You only get so many chances

DMoney

Nov 30, 2024 2 min read

This one hurts deep in the soul. We had a chance for a special season and blew it. Every November feels the same for the past 20 years.

I'll dig deeper on rewatch, but my big picture view is this: Miami fell to its true level. We won games we could've lost, and we lost games we could've won. At the end, we were who we were all year.

We have a national championship offense. We have a bad defense. And we lack discipline overall. We came into this game ranked 120th in penalty yards per game. With the season on the line, we made two of the most immature penalties in team history. That was not a fluke.

Add it all up, and you get 10-2. Do I expect major defensive staff changes? Yes. But that isn't the only area we need to improve.

Mario ultimately owns all of it. He missed a rare opportunity. Now, the ownership cuts both ways- you can't blame him for the defensive misses and then ignore the strength of the offense. We were blessed to have Cam Ward, but he also landed Cam Ward and built his supporting cast. The question now becomes whether we can improve elsewhere enough to compensate for the loss of such a unique and special player.

This season will be remembered one of two ways: the beginning of something sustainable, or a fun, ultimately disappointing fluke like 2017. For true progress, this team needs to remake its defensive identity. You can fire coaches and recruit better DBs. But when you get bowled over by an Arena League running back with the season on the line, that's a cultural issue. When you look confused all year, it's deeper than talent. We had four NFL players in the 2022 secondary, and we looked just as lost as we did this year.

Was there progress? Of course. Should anyone expect us to build on that progress? That's a hard sell. The fanbase has every reason to be cynical. But none of us are going anywhere, so let's hope the build continues and we have enough material to tell lies this summer.

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Comments (511)

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mr.h

Dec 1, 2024

If we make the playoffs it’s because they want to feature Cam Ward.
Besides our Offense broke records.

S
skeeter

Dec 1, 2024

CaneFan79 said:
8-4 next year if lucky.

How do you know this? There is anywhere from 4 to 12 starters not yet on the team? Ever hear of the portal?

CaneFan79

Dec 1, 2024

miamimike01 said:
ok. You wanna fire Mario, lol.

Who's gonna do better in roster building and portal additions?

Needs some time. 5. 7.10.

And you effing know-it-all's want him replaced?

I trust the coach. He hasn't given me a reason to think he can't do it. Everything is trending up.

Strawman much? I just said 8-4 if lucky. Okay, I will follow your lead...Who goanna do the same as Cam? Restrepo? Rivers? Arroyo? You believe Mario is gonna find that, fine, but it is a tall order and the talent drop off might not allow Miami to win the two more games they did this year.

Not unreasonable. Sorry I made you (briefly) question your bromance.

CaneFan79

Dec 1, 2024

skeeter said:
How do you know this? There is anywhere from 4 to 12 starters not yet on the team? Ever hear of the portal?

Cut and paste: Cam? Restrepo? Rivers? Arroyo? Heard of it, is that much talent going to be available and will Miami get them all? As the Brits say, Cam was "a near run thing" Does Mario get a top QB and top receiver in the same portal class? Maybe or maybe not, so 8-4 if lucky prediction stands, its only two more losses than this year.

StevoBevo

Dec 1, 2024

Next years schedule is a tough one. Honestly a 10-2 record would probably have kept us in with ease regardless of where the losses were

(not in order)
@ SMU
@ VT
@ Pitt
@ FSU
Vs UF
Vs ND
Vs Syracuse
Vs Louisville

Nc state, Stanford at home to round out ACC play + USF/Bethune cookman.

Mario went 7-6 in 2023 and brought in a top 7 class portal/HS combined per 247

Let’s see what he can do after 10-2

flips

Dec 1, 2024

WeBallinBoyz said:
One more thing I want to bring up…

What happened to Mr. Horton?

View attachment 312484

Bingo. 5 out of last 7 games he averaged less than 10ypc. He basically the slant version of what Colbie Young was as a jump ball threat last year. He's doesn't get separation down the field. Think we're making a mistake if we expect him to be more than a #3 WR next year.

A
Alex_Dynamix

Dec 1, 2024

CaneFan79 said:
Strawman much? I just said 8-4 if lucky. Okay, I will follow your lead...Who goanna do the same as Cam? Restrepo? Rivers? Arroyo? You believe Mario is gonna find that, fine, but it is a tall order and the talent drop off might not allow Miami to win the two more games they did this year.

Not unreasonable. Sorry I made you (briefly) question your bromance.

