If you do not know the right question to ask, it becomes really hard to find the correct answer. There are many questions surrounding your Miami Hurricanes latest late season collapse, and trust me it was a total and complete collapse.
This is leading UM fans to question "What is wrong in Coral Gables and what can be done to fix it?" Some say the answer may not easy to find. But I completely disagree. The evidence has been provided and the eye test doesn't lie.
First and foremost is the clearest and most obvious observation that the Miami defense is not only below avereage, or subpar or completely ineffective, but is actually worse than that. It was putrid, embarassing and humiliating.
Guidry must be gone yesterday. Anything short of that is unacceptable.
Offensively, it became completely clear after the bowl game that if the Hurricanes did not have Cam Ward at QB they would have gone 7-5 on the season. In the bowl game backup QB "Jane Doe" came in for the second half of totally unprepared and useless nonsense on offense. It was beyond sad.
In the end, it became crystal clear that Mario Cristobal is simply not the man to lead the resurrection of your Miami Hurricanes. He is so obviously incompetent in his game preparation and game management skills that it is not arguable even among even the most die hard Canes fans who bleed orange and green.
And if you are honest, then you absolutely know it is true.
So the only real question is: "Is Mario Cristobal the coach to lead Miami to their next National Championship?"
And the answer is clearly, and unequivically, no.
I agree and said the idiot Guidry should have been fired after the Cali game and freaking left in CA! But as you said, Mario is NOT the guy! We will be good with him but nothing more. Losing 2 years in a row to GT! Nothing more needs to be said! Oregon fans were right when they said they were so happy he left!
Posted by: AeroCane | December 29, 2024 at 09:52 PM
Aero,
You are to kind my man. Guidry had the first half blues all season but in the first half he managed to straighten things out somewhat at half time but the second half of the season he had no clue or did the players. A conglomeration of pure failure on both fronts coaches and players. We need to get bigger at DT and add more speed on the back end. The final grade for the Dee was an effing F.
Posted by: Herbieibis | December 29, 2024 at 11:24 PM
Home Run Article Soupster and our Special Teams aren’t so Special Either! I ain’t talking about the kickers I mean punt return and kick return it’s abysmal!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 30, 2024 at 05:11 AM
Hate to say it, but I don’t think this - “So the only real question is: "Is Mario Cristobal the coach to lead Miami to their next National Championship?"” - is the REAL question.
WHAT has to happen or change for Miami to simply win a friggin toilet bowl pop-tart crap bowl game against a lower ranked team?!? How bout simply play in the ACC champ game (a feat SMU has already accomplished)?!? Not to mention, actually WIN the ACC?!?
Can Miami elevate itself to a consistent top 12 program?!? How?!? But first, can we even be a consistent top 20 program?!?
We haven’t been in 2 decades.
I really hate to say this… but given the structure and foreseeable future of college football, I seriously doubt UM can do either. Hope I’m wrong…
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | December 30, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Hope you’re wrong, but I agree, totally. As I said before, I am 76 1/2 and wanted my canes to win it all. Guess I have to wait another year.🟩🟧💚🧡
Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | December 30, 2024 at 11:58 AM
TALLAHASSEE — Six former Florida State basketball players sued Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton on Monday, alleging he failed to make good on a promise to get each of them $250,000 in name, image and likeness compensation.
The plaintiffs — Darin Green Jr., De’Ante Green, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Josh Nickelberry, Primo Spears and Jalen Warley — filed suit in Leon County circuit court. Their attorney, Fort Lauderdale-based Darren Heitner, shared the 20-page complaint with The Associated Press. Yahoo Sports first reported the case.
The former players allege Hamilton promised them the money from his “business partners.” The lawsuit says they walked out of a practice last season over the missed payments and intended to boycott a Feb. 17 game against Duke. They ended up playing — the Seminoles lost 76-67 — amid a guarantee from Hamilton that they would be paid but never were, according to the suit.
