OK, so Im back at my room at Quality Inn -- which isn't the highest quality, but not the lowest quality place I've ever stayed at. It's actually decent quality for what I need this weekend (a place to be keep my stuff inside and take a shower). Im sure by now you've heard every opinion/statement on Miami's loss to SMU. Since some of you asked, you shall receive...
- Forget the loss today, it goes beyond that. There are deeper seeded problems with this program and Cristobal. I'll say this again, the way he approaches football(pace, tempo spacing and game management) lends itself to Miami being in closer games than they should regardless of the talent advantage. It's no coincidence.
It's why UM has lost four ACC games since last November as a double-digit favorite. That's telling. Ask yourself this you don't think Rhett Lashlee wouldn't trade rosters with Cristobal?
I'll say this again, as a superior team with more athletes, you want to EXTEND the game not shorten it. You WANT more plays, not less. Miami plays offense at times like it's not allowed to hit big plays but has to play one first down at a time. Today, SMU didn't move the ball consistently, but they set up shot plays.
Mario is good at many things, he has actually moved this program forward in many aspects. But will he recruit well enough to overcome his own defiencies as a game day coach. Today was one of the worst performances I have ever seen on the sideline. From taking timeouts just as plays were moving on, and then insisting on being physical instead of productive offensively
We have Olivia Newton John as our coach -- he wants to get FYZYCAL!!'
Personally, Id like to score a lot more points early and THEN be that later in games. Sometimes I wonder if Cristobal believes all games are meant to be won 24-21. I don't believe Miami is getting rid of Mario any time soon. It is what it is. My question is can be evolve or just play the CEO role with elite coordinators in place?
- the officiating was mind-boggling at times. But again, that's why you try and blow teams out so that a few calls don't impact you that much
- this years O-line is severely overrated. Too many short yardage situations where they dont get push and waaaay too many penalties. Ive never seen a unit with so many pre-snap infractions
- Jojo Trader flashed. But his bobble-turned-INT turned the momentum. That play and the offensive PI on the Alex Bauman catch deep in SMU territory were big
- I dont know who Miami's next QB will be but I'd like a real dual threat with some twitch and athleticism. The way Miami plays offense it's like you need a guy who can bail you out with a big scramble here and there, and be a consistent threat at the mesh point.
- Finally here's what stood out to me at the game. As I was sitting in the 221 section of Ford Stadium, I looked around and the Miami fans were bored to death in the middle of this game. Miami simply isn't a very entertaining and exciting team. It's a reflection of the coaching philosophy at play. As Im seeing the other scores, it dawned on me that I was missing out on a lot of other good games.
After today, Mario has lost the fan base. Perhaps he can get it back. But this is now 6 losses as a double-digit favorite for Cristobal as the head coach at Miami. That speaks for itself.
