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Some early morning Miami-L'Ville thoughts...

k9cane

k9cane

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Got back late last night from Hard Rock Stadium. Was it all a dream (a bad one, at that?). No, unfortunately it was reality - and Louisville -- that slapped Miami in the face. A few thoughts on the game..

- From the very beginning, Brohm had a really good plan. No surprise given his offensive acumen. He is one of the best offensive minds in the game. Quick throws, short crossing rounds never allowed the Miami defense to get settled in the first two drives and just like that it was 14-0.

It was clear that Miller Moss was going to get the ball out his hands quickly as possible, you wonder if Heatherman had it to do over again he'd have his corners play a bit more press and disrupt those routes earlier

- Carson Van Beck, four INT's, really should've been 5 without the bail out call. Bottom line, he has reverted to the 2024 version, where Miami needed the 2023 guy that protected the ball well. He is now creeping up to 10 interceptions( had 12 last season) That last throw was the kind that can kill a teams spirit. It reminded me a lot of Kyle Wrights late INT vs Gatech in 2005

- Offensively, Im concerned. This unit has flashed a bit, but it now seems to actually have regressed. Two things stand out to this layman. Shannon Dawson dials up a lot of runs out of tight, bunched up formations versus stacked boxes. You could clearly see it from the endzone view I had. Then this WR unit, while solid, has no real vertical threat to scare teams over the top. It could really use a guy like Phil Dorsett or Travis Benjamin

First 12 carries for the Canes netted 26 yards. Its hard to stick with the run game when you cant establish it from the beginning or fall behind two touchdowns

- Last nights play calling was really frustrating the fans, early runs that were getting stuffed, and it seemed like too many horizontal throws were Miami WR's weren't winning their battles blocking on the perimeter vs Cardinal defenders, thus limiting those plays effectiveness. I'd say that Dawson needs to open it up more on early downs, but then,...do you trust Beck at this point?

- A bright spot again was Malachi Toney. Not much more needs to be said about him. But what has happened to Josh Moore in recent weeks?

- Last night was the first time that Ruben Bain didn't really have a great impact. It was bound to happen, I believe more and more teams will go to the quick game vs Miami moving forward. Heatherman has to adjust to that.

- Take away Isaac Brown's fumble and this game isn't close down the stretch. Give L'Ville credit they did out-play Miami throughout. As it became 24-13, fans started streaming towards the exits. It was dead inside 'the Asylum', but after that fumble the crowd was electric -- yes, I stayed throughout, where else was I going to go? -- and it felt like Miami was going to pull a miracle, but honestly, Louisville deserved to win that game.

- Unfortunately, for Mario Cristobal this is another season where he loses a game that his team is heavily favored. It's not just a trend, it is what it is. In 2024 they lost as double digit favorites on the road vs Gatech and Syracuse. Now they did the same at home to the Cardinals, who gave Miami their last home loss back in 23. The mark of an elite program is to routinely win every game you're expected to. The Canes are far from being there, unfortuantely

- Looking ahead, still a lot of football to played. I'll admit, Im concerned about Beck and this offense, and if this team as a whole can rally back. One thing to monitor, as you see the likes of GaTech and UVA (who are both 3-0) do not play each other in league play. Yeah, take that for what you will but last nights defeat was a bad one. There's no two ways about it

Anyways, the sun did come up today, believe it or not. I'm going to try my best and enjoy a full day of college football.
 
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The U is back to work said:
Just another week where we were unprepared for the opponent. I get it Brohm is very good but we looked incompetent in the first quarter and then you pair that with INT after INT and a run game that was nonexistent.
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How were we 5-0 but it was ‘another week unprepared’ lol what?
 
Dawson going to have to figure something out because every defense moving forward knows the only thing we got right now is trying to run up the gut in a tight formation, and Toney. That’s the entire offense right now.

