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The month of October will define the 2016 team

FrancisSawyer

FrancisSawyer

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Looking over the schedule for this season, a couple of things stand out. First is the fact that we get 2 creampuffs in FAMU and FAU to open the season followed by a strange yet intriguing road trip to Appalachian St. We all know how dominant ASU has been in FCS play and what they did to Michigan in the big house several years ago. As the third game we should have some of the kinks worked out. I'm not going to waste anyone's time trying to overanalyze this matchup. The bottom line is we should win that game handily putting us at 3-0 to start the year.

That brings us to October which features the meat of our schedule in terms of level of competition and "Big games". We will play 5 games in October as follows:

Oct 1 @ GT
Oct 8 vs FSU
Oct 15 vs UNC
Oct 20 @ VT
Oct 29 @ Notre Dame

That my friends is one tough stretch with all having that big game atmosphere. October is the season within a season that will define this the 2016 squad. October will see this team on the big stage all month and I'm very much looking forward to how we respond both as coaches and players. How does everyone view this 5 game stretch? How many games do you guys think we can win and why? Discuss.
 
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Man, I can't believe there have been no topics discussing this yet. Good find.

We should beat GT. If we are healthy and go into that game focused and prepared then we should dominate. We can't get caught looking ahead to FSU. Since we have two weeks to prepare for that game I do expect the team to roll here.

I also think VT should be a win if we are healthy. Fuente may be a great coach, but they do not have the horses on offense to keep up to what our offense should potentially be. If our defense is any semblance of an actual defense and not what we've witnessed the last 5 years, then we have a chance to go in and dominate this game 2005 or 2014 style.

FSU, UNC, and ND are hard to predict. My head wants to say 1-2 at best, but part of that is because of what I've seen the last 10 years from the program. I am not sold on UNC this season yet. I will need to see they are continuing off of last year before I buy into the hype. Notre Dame has a good squad on paper, but I think they are being overrated at this point. They are replacing a good amount of talent and were ugly at times last year in games not against Clemson. FSU is also great on paper obviously, but Jumbo always drops 2-3 games a year without Jameis and a lot are games he shouldn't drop at all. If they come into this game without solid QB play then we definitely have a chance to take the cake at home. New stadium renovations, re-energized fan base, an actual coaching staff, and a top QB in the nation that plays his best against them... yea, we'll have a shot.

So basically we could really go 8-0 in the other games and then split UNC, FSU, VT, and ND and really be 10-2 if we remain relatively healthy where we need to be. With a top quarterback you can stay in any game. Surround him with the athletes we have in Coley, Njoku, Herndon IV, etc. and this offense can really be deadly if Searles is truly the man. The S&C should really have a positive impact here as well. If Kul can get the DL playing like we all believe he can and Manny doesn't get dumb with exotic blitzes, but actually calls a good defense all year, then who knows what the limit is with this team. 10-2 is definitely a true possibility and I am almost expecting 10-2 or at least 9-3 if we're healthy most of the year and play hard and prepared each and every week which I believe we will. Richt has something like a 108-10 record against teams that finish unranked so he has a good track record against teams he should beat.

I do not expect us to go 12-0 at all, but for once I actually can look at our schedule and our staff and feel like there isn't a game on there that is a guaranteed loss.
 
As a longtime Miami fan, these are the stretches of games that I have looked forward to. Big games are what the UM brand was built on. As a fan, I loved watching this team ahem Rise To The Occasion. These types of games are and have been an opportunity to defy odds, prove people wrong, make a statement etc. The past decade plus has changed that especially the last 5 years under that fat fraud Al Folden.

If this was still a Folden led team, I would still expect to win the first 2 with the game @ Appalachian State being a huge concern. As for October, under Folden I would know for a fact that 0-5 was a distinct possibility. Under that loser the last 4 games against Pitt, Virginia, NCSt and Dook would be murderers row.

Things are being run in quite a different manner right now in Coral Gables but Richt and the new staff haven't coached a single game yet. Obviously there is still plenty of work to do and more talent to be acquired but I am still extremely curious as to what kind of tangible impact this staff can have in year one. I think these kids are going to react very positively to the new atmosphere, culture, attitude and everything else The Grim Richter has installed post Folden. To make a long story very short, I think the team is going to enjoy playing football again and in turn we the fans will again have fun watching them play. I'm pumped!
 
ILCane2011 said:
In other news, water is wet
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Ah! You must want to discuss surface tension and the role of molecular cohesion in this particular phenomenon. I'm sure we could have some fascinating discussions on meniscus formation, adhesive forces, capillary action and the science behind the differing behaviors of water and mercury.

