FL Cane
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Another week, another W for the Canes. Even sweeter that it was against those clowns from Gainesville, who Miami have dominated in back-to-back years. Here are some other takeaways and observations from this week in CFB:
- Oklahoma - this is one of the more intriguing teams in CFB. Oklahoma has been a dissapoint the last two years under Brent Venables, but this year things would seem to be turning. OU brought in arguably the top portal QB in John Mateer, and his effect is showing. Undefeated for the first time in forever, this is an OU team that will make noise in the SEC. Their defense is stout, and a legitimately stellar QB leads their O. However... the big issue with this O is that Mateer has to do everything. Imagine Cam Ward last year (nowhere near the arm talent but you get the idea) with a worse run game and less talent outside. That's what this Oklahoma team is. Do I think they'll make SEC noise? Yes. Do I think they'll legitimately make a run for a CFP slot? Depends on how the SEC pans out, but this team doesn't look the part of a contender.
- Auburn - this is a far better Auburn team than the one Hugh Freeze inherited or even had last year, but issues remain. Jackson Arnold is an above-average QB, but even elite QBs can't do anything when they get sacked ten times. It's jarring how unprepared that Auburn OL was for this game. This is a program that seems to be heading in the right direction, but major issues remain. Fun fact: Miami will be welcoming Auburn to Hard Rock (if it's still named that) on September 1, 2029, to open the 2029 season.
- Syracuse - this is a Syracuse team that looks to make some noise in the ACC. They didn't just beat Clemson, they dominated them from the get-go. This team has talent, and you've gotta give Fran Brown (as corny as he is) credit for building a solid roster. Once caveat here is that Steve Angeli, who has looked good this year, suffered an injury that could be serious. No word yet, but he didn't play the rest of the game yesterday after the injury, and his backup isn't even half as capable as he is.
- Clemson - like many on this board, going back to last year, I repeatedly said that this Clemson team was severely overrated. Yesterday, after a crushing loss to Syracuse, this Clemson team is 1-3 for the first time in forever. Dabo Swinney looks completely lost, and this team looks completely demoralized. Cade Klubnick is who we thought he all was, and Clemson lacks any explosive playmaking ability on offense. Clemson's D has also taken a step back, struggling in their Run Defense, just like last year. Ultimately, this Clemson team does have talent so could turn things around, but at this point it seems unlikely. They're looking at at least 2 more losses, and a 7-5 season.
- NCST - One of the more interesting teams of the year, and had a massive letdown yesterday against Duke. CJ Bailey had a bad day with 3 interceptions, and NCST couldn't get anything going against Duke. Even with an L, this is still a gritty team that'll make teams work for a W. Can't be overlooked, but also don't overestimate their ability.
- Duke - big win in Durham for Manny Diaz yesterday. This was an NCST team favored to come in and win that game. Manny has a good thing going at Duke. If he can average 7-8 wins a year, he's set there for a while. Of course, this Duke team isn't a contender in the ACC. Like with Manny's Miami teams, you see flashes, but the deficiencies are glaring and better teams will take advantage of them. Shame we don't play them this year.
- Oregon - they haven't really played anyone yet, but they've still pummeled everyone they've played. Dante Moore looks like the real deal, and this Oregon team is going to be a problem for the CFB world. Up next is a Top 10 matchup against #2 Penn State, in the White Out Game no less. I think Oregon goes into Happy Valley and pulls out a convincing W. Nothing Penn State does on O convinces me that they can keep up with this Oregon team. Is Penn State very very good? Yes, absolutely. But... very good has never been a problem for this team under James Franklin. Getting to elite has been, and this Penn State team isn't elite. If they pull off the W against Oregon, it'll go a huge way in changing the narrative, though. Even though I think they lose, I will be rooting for Penn State.
- Indiana - Belt to *** is apparently the new motto up at IU, as Fernando Mendoza and Kurt Cignetti's Hoosiers beat the d*g sh** out of Illinois. Mendoza looks the part, and this Indiana team is going to make noise in the B10. Of note, despite the big win, Illinois was down a lot of guys and suffered injuries. Nevertheless, this team looked the part, even if I do think Illinois was massively overrated.
- Wisconsin - they're terrible. Bama had a convincing win against them last week, and now Maryland brings a beatdown. Makes you wonder how good Bama actually is since this is a terrible team.
- Florida State - it's hard to tell how good a team really is, when their only real game was three weeks ago, and they've played a terrible FCS team and the worst FBS team in the country since. FSU is massively improved from last year - they actually have a pulse now - but it's hard to say what this team's ceiling is. There are, though, some important things to note. First, Thomas Castellanos is getting overhyped. He has not been put into a position where he needs to really put the ball in the air, or even attempt to get the intermediate passing game going. Additionally, a lot of his production this year has been on big plays (particularly against bad teams). To give you an idea, nearly 45% of his passing yards this year are from 4 plays alone. Beyond Castellanos and Danzy (very fast linear speed), their RB room doesn't look like anything beyond average. Against the one D they played with a pulse, FSU RBs did absolutely nothing. Additionally, their Defense hasn't been tested by a balanced O. Ultimately, this is a far better team than last year, but I know a fraud when I see one. And this FSU team is a fraud (at least in the context of a CFP run). Their O is a lot of window dressing and eye candy, which UF tried yesterday and miserably failed to do (at least early in the game). I don't think they're more physical, athletic, or talented than us. Don't believe they match up well with us or our style of football.
- Virginia - keep an eye on this team, they're one of the more interesting this year. Chad Morris is rolling and this UVA offense has talent and can put up points. They get FSU at home next week in what could be a marquee matchup/win for Tony Elliott. While their Defense is average at best, their O will keep them in it against anyone. Yes, Stanford isn't particularly good, but this UVA O does have talent. I think they will give FSU fits and have a very good shot at pulling the upset, as FSU's D is nowhere near as good as they think, and this is arguably the best offense they'll have played all year.
- Nebraska - I've been of the opinion, for years, that Nebraska is never coming back. And so far, my opinion is holding up. Yes, Matt Rhule has done a good job of making the Cornhuskers respectable. However, this isn't a team that's going to make noise this year. Dylan Raiola played well yesterday, but Nebraska's D couldn't stop a cold. This team is going to need a massive infusion of talent to go from slightly above average to good.
- Michigan - good team, will give anyone they play fits this year. Not a CFP team, but looks like they're trending in the right direction.
- Florida - these guys stink. Miami's offense decided to play half a game yesterday, and even then Florida couldn't do anything. Billy Napier is DOA, and Florida will have to go back to the drawing board, as Scott "Blake James" Stricklin will be tasked with making his third consecutive hire at HC. This team, for all its issues, does have talent. That defense is gritty, and Baugh is a good RB. However, DJ Lagway should sit the rest of the year, get healthy, and go back to the drawing board. He looks mentally broken, and gave off the impression he didn't even want to be in Miami yesterday.
