

I just call it like I see it: honestly!

[Old Skool]

Someone had a busy and productive Thanksgiving.
In other news ... US versus England today at 2:00
Hope we beat the UnionJackoffs.

[JCane]

Jalen Harrell and Key'Shawn Washington have now officially announced they're hitting the portal, getting us up to officially 6. No shocks thus far, as neither have gotten a lot of playing time, and KW was one of the recent kids involved in the parental complaints on social media issue. I expect the other, Khaumari Rogers, to exit ultimately, too. As Tony said, 10 will be using up eligibility, so 15 have to leave/transfer to make room for the expected incoming freshman class of hopefully 25. Beyond that, the question is exactly how many more, 5, 10, 15? transfer, which both allows players who are unhappy, don't get enough playing time in their minds, don't fit the system or the culture, are told won't be a fit, etc. will leave while allowing/requiring UM to fill these gaps with incoming portal transfers. If someone were more of a MC optimist, this could be viewed as filling gaps for the present while building depth with players who are more likely to be a better fit for this team's future. Of course, using the players you have to maximize your present results is on the coaches.

Hope all had a nice Thanksgiving.

[360Cane]

[]_[]SA! []_[]SA! []_[]SA!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Great Article Soupster

[HerbieIbis]

I expect Redding, Smith and Brinson from the WR group.
Mamarelli and possibly Brantley from the TE group.

[VA Cane]

Perhaps if someone were more of an MC optimist they would look at it in a medical sense....this should certainly be a long deep enema to remove the sludge and slime that has been clogging the system and clinging to the walls of this program since Jan 4 2003....same promise every year, unfortunately the same results every year.

One can only hope MC has the guts to fire several coaches as it is obvious they do not have as to what they are coaching. MC seems to have lost the competitive fire that should have been built into a bonfire at Bama and burned inside at at Oregon. I saw him break bad on a kid at Ohio State last year for a late hit...he went down the sideline and chewed him out.
This year he had plenty of opportunities to do the same; I saw a lot of stupid penalties and plays....I did not see a lot of smart football. MC seemed content to fold his arms and overlook the 3 ring circus (O, D, DT) on the field...I saw no fire...just smoking ashes from a drowned fire.

I hate to be harsh, but you do not win the way this operation performed this year. I certainly did not expect a record breaking national championship this year; I could see losing to Clemson and UNC....but Duke? Middle Tennessee? unacceptable no matter what year. VT and UVA were terrible teams...and we slid by. Playing Bethune Cookman and counting that as a win in any sense is laughable...that does not count as a win. To not even remotely compete with the biggest rival in your history FSU....absolutely unacceptable.

I cannot heap false praise on this season; there were very few bright spots of note. It was a major disappointment for me; maybe some people keep those burning flames of hope alive and I applaud you for that. Maybe some people accept and enjoy mediocrity; this season was not so some folks might be a little unsettled as the program slightly slipped from the past successes of the last 19 years.
"Winning isnt everything but wanting to win is the only thing" some may remember a guy named Lombardi who said this....maybe not. There was no wanting on the field this year; none. If my honesty makes you feel bad, you should tell me so, but I have to tell the truth as it unfolded each game, and one never apoligizes for telling the truth.

If I offend I do not mean to I just have to be honest. I see no benefit in playing in a bowl game or extra practice. I will be pulling for them to win vs Pitt; despite my stance on this team, I hate losing at any level and I want them to win, so WIN! I am off to a walk through today; we have a tough game tomorrow to advance to where we want to be, we need to take care of business in this game first.
Hope you all ate well and enjoyed the day; lot of good football this weekend! Go Canes beat Pitt!

