Happy Monday, y’all, and it’s a victory Monday, so those are always fun.
Lots to do today, so let’s skip the pleasantry and get to what Canes-related stuff is rattling around inside my noggin.
1) I damned
near spit out my drink when I saw this nugget pop up on my Twitter timeline on Saturday:
Are you freaking kidding me? Miami took a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter, and the Hokies would trail by double digits for the rest of the game. Miami led by three scores from the second quarter until the fourth quarter. And even when the Hokies recovered an onside kick with three minutes left in the game and down by ten, the defense shut the door.
That’s not surviving a scare. That’s promoting false propaganda though. Truly incredible and sad from the Worldwide Leader.
2) Louis Riddick and the ESPN crew during the broadcast COULD. NOT. STOP. TALKING. ABOUT. STYLE. POINTS. FOR. MIAMI.
I remember last year laughing and shaking my head while watching the Georgia Tech-Georgia game last year because the announcers kept saying in overtime something along the lines of “Georgia can clinch a playoff spot here” despite them being very much on the bubble. Like they were openly calling for it.
It felt like a similar agenda in the fourth quarter of Miami – Virginia Tech. Riddick could not stop talking about style points and how Miami basically needed them. Like, continuously talking about it like a broken record. My guy, we got it the first several times. What’s with the constant repeating? Trying to say something there, are you?
But did I hear it DAMNED ONCE AT THE END OF THE UTAH-KANSAS STATE THRILLER??? The one where, like Miami, Utah was a 17.5-point favorite? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
The double standard and agenda pushing against Miami is truly absurd, my friends. Absurd.
3) As for the game, bravo for Carson Beck and the passing game; boo for the offensive line’s run blocking and the rushing attack.
Beck had his best game statistically as a Hurricane, throwing for 320 yards on 27/32 passing with 4 scores and no picks. He was precise and decisive, and even when it wasn’t there, he took off, scrambled for a few, and slid. Smart, smart football from #11. Loved what I saw from him. And kudos to the offensive line in pass blocking. Beck had all day to throw.
But woof, it was a bad day on the ground for Miami’s ground game. 83 yards on 30 carries. That won’t cut the mustard. The holes weren’t there, and it was a plodding and unproductive day. Gotta be better there against Pitt. Just have to be.
4) So now, the question is: where will Miami be on Tuesday night?
Notre Dame’s best win took a hit with USC’s loss to Oregon. SMU should be ranked this week if the committee is being fair. So should Pitt, giving the Canes another shot at a ranked win.
Notre Dame rolled, BYU put it away late, and Utah looked like absolute liquid crap on defense, allowing over 400 yards rushing.
My prediction is Miami leapfrogs Utah, but remains behind BYU, Alabama, and Notre Dame, because the committee has shown they love the Irish and are going to put them in no matter what at 10-2.
5) And if that’s the case, Miami will, at bare minimum, need a Thanksgiving miracle for a playoff spot.
I don’t see the narrow ACC path that Cam wrote about on Sunday working out. I think it will have to be an at large spot with SMU winning the ACC.
One of Ole Miss, Oregon, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, or Alabama will have to lose for an at large spot to open up. Forget what’s fair with Notre Dame. The committee won’t drop them below Miami even though they should, as the resumes are similar…AND MIAMI BEAT NOTRE DAME. And even a loss by an Oregon or Ole Miss might not be enough, but it would create at least a chance. I also think a BYU loss in the Big 12 title game might be punishment to knock BYU out, no matter what the committee or talking heads might say about fairness there, and especially if Texas Tech handles them.
So, we’ll see on Tuesday night. But be ready to cross your finger this weekend.