Unfortunately, I am focused on football at this time. I am confident however that we could make time in the near future to discuss our apparent mutual interest in physics.
 
I two got dam busy working at da particle collider finding new sh*t to waste my time wit dis right now.
 
@ GT - Very Winnable
Home FSU - Will be our first GUT check, but winnable. Better Coaching and we would have won the last 2 vs FSU.
Home UNC - this is NOT last years squad, and we should win at Home.
@ VT - I know they have a new system, but we handled them the last couple of years with BAD run defense; however Lane should NEVER be taken lightly.
@ ND - I think is the only tough fought loss.

7-1 Going into November, EVERYBODY should be excited!
 
HeatedCanePhin said:
@ GT - Very Winnable
Home FSU - Will be our first GUT check, but winnable. Better Coaching and we would have won the last 2 vs FSU.
Home UNC - this is NOT last years squad, and we should win at Home.
@ VT - I know they have a new system, but we handled them the last couple of years with BAD run defense; however Lane should NEVER be taken lightly.
@ ND - I think is the only tough fought loss.

7-1 Going into November, EVERYBODY should be excited!
Click to expand...

I see it shaping it out this way as well.

@GT - Richt has a history of slapping them around playing them every year at UGA

FSU - like you said, we've been a good coach away from winning the last two years. With experience at QB and their lack-of, I think we get the upper hand in the second half. Richt and Kaaya will be on the same page and you know Richt will want to beat FSU bad.

UNC - right after a win against FSU. The stadium will be rocking. I say we get serious revenge for last year. That **** was embarrassing.

VT - not worried. But any game at Blacksburg should not be taken lightly. They will be fired up and if we beat FSU and UNC, I just hope we dont come sleep walking into this one. Those are two huge games right before and a short week with the game being on Thursday.

ND - our biggest test of the year right after a full marathon of a schedule in October. Good thing is that we have a long week to prepare but we will be traveling back form VT and going to ND so that advantage cancels out. If Kaaya is firing on all cylinders at this point, I dont see why we cant win this game. Good QB's carry teams. I see no reason he cant get the job done. Add a couple of turnovers and plays going our way with Manny's gambling D.
 
HeatedCanePhin said:
@ GT - Very Winnable
Home FSU - Will be our first GUT check, but winnable. Better Coaching and we would have won the last 2 vs FSU.
Home UNC - this is NOT last years squad, and we should win at Home.
@ VT - I know they have a new system, but we handled them the last couple of years with BAD run defense; however Lane should NEVER be taken lightly.
@ ND - I think is the only tough fought loss.

7-1 Going into November, EVERYBODY should be excited!
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I tend to agree with this view except for one additional concern that you left out - the Appalachian State game in Boone. I'm less worried about this game now than I was when Golden was still here. However, I still cant' believe we agreed to play in Boone against a team that is used to winning and sometimes competing with superior talent. I'm not ready to call it a "trap game", but I'm also unwilling to call it an automatic win.
 
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I'm sure they'll be some people who will get super optimistic about the season (and Richt's tenure) once we go undefeated in September.

But I agree- the season doesn't really begin until October.
 
The thing about Mark Richt is his teams win the games they're supposed to win. We've gotten used to dropping a random game against Virginia or Duke every year...but based on what I've seen from Richt that won't happen anymore.

His philosophy is to line up in the I formation and just beat you with simplicity. The good thing about that is you won't ***** up something simple, and you won't get beat when you're the better team that often

When I look at this team though, there's more rebuilding to do than folks want to admit. We are weak on the offensive line and in the defensive backfield. Our coaching in the defensive backfield is unproven. Our depth at linebacker is really bad. We have a good QB and WR's/TE, but we have some holes there too.

I could see us beating Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, but losing the other three. Of course, FSU is a rivalry game and the kids will be pumped up, so anything could happen. But I'm going with 2-3 in that stretch, 8-9 wins overall.
 
Most people are all on the same page.

It will be interesting to see how Richt reacts to the rivalry and challenges of the ACC. We have some bitter rivalries too. And as an example when UNC comes to town and he goes over last year's film... That should fire him up, and he should want to slap them.

I think these type of things will bring extra motivation too. As fans we have endured alot of crap from UM being embarrassed in big games most of the time for years now.

Coach a solid team, play aggressive, physical defense and watch momentum and support swell.

This program is getting back to form. Just need a few seasons, with this one being a solid start.
 
scheduling a football game 5 days after having one is horrible. especially for college kids. and its a road game. that should never happen
 
1983canes said:
Most people are all on the same page.

It will be interesting to see how Richt reacts to the rivalry and challenges of the ACC. We have some bitter rivalries too. And as an example when UNC comes to town and he goes over last year's film... That should fire him up, and he should want to slap them.

