k9cane
Senior
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2011
- Messages
- 10,134
about to head out to the airport (Palo Alto, here I come!!), the season is upon us. Some quick thoughts on the 2026 #Canes season..
- Despite the graduations of guys like Bain, Mauignoa and Mesidor, this is probably the best Miami roster since 2002. Yes, there are heavy losses to the NFL, but this reminds me a bit of 2001 when UM lost four first round draft choices and were able to reload. Mario Cristobal in year five, has stocked this roster on both sides of the ball. The only spot where they aren't really considered elite is linebacker and tight end
- Looking at this schedule, it's favorable to say the least. Miami will be favored in at least 10 of them (most of them by double-digits), so with that said -- they absolutely have to win the ACC. Because this isn't the type of schedule where you can drop more than a game, unlike other teams in the SEC or Big10, its not a given that the ACC will get multiple playoff bids.
The goal is to be not be on pins and needles as the playoff brackets are announced -- but wondering where they will be seeded. Which means winning every game you are supposed to in machine-line fashion. That's what upper tier programs are expected to do.
There is no excuse to at least not be in Charlotte the first week of December. It's a zero-sum game in this regard. Again, time to be 'Gung Ho' -- 15,000 cars!! (ACC). Mario channel your inner Hunt Stevenson.
And if they can't do it this season, they should actually be kicked out of the league and made to go independent, again.
- If Darian Mensah plays like a Heisman Trophy finalist (and that's my expectation), Miami will be in the playoffs.
- Miami's Dline may not have outright dominant edges like they did last year, but they will make up for that by coming in waves with fresher bodies
- The goal for Miami is to score at least 40 points a game (they average around 30 last season, which was just above-average). I understand that they will never go full-blown quick-tempo but I hope that at time they go at a faster pace. I like the fact that Cristobal has made comments about needing more explosive plays. Two or three of those a game can really turn games and flip the numbers.
This years offense I believe has more speed outside. There is no need to be overly methodical. Again, establish points and try to play from ahead as soon as possible (and let your pass rushers play freely early on.)
You don't recruit thoroughbreds and put plows on them. You let them gallop.
- I have a hunch with the caliber of cornerbacks Miami has, that they will play more press coverage, and really load the box. I have no doubt teams will try and shorten the game on Miami, so in my view Heatherman has to put them behind the chains and get to 3rd and longs as often as possible early in games.
- No matter what the configuration, I expect Mirabel/Cristobal to have a strong Oline, one that might be elite come November down the stretch run. They have set a perpetually high floor at this spot. Death, taxes and Mirabel/Mario producing an elite front.
- Now, special teams. This team is deep enough that there should be enough quality athletes on every unit. Can't over look this, it may have cost Miami a national title last season. It's time to weaponize this area of the game
- Finally, there is no taking backwards steps this season. If you have arrived as an elite program you keep ascending. Cristobal has had this program on an upward trajectory and his most talented rosters might be in front of him.
- Despite the graduations of guys like Bain, Mauignoa and Mesidor, this is probably the best Miami roster since 2002. Yes, there are heavy losses to the NFL, but this reminds me a bit of 2001 when UM lost four first round draft choices and were able to reload. Mario Cristobal in year five, has stocked this roster on both sides of the ball. The only spot where they aren't really considered elite is linebacker and tight end
- Looking at this schedule, it's favorable to say the least. Miami will be favored in at least 10 of them (most of them by double-digits), so with that said -- they absolutely have to win the ACC. Because this isn't the type of schedule where you can drop more than a game, unlike other teams in the SEC or Big10, its not a given that the ACC will get multiple playoff bids.
The goal is to be not be on pins and needles as the playoff brackets are announced -- but wondering where they will be seeded. Which means winning every game you are supposed to in machine-line fashion. That's what upper tier programs are expected to do.
There is no excuse to at least not be in Charlotte the first week of December. It's a zero-sum game in this regard. Again, time to be 'Gung Ho' -- 15,000 cars!! (ACC). Mario channel your inner Hunt Stevenson.
And if they can't do it this season, they should actually be kicked out of the league and made to go independent, again.
- If Darian Mensah plays like a Heisman Trophy finalist (and that's my expectation), Miami will be in the playoffs.
- Miami's Dline may not have outright dominant edges like they did last year, but they will make up for that by coming in waves with fresher bodies
- The goal for Miami is to score at least 40 points a game (they average around 30 last season, which was just above-average). I understand that they will never go full-blown quick-tempo but I hope that at time they go at a faster pace. I like the fact that Cristobal has made comments about needing more explosive plays. Two or three of those a game can really turn games and flip the numbers.
This years offense I believe has more speed outside. There is no need to be overly methodical. Again, establish points and try to play from ahead as soon as possible (and let your pass rushers play freely early on.)
You don't recruit thoroughbreds and put plows on them. You let them gallop.
- I have a hunch with the caliber of cornerbacks Miami has, that they will play more press coverage, and really load the box. I have no doubt teams will try and shorten the game on Miami, so in my view Heatherman has to put them behind the chains and get to 3rd and longs as often as possible early in games.
- No matter what the configuration, I expect Mirabel/Cristobal to have a strong Oline, one that might be elite come November down the stretch run. They have set a perpetually high floor at this spot. Death, taxes and Mirabel/Mario producing an elite front.
- Now, special teams. This team is deep enough that there should be enough quality athletes on every unit. Can't over look this, it may have cost Miami a national title last season. It's time to weaponize this area of the game
- Finally, there is no taking backwards steps this season. If you have arrived as an elite program you keep ascending. Cristobal has had this program on an upward trajectory and his most talented rosters might be in front of him.