[KYcane]

this should certainly be a long deep enema to remove the sludge and slime that has been clogging the system and clinging to the walls of this program since Jan 4 2003.
Posted by: VA Cane | November 25, 2022 at 12:28 PM

Spot on Dr VA

[VA Cane]

I hate it KY....but we have heard its gonna be our year to be back...from Clappy, Onion, AlPa, CMR, Manny...and much of the press....I get the feeling we still may be on that treadmill....I want to be fair to Mario...its one year....so we have to see....but its like Tom Cruise Edge of Tomorrow....we are caught in a time loop repeatedly reliving the battle in which we have died....we died 1.3.2003 and are still dying 11.25.2022....promises of redemption and reinvigoration 19 years of the program millions of dollars poured into it...and the best you can do is this....I looked at Clappy...and yes it started sliding then...but he won 80% of his games, a NC, got cheated out of another, and was 4-2 in bowl games...should have been 5-1....since the Fiesta, we have won about 61% of our games...4-11 in bowls...Clap won 3...since Clappy left we have won about 61% of our games 1-10 in bowls....thats bad....it hurts...but its reality....

KY...do me a favor....please use your Dumpster Fire avatar...just once for old times...

[Old Skool]

USA soccer team just kissed their sisters. Tied England 0 -0. The stats 10 shots on goal for US 9 for the Brits 7 corners for the US. 3 for King Chuck's team. US was dominant offensively but couldn't score. Which also describes my high school dating.

[VA Cane]

Well the English took a knee supposedly for a stand about social justice...right!...to me it was just an admission that America has been, is, and always will be a far superior country to Great Britain....cause we kicked the hell out of your AZZES starting in 1775, declared our independence on July 4 1776, and finished your AZZES off October 19, 1781.....in Yorktown VA....Virginia where independence was won!

Virginia home of the Greatest 4 Horsemen in American History....Washington Jefferson Madison Monroe...the real Mount Rushmore of America....no state can match these 4 men...no state....we would still be a colony instead of America without them!

Stand for your Flag your Country your Troops....Great Britain...LOSERS! I was so proud of our guys for not crumbling under pressure on the international stage!

Kick Out The Jams MF!!!!! and FJB!!!!!

[VA Cane]

Look at NCSU....QB hurt... injuries....tough time...but they find a way through teamwork and the Want to win vs their biggest rival UNC...with a kid who has never started a game...and our All
American throws for close to 500 yards 3 TDs....and we cannot win!
"Winning isnt everything Wanting to win is THE only thing!" Vincent Thomas Lombardi

NCSU wanted to win....and did....we do not want to win...it takes too much effort...IJS

[86Cane]

ook at NCSU....QB hurt... injuries....tough time...but they find a way through teamwork and the Want to win vs their biggest rival UNC...with a kid who has never started a game.

Posted by: VA Cane | November 25, 2022 at 07:41 PM

I have been trying to tell EVERYONE who will listen but NOBODY seems to be listening. People act like Miami is the ONLY team that has injuries. Look at NCST they were decimated and on their 4th string QB and still beat UNC at home.

There were 14 first year Power 5 college football coaches this year. Nine helped improve their teams SIGNIFICANTLY. Five did not. Mario is ONE of the five. Article to follow.

[VA Cane]

Hey boss,

I listen to you....always....thats why you and I may be considered negative nancys....but we look at facts...they hurt....but are real...look at FSU...down lately....but still find a way...if you look deep...believe..and never quit...its amazing what happens! IJS

[VA Cane]

something has been so amiss since that fateful day..1.3.2003....I mean this is what I do besides appraising and rock and roll and kids and grandkids....reality..what a concept...Thanks Boss we get it!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Anyways The Basketball Teams keep rolling along. Go Canes! My Focus is on them and the Teams that actually worth a Damn. Thank You Soupster for posting about our Canes Hoops Team. I rather focus on Teams worth a damn than continuously pissing and moaning weekly about out underperformed and overrepported Football Team. The Truth Hurts!

[HerbieIbis]

Well, down to their 3rd or 4th string QB they scored points, something we are Totally against, well touchdowns anyway!
Once again tonight we will probably struggle again to move the ball and wonder how do other teams suffer the same fate we have with injuries and still find ways to move the ball.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

"Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | November 26, 2022 at 05:01 AM"

I miss the clown ring of the circus complaining about coaching be the reason the basketball team wasn't winning enough though, you always need comedy routines that bomb on stage after all.

