For the past twenty years, Miami has collapsed in November. We are 0-2. At least we don't have to talk about our chances to win the Coastal anymore.
Yesterday's performance was not bad. Miami had a chance to tie at the end, on the road, without the benefit of a single turnover. The teams were not far apart talent wise.
The problem is that the head coach and quarterback already threw away two games before this one. That's the frustration. This team is clearly improved across the board and yet we are positioned for another November nightmare. The players are deflated and the QB is spiraling. These next two games are enormous- there is a major difference between 8-4 with momentum and 6-6 with toxicity. Some specific thoughts:
- Emory Williams won over a lot of teammates with those two runs. At this point, I would project him more as an ideal game-manager backup. That doesn't mean he can't be more than that, but we need to procure a starter from the Portal.
- While the talent gap has closed (and Miami has the advantage at several spots), FSU has a major advantage in terms of impact skill. As @Cribby noted, Miami lacks difference makers and explosive players even beyond scheme issues. We need more explosive runs and one-on-one wins at WR.
- Respect to Frank Ladson for the play of his career. He went and high-pointed the onside kick and took a huge hit in the process.
- Jacolby George was probably the second-saddest person in the stadium when Emory went down. He is continuing to develop and was getting looks he doesn't see with Tyler Van Dyke. If Van Dyke is going to start salvaging his season, he will need to find George like he did against TAMU.
- Francisco Mauigoia is having a monster year. 54 tackles, 15 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and an INT. We need to keep the Poly pipeline going in the Portal.
- Damari Brown and Jadais Richard showed physical ability and hopefully gained some confidence against two future pros. Brown and Richard are huge for the future of the DB position. One or both may even grow into safeties. I expect Miami to chase an impact corner or two in the Portal.
- Mark Fletcher missed some holes yesterday. He seemed amped up. We need a bounceback next week against a Louisville team that is Top 10 against the run.
- Unless someone runs out of the back of the end zone like Dan Orlosvky, we may never see a safety again.
Yesterday's performance was not bad. Miami had a chance to tie at the end, on the road, without the benefit of a single turnover. The teams were not far apart talent wise.
The problem is that the head coach and quarterback already threw away two games before this one. That's the frustration. This team is clearly improved across the board and yet we are positioned for another November nightmare. The players are deflated and the QB is spiraling. These next two games are enormous- there is a major difference between 8-4 with momentum and 6-6 with toxicity. Some specific thoughts:
- Emory Williams won over a lot of teammates with those two runs. At this point, I would project him more as an ideal game-manager backup. That doesn't mean he can't be more than that, but we need to procure a starter from the Portal.
- While the talent gap has closed (and Miami has the advantage at several spots), FSU has a major advantage in terms of impact skill. As @Cribby noted, Miami lacks difference makers and explosive players even beyond scheme issues. We need more explosive runs and one-on-one wins at WR.
- Respect to Frank Ladson for the play of his career. He went and high-pointed the onside kick and took a huge hit in the process.
- Jacolby George was probably the second-saddest person in the stadium when Emory went down. He is continuing to develop and was getting looks he doesn't see with Tyler Van Dyke. If Van Dyke is going to start salvaging his season, he will need to find George like he did against TAMU.
- Francisco Mauigoia is having a monster year. 54 tackles, 15 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and an INT. We need to keep the Poly pipeline going in the Portal.
- Damari Brown and Jadais Richard showed physical ability and hopefully gained some confidence against two future pros. Brown and Richard are huge for the future of the DB position. One or both may even grow into safeties. I expect Miami to chase an impact corner or two in the Portal.
- Mark Fletcher missed some holes yesterday. He seemed amped up. We need a bounceback next week against a Louisville team that is Top 10 against the run.
- Unless someone runs out of the back of the end zone like Dan Orlosvky, we may never see a safety again.