Posted by: Old Skool | December 30, 2024 at 01:32 PM
Major college sports are becoming so mercenary, they're professional in everything but name. I'm waiting for the realtime Gofundme equivalent of a tip jar wherein if you make spectacular plays that shift they momentum of a game, you get a bonus. That's an extreme example, of course, most players would probably want to be tipped just for showing up or playing hard.
Posted by: Old Skool | December 30, 2024 at 01:39 PM
Just an FYI to the football groupies out there. If Cam Ward says "Don't worry I'll only put it in half way," Believe him.
Posted by: Old Skool | December 30, 2024 at 01:51 PM
Fire Guidry and don't renew 17's scholarship
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 30, 2024 at 01:52 PM
Some thoughts two days later.
Failure at one position can ruin the entire season. In 2018 the lack of a viable punter had an outsized effect on the season. In 2019 failures at kicker cost us at least one win, and offensive line recruiting several more. In 2022, injuries to TVD and Garcia being unable to take the next step left us with an impotent offense. In 2023, Florida's late shenanigans with Rashada robbed us of a talented backup to TVD when he was injured again.
This year we entered the season with a secondary that not only was suspect, but was extremely thin. And it cost us.
The one consolation is that this shouldn't be a problem next year. We'll go from a cornerback room that looks like this...
2024:
0.9456 Robert Stafford
0.9268 Damari Brown
0.8900 Daryl Porter Jr.
0.8878 Ryan Mack
0.8800 Ja'Dais Richard
0.8744 OJ Frederique Jr
0.8600 Dyoni Hill
2025:
0.9305 Jaboree Antoine
0.9268 Damari Brown
0.9221 Chris Ewald
0.9000 Charles Brantley
0.9000 Emmanuel Karnley
0.8975 Amari Wallace
0.8878 Ryan Mack
0.8800 Ja'Dais Richard
0.8744 OJ Frederique Jr
0.8600 Dyoni Hill
Looking back at recruiting over the last ten years, you can see where the shortfalls took place.
Blue Chip Recruiting (CB)
2016: (1) Adrian Colbert
2017: (2) Trajan Brandy, Jhavonte Dean
2018: (2) Al Blades, DJ Ivey
2019: (2) Christian Williams, Te'Coury Couch
2020: (1) Isaiah Dunson
2021: None
2022: (2) Khamauri Rogers, Chris Graves
2023: (4) Davonte Brown, Robert Stafford, Damari Brown, Jaden Davis
2024: None
2025: (5) Jaboree Antoine, Chris Ewald, Amari Wallace, Charles Brantley, Emmanuel Karnley
Looking back at the list above, we had misfires where players like Christian Williams, Khamauri Rogers, and Davonte Brown departed after just one season. Jaden Davis only had one year of elibigility when signed.
Safety has been a similar pain point. We've added a blue chip freshman in Bryce Fitzgerald and a blue chip transfer in Zechariah Poyser, but we need at least one more body. Blue chip recruiting has been even more dismal at this position in the last ten years with the exception of 2021:
2016: None
2017: None
2018: (2) Gurvan Hall, Gilbert Frierson
2019: (2) Keontra Smith, Bubba Bolden
2020: (2) Avantae Williams, Jalen Harrell
2021: (2) James Williams, Kam Kinchens
2022: (1) Markeith Williams
2023: None
2024: (1) Zaquan Patterson
2025: (2) Bryce Fitzgerald, Zecharia Pouyser
Some other interesting facts:
Youth - Miami had a younger team than every ACC opponent that they faced this season
Average Miami player experience: 1.81 years
Opponents was 2.05 years
More Youth - Here's how many 1st and 2nd year players have been on Miami over the last ten years, and their percentage of overall blue chip players that were on the roster each year:
2016: 41 (13 blue chips), 17% of all blue chips
2017: 39 (17 blue chips), 22% of all blue chips
2018: 48 (24 blue chips), 29% of all blue chips
2019: 42 (21 blue chips), 27% of all blue chips
2020: 40 (17 blue chips), 22% of all blue chips
2021: 44 (24 blue chips), 26% of all blue chips
2022: 34 (23 blue chips), 27% of all blue chips
2023: 37 (24 blue chips), 28% of all blue chips
2024: 46 (26 blue chips), 30% of all blue chips
2025: 48 (28 blue chips), 31% of all blue chips
Posted by: TonyCane | December 30, 2024 at 02:54 PM
I really hate to say this… but given the structure and foreseeable future of college football, I seriously doubt UM can do either. Hope I’m wrong…
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | December 30, 2024 at 11:25 AM
As long as the NIL flows, Miami will have a chance. But it's all contingent on good quarterback play. And if not for Florida's antics with Rashada, we would have likely seen him on Saturday after Cam stepped out.
