Miami went down 27-20 to Florida State. The game was hard fought, but from Miami's perspective, I can't help but be frustrated. I understand that the Hurricanes were short-handed given their quarterback situation, but I can't help but ask myself this one very important question.
Are we stuck with 'MarioBall'?
Where we try our best to be physical, run the ball, win the time of possession, and against any decent team score right around 20 points?
Once again, the effort -- especially defensively was for the most part very good -- but I can't help but to question the whole offensive approach as they made the decision to go with Emory Williams behind center.
After getting down 10-0, Miami, battled back. They even took an early 13-10 lead after the first possession for the second half after they recovered a surprise onside kick.
But here's what I wanted to focus on. Late in the first half, Miami was down 10-7 but deep in FSU territory. And from there, they proceeded to just run the ball into a wall of garnett-and-gold. There was nothing in terms of a bootleg, or a run-pass option for Williams. Just runs inside. Yeah, be physical. That's the name of the game, right?
Then in the first drive of the second half, after Mark Fletcher broke off a nice run. Once again, the 'Canes just decided to jam the ball inside, never mind that the 'Noles were making a huge commitment to stopping the run game (which after a series of big runs by Don Chaney in the first half, never really got going.)
That drive bogged down, and Miami was forced into a field goal attempt.
I get it, we had Williams at QB, but there comes a time when you have to give the guy you choose as your starter to at least loosen up the defense.
What had to be 14 potential points, was instead just 6, against a high powered offense that you knew was going to score a certain amount of points.
Yeah, Cristobal wants to be tough and hard-nosed, but will he ever be fast, fun and productive(on offense)? As you saw the Florida State offense, you saw one that was multi-faceted and got the ball into their playmakers hands. Miami's defense actually played well considering the lack of non-support they received for much of the second half.
The last drive was interesting to say the least. Miami actually ran a draw that went nowhere as time was winding down deep in their own territory. It was maddening to see offensive coordinator, Shannon Dawson, implore his offense to hurry up -- this after calling a draw with Fletcher, who's really a bit of a plodding muscle back.
Again, did we really need to run the ball at this stage in the game?
'MarioBall' baby, it's not just a game plan -- it's a lifestyle.
Eventually the drive ended with four Tyler Van Dyke incompletions, after he came in for an injured Williams, who suffered a bad looking arm injury in getting a first down. Hey, even quarterbacks in this offense under Cristobal have to be physical!!! (Young Emory went out a hero).
So yeah, there's two game left in this regular season which has turned very sour as the offense has gone south.
Just two more games to watch this offense, which is broken.
Does Cristobal even think that it needs to be fixed?