UCF is nicked up in the front court so Miami might be able to lean on them with some depth in order to counteract the Golden Knights size advantage in the post and rebounding on the offensive glass. Staying out of foul trouble and avoiding putting the home team in the bonus is going to be key to be able to wear them down with waves of bench depth however.

Watson looks like he can be really good really soon if not a core rotation player next year for certain.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Yessir OGV appreciate your Analysis on Our Basketball Team. Go Canes!

[VA Cane]

Glad hoops are doing well...need something to keep the U a proud program. Coach L does a great job despite not having top recruits....he is a good coach...kids play hard for him and themselves...pride!!!!!!
The want to win...it matters

[VA Cane]

OSU Michigan....this is big time football...no matter who you like or so not like...this is what its about...100,000 wild fans noise excitement great O and D.....this is what I want to see in a ball game....picture is terrible for some reason..but its a barn burner...MI 31 OSU 20....sad how so many teams are down...but get the right guy and come back to prominence...hope we have the right guy but time will tell...this is what big time football is all about!!!!

[VA Cane]

Michigan crushes OSU....great game til end...MI took control....We get blown out at Clemson...SC beats them at clemson....after Edgar Winters albino son spencer Rattler throws a pick 6...threw 2 picks but also 2 TDs and 360 yards...Clemson QB dude with funny name had 99 yds passing...he is terrible boy its amazing who can win...and we cannot beat anybody...especially a good team....FSU beat FL.....boy didnt take them long to get it back together...its all about coaching and recruiting good players who want to win

[KYcane]

KY...do me a favor....please use your Dumpster Fire avatar...just once for old times...

Posted by: VA Cane | November 25, 2022 at 03:56 PM

Here ya go brotherman! Bring marshmallows

[VA Cane]

Thank you my friend, it is greatly appreciated....It is so true and fitting to where we are...and where we have been sin 1.3.2003...oh there have been glimpses of a return...CMR had a really nice season...then its back to the ditches and ruts...

we do have a reason to be happy today....Clemson had a 40 game streak....and had a shot at it...but not now...Thank you Spencer Rattler and The SC Gamecocks!!!!

Lets work hard to win tonight...think about what you are doing...can I say...execute the fundamentals quickly and properly and everything else will fall into place!

[VA Cane]

Sorry...didnt elaborate...Clemson had a 40 game home win streak....hoping to beat the 58 we had at the grand old lady OB....so they could keep it going if they had won...but SC dropped them...Boy I wish the good old days at the OB...it was certainly an advantage..

[Sarasota 'cane]

Hypothetical…Does Oregon win if Mario is still coaching the Ducks?

[86Cane]

Hypothetical…Does Oregon win if Mario is still coaching the Ducks?

Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | November 26, 2022 at 07:24 PM

Yes, most likely.

Non-Hypothetical...Does Miami lose to its main rival FSU 45-3 in Mario's first year?

[KYcane]

Hypothetical…Does Oregon win if Mario is still coaching the Ducks?

Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | November 26, 2022 at 07:24 PM

Is Oregon winning with Mario’s players

[Sarasota 'cane]

Is Oregon winning with Mario’s players

Posted by: KYcane | November 26, 2022 at 07:39 PM

They were. Oregon blew a 31-10 lead. And Oregon State only had 6 completion’s. What a meltdown!

[VA Cane]

Well I dont know...Oregons STs were really bad...let them back in the game....and they could not stop the run...Oregon State did not throw a pass in the final 20 minutes... and Nix is...an average QB...they are a better team than us...but similar..we dont stop the run, we dont think...and we have average QBs...By the way, Highland Springs Springers my HS team advanced to semis in VA Div 5 with a 35-0 win over LC Bird...I coached there a few years ago...

