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Are things different ?

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Cribby said:
As I said in the off-season “ this won’t be as **** but it could me more effective “
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They slowed the game down and just commenced to give body shots to the Bull****ters. Straight up bullied them and showed the whole world that USF didnt belong.
What I really loved is even after the delay, we were focused and just finished right where we left off. Bully ball. Very effective.
 
*****-Wan Kanobi said:
They slowed the game down and just commenced to give body shots to the Bull****ters. Straight up bullied them and showed the whole world that USF didnt belong.
What I really loved is even after the delay, we were focused and just finished right where we left off. Bully ball. Very effective.
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The OL especially... dog walked them in the second half...
 
BeastMode said:
Brown does not look better. Got beat multiple times already and had a dumbass penalty.
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He was literally the highest rated DB on both teams in the Notre Dame game. Second highest only behind Bain in that game. I thought that WR got away with a push off early in the route against him on that play and that same guy beat OJ for a deep catch as well. You can't win them all, but pretending he hasn't played well is weird.
 
Last year, I felt we had a team that COULD beat anyone in the country. It would probably e a shootout and require a lot of Cam Ward magic but we COULD at least compete with the very best.

This year I feel we ARE in that tiny group of top tier teams. I have a hard time saying we’re better than Oregon right now but that may be the only team in the country I can honestly say is better. And it’s not a huge gap. Ohio State’s jury is out until I see more consistency at QB. We’re better than Penn State and Georgia. Or at the very least, equal to them.

It’s 100% the defensive improvement that does it for me. I don’t have that 100% confidence in our offense blowing teams away like I had last year but it doesn’t matter because we don’t need to win 48-45 with our defense. A lot of the defensive depth is very young so it’s really important that these guys are getting reps in games against USF type opponents.

Offensively, there’s a bit of a drop off from Cam to Carson but that’s just such an impossible standard to maintain. Carson has been as good as advertised, maybe better and has all the big game experience you can ask for. The offensive line is elite. I’d love to see a healthy Jordan Lyle and JoJo Trader get into the action but even with them out, there’s rest of the skill guys have picked it up.

Like any team, some key injuries could kill our season but right now, I love the way these guys handle business
 
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Cribby said:
Unlike past years, there are multiple older guys on both sides of the ball who are also high-character individuals — not just a few scattered here and there.
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This part has become especially evident with the WRs and Safeties. The staff did a great job in the portal not just bringing in experience, but bringing in the right guys with experience to mix with the young guys and it is paying dividends big time.
 
JHallCanes said:
We had a couple hiccups on defense with getting aligned but honestly to me Golesh seemed so desperate to make something happen that he cared more about getting us a penalty or catching us off guard than making an actual play
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JHallCanes said:
We had a couple hiccups on defense with getting aligned but honestly to me Golesh seemed so desperate to make something happen that he cared more about getting us a penalty or catching us off guard than making an actual play
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Not a whole lot you can do when you’re getting whipped up front.
 
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Cribby said:
The last few years, I’ve become more pessimistic, and it’s been even longer since I allowed myself to have any delusional thoughts. But after yesterday, I feel a little delusion forming in the back of my brain — and I’m wondering if it’s warranted. I’m seeing a lot of things I haven’t seen in a very long time, so I’m going to point out a handful of things that look different.

1. Communication on both sides of the ball is phenomenal, especially compared to previous years. Last year’s defense was easily the worst combination of poor tackling, busted coverages, and lack of communication I’ve ever seen.

This season, the guys are lined up and talking pre-snap — and by the time the ball is snapped, everyone’s on the same page. That’s a big improvement over being misaligned and still communicating as the ball is snapped.

Heatherman has preached communication and simplifying things, and he’s been as close to perfect as you can ask for. Simply knowing your assignment and getting the play in quickly sets everything in motion — and he does that. Through three games, he deserves an A.

2. Complimentary football and all three phases working together.
Aside from the hold against ND, special teams and coverage have been drastically better. Marion brings a dimension we haven’t had in a while, in addition to being a solid gimmick guy and improved WR.

It’s nice not having to see one phase carry the other two — or constantly needing one unit to play a perfect game to have a shot. Most good teams have this balance, and we finally do too.

3. Leadership, chemistry, and full buy-in.
Unlike past years, there are multiple older guys on both sides of the ball who are also high-character individuals — not just a few scattered here and there.

It feels like this team really cares and wants to be great. It’s easily the most bought-in group since maybe 2017. Most of the guys genuinely seem happy for each other’s success.

Going back a few years, it seemed like guys cared more about the perks of playing at UM than actually winning. After games, it felt like a race to see who could get out of the locker room first to go party.

4. Quality coordinators on both sides of the ball.
This is a major reason we’re finally playing complimentary football. Heatherman has already gotten his flowers in this thread, and Dawson continues to improve year after year.

Both coaches are excellent at simplifying things while still having the ability to out-scheme opponents. Mario has finally built a complete, high-quality staff.

5. A real jolt of energy from the young guys.
This is the first time in forever that we’ve had this many young players logging key snaps — and mature enough to handle it. Toney, Moore, Fitzgerald, and one who hasn’t played much but was an absolute steal: Mr. Antione.

The speed with which he’s come back from a major injury is incredible — and he looks like a prototype future lockdown guy.

Blount is technically a freshman since he reclassified, so I’d throw him in this group too. Lowe would’ve been another big one. That was a huge loss.

6. Physicality at the line of scrimmage and a culture shift.
The team culture and physicality at the LOS have made Miami a bully again. Mario has completely changed the mindset, and the players have taken on his personality.

They’re ready to scrap it out in the parking lot and are fine with bloodying their noses. At one point, I thought that identity was gone forever — but being tough and physical is now the brand again.

So I guess what I’m saying is... I’m starting to feel like I’m setting myself up to be hurt again, lol. But something feels different this time compared to past years.

The next step is to keep the focus and be ready to take everyone’s best shot. I now expect to beat UF and ND — but it’s those random 12 p.m. road games against mediocre teams that still worry me. That’ll be the dragon that needs slayed.
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Only comment- self control vs stupid penalties.
 
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