Posted by: TonyCane | December 30, 2024 at 02:57 PM
"To be [a top tier FB program], or not to be [an annual disappointment]? THAT is the question.
"Whether 'tis nobler in the mind [of the UM fan base] to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous [NIL and transfer portal] fortune, or to take arms against a sea of [college FB] troubles, and by [recruiting and better coaching] end them?" That TOO is the question!
Posted by: X | December 30, 2024 at 03:12 PM
Posted by: TonyCane | December 30, 2024 at 02:57 PM
TC - I respect your knowledge, research, & opinion above almost all others. But isn’t Rashada the guy who jilted us for UF $$, ended up at AZ St for 1 season where he managed to start like 2 games, and now is 3rd string at UGA? His “journey” is the perfect example of the challenges UM now faces and ultimately how we failed. uF’s antics are just the new normal. But, maybe he still ends up playing in orange & green one day after he gets tired of riding Georgia’s bench?
I’ll stay eternally optimistic but have a lot of doubts we can consistently compete with the top 15 year in year out.
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | December 31, 2024 at 08:00 AM
Miami is firing DC Lance Guidry
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 31, 2024 at 10:43 AM
Ohio's John Hauser did a great job this year with their defense and has been steadily been given more responsibilities in that program over the last few years.
Other good smaller school coordinators have already been musical chairs out of their previous jobs. Randy Shannon, come on, back, down? Defense wasn't good enough to promote from within this season.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | December 31, 2024 at 01:20 PM
Posted by: TonyCane | December 30, 2024 at 02:57 PM
TC - I respect your knowledge, research, & opinion above almost all others. But isn’t Rashada the guy who jilted us for UF $$, ended up at AZ St for 1 season where he managed to start like 2 games, and now is 3rd string at UGA? His “journey” is the perfect example of the challenges UM now faces and ultimately how we failed. uF’s antics are just the new normal. But, maybe he still ends up playing in orange & green one day after he gets tired of riding Georgia’s bench?
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | December 31, 2024 at 08:00 AM
Yes, he left us. But in 2022, Florida's offer of $14.3M over four years was so above and beyond what had EVER been offered before in the budding NIL era that I can't blame him for jumping. He would have been the highest paid player by far in CFB.
Then of course, cooler heads at Florida prevailed and they realized that if Rashada was getting $14.3M, what would Lagway command the following year? So Florida withdrew the offer at the last moment. (https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40190447/jaden-rashada-florida-gators-nil-lawsuit-next)
Rashada had burned his bridge with Miami and went to Arizona State for no NIL. He played reasonably well for them in his freshman year in three games:
44-82, 485 yards, 4TDs, 3 INTs
Then using that as a sample of work, he signed with Georgia in 2024. He'll presumably will be the backup next season.
Posted by: TonyCane | December 31, 2024 at 04:21 PM
Jaden Harris entered the portal. Please say it isn't so.
Posted by: Old Skool | December 31, 2024 at 06:56 PM
Well the kid definitely wasn't a safety, so he took one for the team and take it he did. Sucked at safety.
Mario should of fired Guidry after the last regular season game. What was he hoping for a miracle?
Posted by: Herbieibis | January 01, 2025 at 03:06 PM
ASU was down but showed a lot of grit and determination.....missed 2 FGs missed some red zone opportunities....the referees didn't have the guts (or something else) to call that targeting call....it would have given them an opportunity to win it! That's the bias and all the money in CFB now TX had to win....they were not that good, and ASU played tough...cam Skattebo is one tough kid...Sam Leavett QB hung tough as well!