We don’t need a Cam Ward every year to WIN games just a good QB who doesn’t turn the ball over . We won 7 games last yr despite TVD gifting the other team the ball every game. Defense was just astronomically bad this season, replacing Guidry with a competent DC alone will improve next years record by multiple games..Canes fans already writing next years team off without knowing what the Roster/Staff will look like is WILD to me.

UMFarArcher

Dec 1, 2024

Angry Ibis said:
Jury has returned: All the culture improvement talk has been fraudulent and this thread lays that out.

No. The culture is fine.

We just need to whiz on this cultural aspect - and start playing like we mean it.

Get TWO COORDINATORS.

NOT ONE.

TWO! We can only seem to get one at a time worth a crap with consistency.

Coordinators who are game day coordinators. I don't give a flying **** what else you do - if you can't out scheme and outplay your opponents in different ways on different Saturdays - you need to hang it up.

What was it the Duke of Wellington said after defeating Napoleon? "They came in the same old way - and we beat them the same old way."

What works one day - on one team - won't work another day - on another team. They schemed you already.

Ho Li Crap - this concept is so basic!

S
skeeter

Dec 2, 2024

CaneFan79 said:
Cut and paste: Cam? Restrepo? Rivers? Arroyo? Heard of it, is that much talent going to be available and will Miami get them all? As the Brits say, Cam was "a near run thing" Does Mario get a top QB and top receiver in the same portal class? Maybe or maybe not, so 8-4 if lucky prediction stands, its only two more losses than this ye

DMoney said:
This one hurts deep in the soul. We had a chance for a special season and blew it. Every November feels the same for the past 20 years.

I'll dig deeper on rewatch, but my big picture view is this: Miami fell to its true level. We won games we could've lost, and we lost games we could've won. At the end, we were who we were all year.

We have a national championship offense. We have a bad defense. And we lack discipline overall. We came into this game ranked 120th in penalty yards per game. With the season on the line, we made two of the most immature penalties in team history. That was not a fluke.

Add it all up, and you get 10-2. Do I expect major defensive staff changes? Yes. But that isn't the only area we need to improve.

Mario ultimately owns all of it. He missed a rare opportunity. Now, the ownership cuts both ways- you can't blame him for the defensive misses and then ignore the strength of the offense. We were blessed to have Cam Ward, but he also landed Cam Ward and built his supporting cast. The question now becomes whether we can improve elsewhere enough to compensate for the loss of such a unique and special player.

This season will be remembered one of two ways: the beginning of something sustainable, or a fun, ultimately disappointing fluke like 2017. For true progress, this team needs to remake its defensive identity. You can fire coaches and recruit better DBs. But when you get bowled over by an Arena League running back with the season on the line, that's a cultural issue. When you look confused all year, it's deeper than talent. We had four NFL players in the 2022 secondary, and we looked just as lost as we did this year.

Was there progress? Of course. Should anyone expect us to build on that progress? That's a hard sell. The fanbase has every reason to be cynical. But none of us are going anywhere, so let's hope the build continues and we have enough material to tell lies this summer.

No mention of the field goal DMoney?

I'm having a hard time supporting defending this mfer right now. There is argument for kicking there and everyone but this idiot CMC will acknowledge it. I feel like a potentially special season and our playoff birth was sabotaged by idiodicy…A basic, obvious coaching decision.

mcnaire2004

Dec 2, 2024

skeeter said:
sabotaged by idiodicy…A basic, obvious coaching decision.

Only 3-7 more years of this left.

Number1CanesFan

Dec 2, 2024

The key is we HAD a championship level offense. We are back to square 1 on offense a la FSU.

We lose Cam Ward and only return 1 WR with experience from 3 recruiting classes under Mario.

To make matter worse, we got ZERO developmental game reps for our backup QBs and backup WRs.

I'm sure the plan is to bring in another portal QB and portal WRs with experience. The down side is that 4 years of WR recruiting will have provided just 2 WRs making game contributions in Horton and JoJo who is yet to play any significant snaps. This is the FSU black hole model. You keep portaling over recruits and they will transfer leaving a hollowed out WR room and a bigger challenge to recruit good WRs. Then your stuck in the portal because the young talent never gains experience further depleting your WR room.

M
mirasuegui

Dec 2, 2024

TemplarCane said:
Staff changes will be interesting.

There is no reason to keep Guidry past ESD. None. Elevate someone and promote one of the off-the field assistants for the bowl game. There is nothing to lose. I suspect Cam and many draft eligible players will opt out anyway.

Do not wait until February late March.

Spend and hire an upper-tier DC from a P4/P2 conference and let him evaluate the entire position staff. Consider younger NFL position coaches if highly recommended.

