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What do you need to see to believe this team can with a Natty?

I think from a historical standpoint there’s probably a better argument to be made for Miami making it to the big game rather than winning it all.

In some ways the 12 team playoff makes it less likely than before. A lot will come down to seeding. If Miami could somehow snag the #1 seed (would have to be dominant and undefeated, and probably need Clemson to win out the the rest of the way for that ACCCG win to count for more), it would help because not only would we get the 1st round bye, but it increases the likelihood that we face the Big 12 champ OR one of the lower seeds in the semis. An “easier” path to a winner take all game in the NCG against one of OSU, Texas or UGA is obviously preferential to multiple games against the SEC or BIG #3s or runners-up on the way to that inevitable matchup.

It’s a fun discussion to be having at all. We will learn a lot more about this team after the next 3 games, Not just in the W/L column but By that point we’ll have more valuable statistical information that we can look at compared to historical numbers of prior national champions.

DMoney said:
Two things concern me at the highest levels:

1) Size on DL. We are good and athletic, but we don’t have many 6’4+, 300+ mutants.

2) Ability to win outside. That goes for WR and CB. Teams that win big usually have first round talent out there.
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Agree, although I’d say with a talent like Cam I’m more concerned with #1 than #2, especially in a potential situation where we’d have to face an opposing line like OSU, Texas, UGA etc in a semi or NCG
 
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305_separatist said:
Conference play is upon us. We’ve looked great against 4 bottom of the barrel cupcakes (at least USF played us tough for a half).

Wha do you need to see down the stretch of ACC opponents to be confident this team could make a serious run at a Natty in the playoffs?

For me:
- This is a helluva long season. You need depth to succeed, so I need to continue to see more players getting involved at all position groups. Lyle exploding onto the scene last game was a prime example, need more of that.
- Small iterative improvements. Great teams get better over the season. Cam and the OL have been great, but have left meat on the bone. Need to keep shoring up line play and tuning up some of the throws.
- Sweep *most* opponents. Should win every game in the ACC by 2+ touchdowns. The competition simply isn’t great. However even the all time great teams (2001) have down games, so I’ll excuse a single bad showing as long as we pull out the win.
- Clean up penalties. Have no doubt, refs will try to ***** us in the playoffs. We were robbed in 2002 and if we play it close again and give them an excuse, they will do it again. Need to play clean af and lower our rate of penalties as the season progresses.

We do all those things, and obviously stay healthy, I think we will be able to compete with anyone.
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more consistent run plays
 
Keep Cam Ward healthy and limit other injuries. Will need to mix it up with big boys on a title run, but Canes have enough talent and depth to be in the hunt.
 
Hegemon said:
People complaining about the running game absolutely refuse to bring up opposing teams stacking the box and daring us to throw.

It is baffling

We scored how many short yardage running plays? Smfh
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I was going back through the games earlier today and was looking at short yardage run plays

Remember the days when we couldn’t get a first down on short yardage? Or score? Those days are gone

Not sure we’ve actually be stopped this year in those situations

So we are wrecking people in the pass game and getting what we need when we need it on the ground

It’s been awesome to watch
 
depth is important but mainly for health, I think our 1st and 2nd stringers are good enough (with cam ward as the x factor) to beat any team in the nation

if these two things happen I think we have as good a shot as anybody

1) no significant injuries to a difference maker / centerstone- i.e. cam ward, restrepo, George, Powell, tyler baron, kiko, cici, etc.
2) continue to limit turnovers
 
I don’t want to “with” a natty until we can prove we can stay “with” a natty
 
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I think our talent is close to those at the top but our depth is not. Winning it all would take lots of luck.

Crazier things have happened. :neonu:
 
Go 16-0 and I'll believe this team can win the Natty. Seriously, depth, avoid injuries, and limit turnovers/penalties
 
Carson Beck to go down for the year. Georgia is the only team I don’t think we could beat. OSU, Texas, Oregon, Ole Miss, Bama, Tenn, etc. we could beat more than once out of 10. Georgia we could not.
 
I think we gotta see 6X Champs flying on a plane banner, or a billboard. Anything less than that won't do... **** some mattress truck.
 
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We don't run the ball like a championship caliber team. That's my biggest concern.

Even the best QB's can have off days. We saw it in the first half last week when Ward missed several possibilities for big plays. You need to be able to run the ball when the passing game isn't clicking.
 
This team still hasn't proven that it can run the ball if it has too and I have real doubts it can. We are going to come across a D that makes us prove we can run. Our DB's have not been tested yet. I don't think they are as good as people believe they are right now. I have already stated, I don't see this team winning a NC this year. Hopefully, by the 26 season. How I wish we had Cam in 26, because I believe QB will be the deciding factor, but I see that being the year we are ready.
 
JamesQuall said:
If we (the #7 team) were playing in the playoffs this weekend, we'd be playing #10 Utah and I like our chances. However, ask me at end of November. I'm sitting back and enjoying this team because it's special. The best team I have seen in a loooooong time.

There is still A LOT of football to be played and we've already seen some injuries (Cooper, Bain, Damari, Rivers, etc). Unfortunately there will be more. When they come, who they happen to, and how long are pure chance. We can only hope we stay healthy and this team should give us a lot of great memories.
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We wouldn’t be 7 by the way, since we are projected to win our conference. The 4 conference winners get the top 4 seeds - we’re slated as the #3 team as of today.

As for OP’s question:

- Tendency to give up explosives on the ground (we were outside the top 75 in rushing explosiveness allowed entering Saturday, so while USF was a bright spot, it’s still a concern considering we’ve played four pretty average to garbage teams.
 
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