Heatherman in the same boat because Louisville showed how you defeat a strong pass rush. Get the ball out of the quarterbacks hands quickly.
 
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Mario and Co believed in Beck and said out their mouths they have the tools and resources to relieve some of the pressures and stress he faced at UGA. This game was an indictment of Beck flaws and the shii he dealt with at UGA. 2.6ypc.
 
Jonnyblaze said:
Dawson going to figure something out because every defense moving forward no the only thing we got right now is trying to run up the gut in a tight formation, and Toni. That’s the entire offense right now.

Heatherman in the same boat because Louisville showed how you defeat a strong pass rush. Get the ball out of the quarterbacks hands quickly.
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Just take the run game out of Mirabal’s and Mario’s hands
 
My observations so far this season

1. Seems like our o-line is a one trick pony (tight formation and helmet on helmet and hope we move them back). This is the BY FAR the biggest opportunity for our offense to open up. We rarely pull OL or give a little spacing between the OL. And our go to when we need a yard is bring in another OL? Mirabel is too involved in the offense imo and I am questioning the development of the OL.

2. On defense, that’s two weeks in a row where the offense comes out and shreds first couple drives. Seems like we take for granted we are going to get to the qb regardless of where we line up. The blueprint is out. Quick hitters and if our defense line up out wide, run it through those gaps. We further help opposing offense by playing bail technique. If you want to dictate on defense you HAVE to take away something.

Also, they have one primary wr. How do we not have a LB spy that crossing route by Bell post snap before dropping back?

3. Beck’s post snap reads need improving by and fast, but not sure if that happens. He has no confidence in anyone other than Mali and CJ. Throwing to them in triple coverage is sign of lack of confidence in play call, other WRs and himself.

4. So in summary, the biggest areas for improvement rests with

1. Mario - allowing Mirabel too much influence on run game. Pride goes before the fall.

Building Becks confidence with more spacing out wide receivers and have Mali work more underneath. Stop being predictable on flat routes for Lofton.
 
Our issues at LB and WR reared their ugly heads last night.

Not only are we not a great run blocking team but the scheme is awful.

Too many blitzes that left the middle of the field open.

We tried telling you about Beck. Still above average but he doesn’t elevate you offense.

Penalties, to me this is the biggest indictment on the team. We preach discipline but have never ever been able to practice what we preach.

Disappointed because I drank the kool aid thinking this year was different. Still expect 10 wins.
 
Jonnyblaze said:
Dawson going to have to figure something out because every defense moving forward knows the only thing we got right now is trying to run up the gut in a tight formation, and Toney. That’s the entire offense right now.

Heatherman in the same boat because Louisville showed how you defeat a strong pass rush. Get the ball out of the quarterbacks hands quickly.
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Dawson is who he is . Its year 3 and we run same 10-15 plays .. I wonder why he even has a play call sheet of that size .. he could use note cards like we did in the 70s growing up
 
k9cane said:
Got back late last night from Hard Rock Stadium. Was it all a dream (a bad one, at that?). No, unfortunately it was reality - and Louisville -- that slapped Miami in the face. A few thoughts on the game..

- From the very beginning, Brohm had a really good plan. No surprise given his offensive acumen. He is one of the best offensive minds in the game. Quick throws, short crossing rounds never allowed the Miami defense to get settled in the first two drives and just like that it was 14-0.

It was clear that Miller Moss was going to get the ball out his hands quickly as possible, you wonder if Heatherman had it to do over again he'd have his corners play a bit more press and disrupt those routes earlier

- Carson Van Beck, four INT's, really should've been 5 without the bail out call. Bottom line, he has reverted to the 2024 version, where Miami needed the 2023 guy that protected the ball well. He is now creeping up to 10 interceptions( had 12 last season) That last throw was the kind that can kill a teams spirit. It reminded me a lot of Kyle Wrights late INT vs Gatech in 2005