OSU hate them....but man they are tough as hell on D no doubt, and can score....31-0 4:00 left in 2nd...whew....tough one to come back in when you are down that much...Oregon has no answers...small...fast but small they are getting manhandled!!!!!
Happy New Year to all be safe hope it will be great for each of you!
Posted by: VA Cane | January 01, 2025 at 06:28 PM
OSU gave up a TD, but roaring right back scoring again. I do not like them at all, but as players I respect them. Their D is the best in the country; they are tough as nails hit hard, use hands, hands up on passes....beautiful fundamentals it wins ballgames. Their offense is pretty good as well....they can run nd pass it. QB is not spectacular....but he manages the attack, and gets it to their playmakers.
I am not awarding them the title, but they will be very hard to beat; if they are on like today, it is a big mountain to climb.
Can you imagine us lining up against them?....what a slaughter it would have been...2025 will be a different season for us; lost a lot of players, especially QB and WR.....could be a back to normal year like a 6-6 season for us!
I cannot see Williams as starting QB....he was terrible!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | January 01, 2025 at 07:55 PM
He gone!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 01, 2025 at 09:24 PM
VA Cane I was texting with a buddy during that game and we both agreed it was targeting. And I also thought it was a mistake for ASU to run that blitz on 4th down. I usually hate zone defense, but if there was ever a time to run a zone it was on 4th and long.
Anyway I hate OSU, but I hope they beat Texas.
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | January 01, 2025 at 11:38 PM
And Happy New Year Canespace peeps!
Go ‘canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | January 01, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Jaden Harris entered the portal. Please say it isn't so.
Posted by: Old Skool | December 31, 2024 at 06:56 PM
--------------------------------------
Assuming sarcasm here?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 02, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Ohio
I sure hope so! He was terrible
Branch, wr from usc is visiting today. Automatically becomes our fastest and most dynamic playmaker IF we get him and IF we use him correctly
Posted by: AeroCane | January 02, 2025 at 03:20 PM
Agreed Sota, if you are gonna blitz you better get there...and they did not. The safety let him run right by him then tried to catch him...I zone it with 7 and tell my big boys pressure....it should have been easily defended but was not.
I thought a couple of our guys snuck onto the ASU team....that looked like a U coverage!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | January 02, 2025 at 04:09 PM
Texas got their home cooking yesterday on the targeting call no doubt; I think ASU would have momentum and would have won!!!
ND those f**king Catholics got 2 calls right off....you hit that extended leg its roughing every time....that's an injury waiting to happen...they did it twice....I guarentee you if that was UM.....we get the 15 right off the bat!!!! Would not have taken a second punt attempt!
Posted by: VA Cane | January 02, 2025 at 04:25 PM
Georgia had a good run, but they were not going to beat a veteran ND team with a backup QB and a porous o-line. And I’m glad they lost. I hope the Chiefs lose at some point as well!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | January 02, 2025 at 08:06 PM
I hate dynasties unless it’s one of my favorite teams!😂
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | January 02, 2025 at 08:13 PM
Watch Manny coach a great game. Al Golden did.
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | January 02, 2025 at 08:19 PM
Kid transferred from Indiana to Ole Miss, now he’s gonna transfer back to Indiana. It’s over guys. College football has jumped the shark.
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | January 02, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Kid transferred from Indiana to Ole Miss, now he’s gonna transfer back to Indiana. It’s over guys. College football has jumped the shark.
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | January 02, 2025 at 10:00 PM
There IT is right there.
What if a player jumps from one team, say UF to FSU or Michigan to Ohio State, for one year and then returns to their former school knowing all of the playbook and play calls and signs from the school they spent one year at. High paid spies?
Posted by: 86Cane | January 03, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Happy January, Canespacers!🩷 Can’t believe that we are kind of empty in the gas tank! Going to be 77 this year, getting chemo soon, and hope for the best. I always looked forward to watching our Canes, but that looks dismal, too! The world is going to hell in a handcart with out our Canes being top notch.
