k9cane
Senior
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2011
- Messages
- 9,698
Ok, some quick thoughts on the upcoming '24 season for the Miami Hurricanes and Mario Cristobal. It's year three, and in the era of the NIL (and Miami has a strong collective) and transfer portal (in which the Hurricanes have done well) for Cristobal -- the future is now.
You really no longer get a 5 year rebuilding grace period the way Butch Davis did in the 90's. Judging by the pursuit of Cam Ward, it's clear that everyone in that Miami football building is going all-in on this season
And if he hits a home run -- the next decade is set up for success. This season is that pivotal for Cristobal and this program. How the team performs this weekend and beyond will have great ramifications in terms of his tenure at UM.
Cristobal has built a very strong roster on both sides of the ball. This isn't just me having my orange-and-green goggles on. But national publications and various websites have spoken about standout individual players and position groups. They can't all be wrong, can they?
Contrary to popular belief I think Cristobal can coach. He lead Oregon to multiple 10-plus win season, took them to the Rose Bowl, and won at the Horseshoe vs a loaded Ohio State team. But the dark cloud of last years GaTech debacle will hang over his head till he wins something substantial.
The fact he has implemented a game/clock coordinator is a great sign. Say what you want, Mario might be stubborn (most coaches are), he isn't stupid.
My view is that this team has to be one that plays to the strength of Cam Ward (who is being paid a good bit -- again that collective), which means shotgun, spread, and some utilization of tempo. If there is ever a season where Cristobal team skews 60-40 in favor of the pass, it's this one. Will Cristobal get his 2019 Ed Orgeron going and allow Shannon Dawson to be his Joe Brady? Pass early, to then eventually run late, I say. You can be wide open and still physical.
And if you can get ahead early and make teams get into a must-throw game, then you play right into the hand of what is the strength of this defense -- the waves of pass rushers they can bring, and allow Lance Guidry to get creative.
It's a favorable schedule (one that has Miami staying in-state all of September) in what is a pretty deep ACC.
So there ya have it, playoffs or bust.
For Cristobal there is no pressure, only great opportunity.
You really no longer get a 5 year rebuilding grace period the way Butch Davis did in the 90's. Judging by the pursuit of Cam Ward, it's clear that everyone in that Miami football building is going all-in on this season
And if he hits a home run -- the next decade is set up for success. This season is that pivotal for Cristobal and this program. How the team performs this weekend and beyond will have great ramifications in terms of his tenure at UM.
Cristobal has built a very strong roster on both sides of the ball. This isn't just me having my orange-and-green goggles on. But national publications and various websites have spoken about standout individual players and position groups. They can't all be wrong, can they?
Contrary to popular belief I think Cristobal can coach. He lead Oregon to multiple 10-plus win season, took them to the Rose Bowl, and won at the Horseshoe vs a loaded Ohio State team. But the dark cloud of last years GaTech debacle will hang over his head till he wins something substantial.
The fact he has implemented a game/clock coordinator is a great sign. Say what you want, Mario might be stubborn (most coaches are), he isn't stupid.
My view is that this team has to be one that plays to the strength of Cam Ward (who is being paid a good bit -- again that collective), which means shotgun, spread, and some utilization of tempo. If there is ever a season where Cristobal team skews 60-40 in favor of the pass, it's this one. Will Cristobal get his 2019 Ed Orgeron going and allow Shannon Dawson to be his Joe Brady? Pass early, to then eventually run late, I say. You can be wide open and still physical.
And if you can get ahead early and make teams get into a must-throw game, then you play right into the hand of what is the strength of this defense -- the waves of pass rushers they can bring, and allow Lance Guidry to get creative.
It's a favorable schedule (one that has Miami staying in-state all of September) in what is a pretty deep ACC.
So there ya have it, playoffs or bust.
For Cristobal there is no pressure, only great opportunity.
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