- Offensively, Im concerned. This unit has flashed a bit, but it now seems to actually have regressed. Two things stand out to this layman. Shannon Dawson dials up a lot of runs out of tight, bunched up formations versus stacked boxes. You could clearly see it from the endzone view I had. Then this WR unit, while solid, has no real vertical threat to scare teams over the top. It could really use a guy like Phil Dorsett or Travis Benjamin

First 12 carries for the Canes netted 26 yards. Its hard to stick with the run game when you cant establish it from the beginning or fall behind two touchdowns

- Last nights play calling was really frustrating the fans, early runs that were getting stuffed, and it seemed like too many horizontal throws were Miami WR's weren't winning their battles blocking on the perimeter vs Cardinal defenders, thus limiting those plays effectiveness. I'd say that Dawson needs to open it up more on early downs, but then,...do you trust Beck at this point?

- A bright spot again was Malachi Toney. Not much more needs to be said about him. But what has happened to Josh Moore in recent weeks?

- Last night was the first time that Ruben Bain didn't really have a great impact. It was bound to happen, I believe more and more teams will go to the quick game vs Miami moving forward. Heatherman has to adjust to that.

- Take away Isaac Brown's fumble and this game isn't close down the stretch. Give L'Ville credit they did out-play Miami throughout. As it became 24-13, fans started streaming towards the exits. It was dead inside 'the Asylum', but after that fumble the crowd was electric -- yes, I stayed throughout, where else was I going to go? -- and it felt like Miami was going to pull a miracle, but honestly, Louisville deserved to win that game.

- Unfortunately, for Mario Cristobal this is another season where he loses a game that his team is heavily favored. It's not just a trend, it is what it is. In 2024 they lost as double digit favorites on the road vs Gatech and Syracuse. Now they did the same at home to the Cardinals, who gave Miami their last home loss back in 23. The mark of an elite program is to routinely win every game you're expected to. The Canes are far from being there, unfortuantely

- Looking ahead, still a lot of football to played. I'll admit, Im concerned about Beck and this offense, and if this team as a whole can rally back. One thing to monitor, as you see the likes of GaTech and UVA (who are both 3-0) do not play each other in league play. Yeah, take that for what you will but last nights defeat was a bad one. There's no two ways about it

Anyways, the sun did come up today, believe it or not. I'm going to try my best and enjoy a full day of college football.
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To be fair to Beck, two of the picks were great catches by their defense. But the play calling. Wow! Last two games they've just taken away the middle and we refuse to go outside or even off tackle. And where have the dig and reverse mesh routes gone to?
 
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Ibis4life said:
To be fair to Beck, two of the picks were great catches by their defense. But the play calling. Wow! Last two games they've just taken away the middle and we refuse to go outside or even off tackle. And where have the dig and reverse mesh routes gone to?
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I don't disagree but what is troubling to me is that there seems to be a noticeable lack of zip on Beck's passes. Maybe it's my slanted eyes seeing things...
 
Gocanes1990 said:
@k9cane thanks Steve, painful to read, hopefully cathartic to write. What perplexed me most in the running game was what we did out of 21 personnel. Off tackle seemed more fruitful as UL sold out the A gap.

Anyways, as Ted lasso said. It’s the hope that kills you
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LOL, 'cathartic' is one way to put it... but hey, we move forward. Nothing can be done about this now by the team except to improve(hopefully)...
 
This will be another disappointing season. The vibe is completely flipped. Maybe I’m just being a downer, to be fair, but I need to see a response from Mario and the team. A response that doesn’t include beating their head against the wall to see if they can finally break through.

Right now, I see the team losing at SMU and at Pittsburgh at the end of the year, finishing 9-3. Might even drop another game. End the season with a meaningless bowl game, where Beck, Bain, Mesidor, Daniels, CiCi, and others leaving for the NFL opt out.

We’re on to Stanford, a terrible opponent against whom a 30 to 40 victory margin means nothing.
 
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