What is the answer? At least I am in Florida,, for the winter, where it is nice and warm.🩷 How’s the weather where you live??
I will keep you posted about my chemo.
Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | January 03, 2025 at 04:16 PM
Last few days we add on Isaiah Thomas, Dhoni Hill and now Shemar Kirk into the portal
Posted by: JCane | January 03, 2025 at 06:02 PM
Just got a commitment from tcu center James Brockermeyer - an excellent 1 yr replacement for carpenter to transition to the new center who signed with us!
Posted by: AeroCane | January 03, 2025 at 07:15 PM
Keep getting rid of the excess fat, which shouldn't have been here to begin with. We need some corners in at least the 195 range.
Hill looked like he weighed 180, maybe.
Posted by: Herbieibis | January 04, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Just got a commitment from TE Alex Bauman a transfer from Tulane. 6’5, 245 and will be a great compliment to 6’1 Lofton
Posted by: AeroCane | January 04, 2025 at 01:12 PM
Guess who’s visiting SMU? Tyler van Dyke He’s back in the portal again after a season ending injury looking to capture the magic again with Rhett
Posted by: Old Skool | January 04, 2025 at 05:02 PM
Another one:
Per 247:
‘On Saturday, former Washington State cornerback Ethan O'Connor announced that he is transferring to Miami. The 6-foot-1, 174-pounder intercepted four passes and broke up 12 passes as a redshirt freshman for the Cougars in 2024. One of those interceptions was returned 60-yards for a touchdown.
O'Connor, who also took visits to Oklahoma, Georgia, UCLA, and Colorado, is considered the No. 13 cornerback in the 247Sports Transfer Portal Rankings.’
Posted by: AeroCane | January 04, 2025 at 05:03 PM
Riley Williams goes to Oregon State, former Cane Jayden Wayne enters the portal again (from U Wash), and the Browns fire Ken Dorsey.
Posted by: JCane | January 05, 2025 at 02:07 PM
I’d like Wayne to come back with a new DC! Maybe he can use Wayne’s talents better than Guidry (since Guidry pretty much had everyone out of position (ie square pegs in round holes; rather than putting guys in positions to succeed)
Posted by: AeroCane | January 05, 2025 at 02:12 PM
Rashada in da portal again.
Posted by: Herbieibis | January 05, 2025 at 04:09 PM
Could the Canes use Dorsey, in some way?? I saw him play in Syracuse years ago. One of the best complicated throws that I have ever seen.
Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | January 05, 2025 at 04:12 PM
It looks like these dudes hopping in and out of the portal are looking for a hand out. Don't want to work for a position. Take the dough and run. Needs to be a rule that if you sign, you get a feebie the first time, the second venture into the portal, unless you have graduated, you should have to sit a year.
Posted by: Herbieibis | January 05, 2025 at 04:13 PM
Branch bros commit to Ga. Lucas was supposedly held out of the portal due to questions of tampering according to Wisky coach Fickell. Indications that Lucas will finally enter soon and like commit to the U
Posted by: Old Skool | January 05, 2025 at 04:41 PM
No playoffs for the Fins. Do they fire Grier and McDonald and start over (I hope so - Grier is horrible and McDaniel just isn’t the guy) or continue to be average year after year?
Posted by: AeroCane | January 05, 2025 at 05:22 PM
Aero and Sota...Dolphins are a HOT MESS.
Posted by: 58 Straight | January 05, 2025 at 06:24 PM
58
You’re correct sorry to say
Posted by: AeroCane | January 05, 2025 at 06:58 PM
Supposedly Mario's first choice to be DC, Banks of Tennessee said no
Posted by: Old Skool | January 05, 2025 at 09:27 PM
D'Yoni Hill to Wisconsin while rumors persist of UW player, Xavier Lucas, out of south FL, likely coming to the U, although beginning to get saturated in the D backfield.
Posted by: JCane | January 05, 2025 at 10:54 PM