Udynasty
Redshirt Freshman
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- Nov 29, 2012
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Miami vs Syracuse Preview and Prediction
#18 Miami (6-2) faces off against Syracuse (3-6) as the Canes hope to get back on track and get revenge on the team that knocked them out of the College Football Playoff last season. Miami's chances to make the playoffs seem dim, however, if they take care of business these next four weeks, they will have a head-to-head win over Notre Dame and common opponents such as Pittsburgh and NC State that the committee can compare. But none of that matters if Miami can't win at Syracuse. So what are the keys to a victory this week?
KEYS TO WIN
1. Miami Must Let Dawson Loose
Dawson needs to have full control of the offense, and I don’t mean play-calling. Alex Mirabal is an OL coach—let him be the best OL coach in the nation. Let Dawson draw up the run plays himself and not be limited to what Mirabal and Mario allow him to run.
2. Penalties Need To Improve
Miami is one of the most penalized teams in the nation and continues to find themselves in third-and-long type situations and drive-killing mistakes. If Mario needs to bench someone because of continued mistakes (I'm looking at YOU, James Brockermeyer), then so be it. But these coaches cannot continue to reward the same culprits with playing time.
3. Short Yardage Creativity
This has been one of the biggest issues for the Canes since ACC play started. It's 3rd and 2, and you have a cover zero with nine men in the box, and everyone in the world knows that you are going to run through the A-gap. You rarely give them a different look. You rarely go four wide or do a reverse/double reverse. You are not using play action or a toss to the RB/WR so that they can hit the outside and get easy yardage. You are ego running into brick walls and consistently coming up short, paying the price now with Fletcher injured and botched drives that give the other team momentum.
4. Protect the Ball
Win the turnover battle, and you win the game. Carson Beck cannot afford to have another Louisville-type game. Wide receivers cannot continue to have balls bounce off the palm of their hands and end up as interceptions. Protect the ball, and you win.
5. Keep Your Foot On The Gas
Mario has a tendency that when the game is in hand, he starts playing "Bro Ball"—inside zone three runs in a row—instead of continuing to play with a sense of urgency. When you do this, bad habits are formed. Players stop playing, and you give life to the opposition. You need to score and score a lot. Now more than ever, especially because you are #18 and far from a playoff spot, style points matter a lot for Miami. The Canes need to look like an elite 10-2 team and use their leads to build confidence in their players rather than having them standing around as Miami continues running the same three inside run plays late in games.
Syracuse Player To Watch For
Rickie Collins will be under center for Syracuse as they face No. 18 Miami this Saturday.
Collins has made four starts this season for the Orange (3-6, 1-5 ACC), but all resulted in losses. During that stretch, he threw for four touchdowns and five interceptions, while the offense mustered only 43 total points.
After a string of poor performances, Collins was benched in last week’s matchup against North Carolina in favor of a walk-on freshman.
In other words, Collins isn’t a threat but a gift for the Hurricanes’ defense to capitalize on.
Prediction
Miami needs to come out aggressive and use their talent to their advantage. Mario Cristobal's biggest challenge is his own mirror. Can he get out of his own way? Does he need to keep his ego in check and allow Miami's coordinators to use the athletes and talent the Canes have to out-talent these other schools and outscheme them at the same time? If this is the case, I like Miami to win in a landslide. But because I need to see it to believe it, I am picking Miami to win against a battered team in a closer-than-expected showdown.
Miami – 24
Syracuse – 14
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