Alright, I got in late from Hard Rock Stadium on early Sunday morning. Some thoughts on Miami's 26-7 win over the Florida Gators...
- If I was a headline writer, I'd put 'Miami's Defense' Towels off Florida'. I dont want to crown Cory Hetherman just yet, but after this performance on Saturday night I'd not only like to nominate him for the Broyles Award, but the Nobel Peace Prize. His unit was incredibly good. Yeah, this wasn't exactly the 'Fun n' Gun with Danny Wuerfell, I get that. But on a night when Beck looked like the '24 version at times and scuffled, the defense was stout and downright dominant.
They allowed 32 yards total at the half, IIRC. And 141 total yards, with the bulk coming on their one TD drive that cut the UM lead to 13-7.
I know some will ask if this is about a coaching change or an upgrade in talent (especially on the back end), as I like to say, ''It's never just about one thing, but a little bit of everything." Miami's defense is not just more sound, but collectively just running to the ball and swarming
- This was a game that reminded me of George Benton's advice to boxers who had tough fights -- win tonight, look good tomorrow. This game was one where I felt Miami was leading 13-0 at the half, and it felt like it should've been 31-0. Something like this may have been costly vs an offense and quarterback who isn't so broken. Right now, the staff and DJ Lagway are deathly afraid of themselves. It's getting to a point where you think he has the yips
I give the Gators defense credit, they played hard. Even with their injuries upfront, they battled and will be one of the better units UM will face this season.
Elite teams can win when they don't have their best stuff, and other units can pick up the others that are struggling. I don't think Miami could win a game of this nature last season
- Speaking of the yips, the Miami Oline is considered among the very elite, but they have now had 8 pre-snap infractions the last two games. In the immortal words of Vince Lombardi, "WHAT IN THE **** IS GOING ON OUT THERE??!?!"
- Be honest, when it was 13-7 and Cormani McClain picked off Beck, did you get that sinking feeling it was one of those games where Miami was going to let one slip away? Instead the defense bowed up and made some key stops and eventually took control of the last 10 games
- To be blunt, Beck was poor tonight. Even some of his completions were off the mark, and I got the sense that Shannon Dawson's play-calling was impacted by that. For Miami to do anything truly significant this season, this has to be the worst game he plays this season
- Based on what I've seen thus far, Ruben Bain may have a season that rivals Warren Sapp in 1994 and Dan Morgan in 2000 for being the most decorated defender in UM program history. The impact he makes each play/drive can not be understated. Not only does he make plays, but he makes those around him better on a consistent basis
- Finally, I loved the white towels they gave out. The fans were really into it, and it was reminiscent of the Miami Dolphins in the early 70's. Before the 'Terrible Towel', the Dolphins were doing this. My only critique is that they should've been orange or green. Hopefully they give these out on a regular basis. The crowd was really into it and to see the waves of towels being swung around looked great.
As for the DJ, not bad, but there wee a couple of songs that seem out of place at a Miami game. I think I need to be like Norm Chow and coordinate a play list for these guys
- So Miami is 4-0 going to a bye week and prepare to go up to Tallahassee and play a hot FSU squad on October 4th. It should be a battle of two top 5 teams. It will seem like old times.