Talked to a good friend who coaches there after the game...he is huge UM fan...and we both felt that TVD/Rapaport had a nice year last year, but the change in offense, film availability on him, a weak OL. and reading the clippings and hearing AND believing the praise heaped on him for 1 good year that he had come to siteth at the right hand of GTFA and that HE...not TB was the all time GOAT...now. He is good but is he an NFL QB...we decided not yet not close...and as UM fans...this scheme and OL is killing him. We both agree that the OC really killed his game...and we both think if they keep this assclown TVD/Rapaport should hit the portal and not look back...
Watching ACC Huddle before game...and all agree FSU is back...wore our asses out embarrassed us...dropped FL...they are back and at 9-3 can win 10 this year...and they are throwing it around...and being back throwing the ball...great recruiting tools...even Richt felt they have turned the corner....2017 they were 7-6...18 19 20 21...bad...but they roared back this year

They also say does UM want to play do they care does it matter...said there are guys hitting the portal...and is the locker room motivated...or not care?...Interesting conversations today for me...MC got a lot of work to do, lot of decisions....need a lot of hot water, mops, bleach and buckets...the shit smells and there is a lot of cleaning up to do....

Hope we do see some effort tonight!

[YooperCane]

Wow! Man! All the missed tackles!! This damn D sucks ass!

[YooperCane]

14 already and the 1st half hasn’t even ended. WTF!

[YooperCane]

The D is absolutely trash, can’t even protect the QB. Why we can’t have a balanced game game on both sides of the ball just baffles me. They talk about the star coaching staff we have and can’t do shit. Other teams with less talent on the field and coaches are getting it done.

[AeroCane]

Too bad Ruiz didn’t have the foresight to get Riley rather than Mario. But since we’re stuck with Mario, he needs to fire Steele and gattis right after this game! This is not Miami nor sFl football - we need to play aggressive and fast and have fun and I’m seeing none of those
So sad

[VA Cane]

Pretty rough night so far...lotta mistakes...even commentators said on several runs...lotta missed tackles....frustrating....

[YooperCane]

We just can’t get a break, this game is going to get away from us!

[YooperCane]

It looks like the Canes don’t give a fuck about the outcome of the game.

[YooperCane]

The absolutely looks defeated on the sidelines. It’s a deep hole to get out of. Don’t think that any adjustments will matter after halftime.

[YooperCane]

These Canes stink!!

[StillBasura]

Name a team worse than Miami in all of college football right now. Find one win we could get.

[YooperCane]

For those that defend the Canes are delusional. I love my Canes but I will call a spade a spade. This team is absolutely garbage on both sides of the ball. There is absolutely nothing to hang are hats on, I would be glad to be a senior and get the fuck out of here. They are wiping our asses up and down the field. They have nothing to be upset about. Pitt is playing to win and we are not doing shit to win. Fuck this shit!

[YooperCane]

Stillbasura. We are still basura! PERIOD!

[MLALUMNI 1970]

Must be all the coaches. Can’t be just the kids. Turning it off. Too sad.

[VA Cane]

So SC beats Clemson...and TAMU is beating LSU....hard to figure huh? We got crushed by Clemson, and I think if we played LSU we would get killed....we got beat by TAMU...now they are beating LSU....SC beat UT then Clemson ...8-4...Shane Beamer got them playing well....its so sad to be so bad....we are playing bad football...
so the question is...do we make adjustments...trust the process like AlPa said...and come back in the second half to win?

[YooperCane]

South Carolina can fight to take down Goliath and they do! They do it at Death Valley! Do they have more talent in players and coaches or do the have the fighting heart to do so? Our players don’t have the heart nor the coaching staff to do so.. IMO.

[StillBasura]

Our talent has been and is a GIANT myth. Yes, SC has more talent and superior coaching

[YooperCane]

The quarterback situation sucks

[StillBasura]

I’m encouraged by Brown

[VA Cane]

Another Sat embarrassment 35-3 and counting....can you imagine this team going and playing in a bowl....a fish bowl a soup bowl a reefer bowl...a toilet bowl...thats it!!!!!

[KYcane]

Our talent has been and is a GIANT myth.

Posted by: StillBasura | November 26, 2022 at 10:01 PM

Gonna agree with that 100%