I think these type of things will bring extra motivation too. As fans we have endured alot of crap from UM being embarrassed in big games most of the time for years now.

Coach a solid team, play aggressive, physical defense and watch momentum and support swell.

This program is getting back to form. Just need a few seasons, with this one being a solid start.
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I think UNC could be a good team this year. Will be interesting to see them vs Georgia to start the season off - that will be a good benchmark for us to see how good the Coastal is this year.

The other interesting subplot this year is who will win more games this year, Georgia or Miami? Georgia is more talented but Miami has the QB. My money is on Georgia winning 9 and Miami winning 8.
 
I see it differently. IMO, the first three games will tell us the most. I know we should and will win all 3 games, but it is how we win those games that will tell the real story.

We have to learn how to smash an opponent when we should smash an opponent. A 45 - 6 win against FAU is a poor win if the scores was 35 - 0 at halftime. What happened that caused us to score only 10 points over 2 quarters of play. It shows a lack consistency. That has been the problem for a decade.

What I would like to see in the first 3 games:

(1) Combined Approximate score: UM 165 - Opponents 18

(2) 1st team does not play a down in the 2nd half of any game.

(3) 2nd and 3rd + teams get plenty of work against the opponent's Ones...to the point of pure exhaustion.

(4) MR does not call the dogs off. Back Up QB must run the full offense.


If this happens, we are looking at a Great Season. Our Depth concerns are basically erased.
 
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Richard Belding said:
The other interesting subplot this year is who will win more games this year, Georgia or Miami? Georgia is more talented but Miami has the QB. My money is on Georgia winning 9 and Miami winning 8.
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8 games! WTF Why did we fire Golden? He could have won 8 games. SMH
 
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HurricaneAce07 said:
HeatedCanePhin said:
@ GT - Very Winnable
Home FSU - Will be our first GUT check, but winnable. Better Coaching and we would have won the last 2 vs FSU.
Home UNC - this is NOT last years squad, and we should win at Home.
@ VT - I know they have a new system, but we handled them the last couple of years with BAD run defense; however Lane should NEVER be taken lightly.
@ ND - I think is the only tough fought loss.

7-1 Going into November, EVERYBODY should be excited!
Click to expand...

I tend to agree with this view except for one additional concern that you left out - the Appalachian State game in Boone. I'm less worried about this game now than I was when Golden was still here. However, I still cant' believe we agreed to play in Boone against a team that is used to winning and sometimes competing with superior talent. I'm not ready to call it a "trap game", but I'm also unwilling to call it an automatic win.
Click to expand...
Well said Ace...Boone is already buzzing about the Miami game....Mountaineers go 11-2 last year, winning their conference and bowl game...You've got to be in super shape playing there as altitude is their ace, just the opposite of our humidity
UNC is better this year but may not achieve a better record than last year..They figure to have anyone"s number that they beat last year..
 
MAC 6 CANES said:
HeatedCanePhin said:
@ GT - Very Winnable
Home FSU - Will be our first GUT check, but winnable. Better Coaching and we would have won the last 2 vs FSU.
Home UNC - this is NOT last years squad, and we should win at Home.
@ VT - I know they have a new system, but we handled them the last couple of years with BAD run defense; however Lane should NEVER be taken lightly.
@ ND - I think is the only tough fought loss.

7-1 Going into November, EVERYBODY should be excited!
Click to expand...

I see it shaping it out this way as well.

@GT - Richt has a history of slapping them around playing them every year at UGA

FSU - like you said, we've been a good coach away from winning the last two years. With experience at QB and their lack-of, I think we get the upper hand in the second half. Richt and Kaaya will be on the same page and you know Richt will want to beat FSU bad.

UNC - right after a win against FSU. The stadium will be rocking. I say we get serious revenge for last year. That **** was embarrassing.

VT - not worried. But any game at Blacksburg should not be taken lightly. They will be fired up and if we beat FSU and UNC, I just hope we dont come sleep walking into this one. Those are two huge games right before and a short week with the game being on Thursday.

ND - our biggest test of the year right after a full marathon of a schedule in October. Good thing is that we have a long week to prepare but we will be traveling back form VT and going to ND so that advantage cancels out. If Kaaya is firing on all cylinders at this point, I dont see why we cant win this game. Good QB's carry teams. I see no reason he cant get the job done. Add a couple of turnovers and plays going our way with Manny's gambling D.
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Sounds like an undefeated season is a real possibility. I agree.
 
It's been my long-time observation that each and every year - Notre Dame is initially rated much higher than they play.

This year, FSU is going down.

Don't know about any others. Going to be fun to watch.
 
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