FL Cane
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- Joined
- Aug 26, 2018
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- 3,752
Unfortunately, much like 14 out of the last 15 seasons, Miami's season ends as a failure. A two-game losing streak and error-plagued bowl loss to cap off 2020. Obviously, 8-3 is far better than 6-7, but we lost to every team at or beyond or level of talent. Trending in the right direction, yes, but in the context of this season a failure nonetheless. Overall, here are four reasons why we lost, and immediate changes needed for 2021.
- Defense: You don't go down 21-0 and typically win a game. Credit to our guys for fighting back and not throwing in the towel, but they still gave up 37 points. Our DL woke up as the game went on, but our secondary was atrocious. LB play was subpar as usual.
- Dee Wiggins: Unfortunately, he was a drop machine today and couldn't make a play when it counted. I always wish our players the best and all the success in the world, but there's no reason he should take a snap here as a starting WR moving forward.
- Mark Pope: Like Wiggins, he was a drop machine. He makes that catch at the end of the game and we're at least in OT. He's just not panned out as a prospect, and shouldn't take another snap here as a starting WR.
- Referees: Jimmy Johnson always used to say we'd have to beat our opponent and the refs. Today was no different. Multiple phantom flags were thrown, a mind-boggling reversal on the two-point conversion that was in no way conclusive, and not even a review for the tipped ball on the pic. If we get the two points or the pic, as we should have, this is a completely different game. I've never used the refs as a reason before, but tonight's officiating was horrendous.
- Dismiss the Defensive Staff: Overall, Miami lost three games this season because of horrendous defensive performances. We were outcoached and outschemed in all these losses. Blake Baker is not a P5 Defensive Coordinator. Neither of our assistants would have their same job at a comparable P5 program. Like with the offense, Manny needs to wipe the slate clean and start over on the defense. This decision will determine Manny's future in Miami. If he keeps Baker he will go the way of Golden, if he dismisses him he'll show that he's ready to do whatever it takes to win.
- Completely Change Up the WR Room: As I said above, Wiggins and Pope shouldn't be starting WR's at Miami, and if they are next season we will lose games. We need guys like Payton, Redding, Restrepo, and Smith to be given way more playing time. Doesn't matter if Pope, Wiggins, etc. are Green Tree All Americans. If they don't produce on game day, we need to give our young talent a chance. Our staff's refusal to pull WR's when they constantly drop passes enables a zero accountability culture and costs us games. Here's a stat that tells you all you need to know. KING had more receiving yards than Pope and Wiggins. Our starting QB that GOT INJURED IN THE 2Q of the game, had more receiving yards than our two starting WR's.
- Bring in a grad transfer at OL: This has been an issue for more than a decade. Our OL will remain a massive liability until we get the personnel in the trenches that can help us take the next step. This OL was better than last year's, Justise inherited the worst OL group in P5, but we have a ways to go.
- Convince Impact Players to Stay Another Year: Diaz and Lashlee did a great job bringing back King, but we've got to convince others to stay. No reason why Brevin and Bolden shouldn't come back, for example. They'd massively increase their draft stock and have a shot at playing in some huge games next year.
- Tell Some Players to Move On: The staff needs to have a frank conversation with some of our 2020 starters and let them know that despite an extra year of eligibility, they won't get playing time. They can either take their chance at the NFL, or transfer to another university. We can't occupy scholarship spots and field starters that have proven time and again that they will be average at best.