Harbaugh at Michigan went and got a highly thought of assistant from the Pro's, I think a Raven's assistant. His defense was improved overnight. Part of the problem with this defense is, when you lose confidence in what your DC is doing, everyone starts free lancing. Our players can't be this bad, they get worst, as they get more experience.

M
mirasuegui

Dec 2, 2024

Canesmia01 said:
We need to replace a heisman level QB, our record breaking receiver and 10/12 starters on defense. What can go wrong? Oh and the schedule won’t be a cake walk.

the 10 to 12 we are losing might be a blessing.

M
mirasuegui

Dec 2, 2024

SinisterCane said:
It was number 31 Holding penalty on 3rd and 8 that did it for me

everybody holds, these officials are ridiculous, they are literally mugging Restrepo every play, and he barely gets call. The holding called on Martinez's run was absolutely ridiculous, when you see the crap that isn't call. I can't count the number of times we get block in the back in the G Tech game, on the sweeps.

Coach Macho

Dec 2, 2024

We don't need to find another Ward if the defense gets fixed.

Just sayin.

M
mirasuegui

Dec 2, 2024

hcanes100 said:
I have a better question for those thinking we should be in the playoff. Exactly which team do you think we have the ability to beat?

Good question, every quarterback that has played us, has us on their Highlight reel.

M
mirasuegui

Dec 2, 2024

CANEFAN83 said:
It was so bad today the defense that I immediately was speculating that miami should have went for it on 4th down and goal at the 10 yard line and the tried an onsides kick since I knew our D couldn't stop them. It was obvious.

Why did Mario since he was head coach not try to force adjustments with his DC at halftime or at some point since that is his job? Maybe he doesn't know.

Did anyone think that hold on Miami's Off tackle on Martinez's 60 yard run was bogus? That was questionable I thought.

I feel the worst for Cam Ward and Restrepo who are two of the best players to ever come through Miami at their respective positions. They deserved better.

Guidry should either resign or be fired on Monday. There is no way our players on D are this bad. It's at least partly on the coaches.

I am not trying to criticize or judge as much as I am just asking honest questions. How can George commit such a selfish penalty and why does this keep happening with him?

Horton dropped a key pass on last drive also. Just jaw dropping.

How can Loften who is so highly regarded not turn around in time on a perfectly thrown ball?

This was one of worst Miami losses in last 25-30 years and it ranks up there with 1998 cuse game and 2005 gatech loss. Just inexcusable especially after being up 21-0.

I honestly am devastated after this loss and really don't have much to say other than the D really didn't surprise me but I was hoping we would show at least some improvement after last week.

It just really hurts but I am still hopeful that Mario can turn it around. But this one is going to sting for a while until we prove something hopefully next year.

With a 10 year contract with Mario, there is nothing happening there. But the D staff is a different story. We'll see what happens.

I wonder how much NIL Miami will have to work with in 2025?

I wonder how much this loss hurts recruiting?

Agree on the holding call, the defender literally went to the ground on his own. Someone explained to me why, when we are gashing the Cuse with Martinez, and Fletcher, we decide to put in Lyles for two series in the 2nd quarter. Mind you a freshman, when you have Martinez running over everyone, two drives wasted when we are up, by multiple scores.

FL Cane

Dec 2, 2024

mr.h said:
If we make the playoffs it’s because they want to feature Cam Ward.
Besides our Offense broke records.

#1 Offense in the Country
#1 QB in the Country
Top 5-10 receiving group in the country.
Top 10-15 RB duo in the country.
6 wins against bowl eligible teams.
1 loss to a now ranked 9-3 team; 1 loss to a 7-5 team that took UGA to 8OT.
Great TV Ratings

Meanwhile, Bama went 9-3 with losses to two 6-6 teams, one of which was a blowout. Carolina has played the best to close out the year, but they won't jump Bama because of the head to head.

There's a decent case we should be in. However, it's a travesty that we didn't beat Syracuse and cement our ticket.

M
mirasuegui

Dec 2, 2024

Memnon said:
If he's our starting QB next year, we'll be lucky to win 7 games.

You cannot bet the house on SF players in critical moments, they will always come up short.

If we put the hopes of our season next year in the hands of a mediocre QB, we'll deserve everything that comes with it.

This cannot be the plan. It just can't be.

Why would any 5-star quarterback come to the U, if all we do is dip into the portal, when your time is up. Can someone explain how Lashlee, basically took our rejects, and makes it to the ACC Championship, with a brand-new QB, that didn't come from the portal. The best Van Dyke looked, was when Lashlee was at the U, good grief, Van Dyke was a redshirt freshman, and got progressively worst, with Mario's hires.