Happy Monday, everyone. Too bad it’s not the victory Monday that it should be today.
Yes, there’s plenty to talk about after Miami looked more like the pre-2025 version that we know and don’t love in a 24-21 loss to Louisville on Friday night.
So, let’s get to it…
1) August/September Canes were a look at something that appeared different. Same for quarters 1-3 of FSU game. Then, we saw a glimpse of something completely different on Friday night.
Against Louisville, that thing that was lurking under the
mask all this time – the same no good, awful stinker of a sleepy and underwhelming performance against a team with less talent but tons more passion and motivation – showed up for the countless time in primetime against the Cardinals.
Louisville has talent, don’t get me wrong. But Miami simply did not show up to play on Friday night from the opening drive. The Cardinals played with more urgency. They were more physical for much of the game. And they damned sure were more disciplined and miles better with their fundamentals than the Hurricanes were on both sides of the ball.
I believed this team was different after 20+ years. I’ve argued as such with friends and colleagues. It looks like, at least for a night, I was wrong.
2) I thought that Dan Le Batard had some pretty salient points on Monday morning about the game.
Watch for yourself:
Pretty well said IMHO.
3) Mario has 5 losses as roughly a two-touchdown favorite since 2022 per Le Batard.
Even with the growing parity, those types of outright losses are typically pretty rare across the country. Mario is making that a habit. That’s not good.
4) Regarding the running game (a topic about which our Cam Underwood is going to expand upon more soon), Dan is onto something. Right now, the running game is as exciting and flavorful as a bowl of plain, cold oatmeal.
It’s nice to wear down a team, and I believe in staying with the run, especially when you have a big offensive line that can eventually impose its will. It can help limit mistakes when you have a QB giving away more gifts than Santa Claus. But at some point, you’re banging your head into a wall with the same basic inside plays. I can’t remember many times of Miami has tried to run on the perimeter and diversify the run game beyond the simple between the tackles iso/etc. runs. Get those boys out wide some and get the defense moving. Run out of different formations. Get defenses off their spots and not packed in and waiting for the forthcoming ballcarrier. Teams. Have. Started. To. Figure. It. Out.
Hell, throw Marty Brown the damned ball and let him work! He’s proven to be a capable receiver and has made some plays. Get those running backs out from between the tackles and diversify this shit some, for goodness sakes.
5) Louisville might have put out a blueprint for how to handle Miami’s dangerous pass rush.
The quick release passing game and forcing Miami to tackle in space was an absolute nightmare. Three defenders had 4 or more missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus. No bueno.
And you know other teams will follow suit. Corey Hetherman is going to have to figure out what his next chess move is quickly to counteract teams doing that. Of course, better tackling fundamentals would be nice, but Miami will have to be better prepared for that type of offensive philosophy going forward.
6) Stanford is up next.
Miami is a 4-touchdown favorite. If this isn’t an anger-filled absolute ass kicking, then I’m truly worried for the rest of the season.
11-1 takes Miami to the playoff regardless of the ACC race. But if they’re going to get there, they’re going to have to start playing again like a team that’s nothing like the one we saw on Friday night and during the last 20-plus years.
