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Haven't sat down and watched the replay yet, but here are some general thoughts after watching the game in-person:
- As a Miami fan, you hope this loss is like Alabama's loss in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. In Saban's second year, Bama became relevant for the first time in forever but finished the season on a two-game losing streak. They got outclassed by Florida in the SEC championship and got beat by a non-Power 5 team (Utah) in the Sugar Bowl by two touchdowns. They signed a monster recruiting class with 5 first round picks, plus Eddie Lacy and AJ McCarron, and the rest is history.
- Wisconsin is the type of team that exposes where you are weak. If Miami is at its best, Wisconsin can't play with them. But Miami isn't ready for primetime in a few areas, and they were all on display last night.
- The first is obvious. Rosier completed 45% of his passes over the last three games. You can't win like that in 21st century college football. The first two INTs were demoralizing momentum killers. There are many reasons for the losing streak, but the simplest explanation is the best one.
- The second issue is third-down defense. Miami was 65th this year. That's unacceptable for a team with an elite pass rush that finished second nationally in sacks per game. Wisconsin went 7-15 last night with several backbreakers. They just out-executed Miami. Chryst moved Hornibrook around and schemed to neutralize the rush, Hornibrook was accurate and the receivers made contested catches.
- It was easy to notice the true freshmen on the field. Deejay Dallas, Jeff Thomas and Mike Harley are truly dynamic and should affect defensive gameplans going forward. Trajan Bandy and Navaughn Donaldson did what they do. Derrick Smith played a ton and stands out physically. Corey Gaynor needs to tighten up his pass blocking but also played. Jeff Feagles had his best game. Bradley Jennings got his most meaningful action, presumably because of his stoutness in the running game. Amari Carter and DeAndre Wilder made tackles on special teams. This is a young team.
- The talk about Miami being physically overmatched is flat wrong, in my opinion. Miami actually outrushed Wisconsin (174 to 142) and almost doubled their yards per attempt (6.0 to 3.2). They just got out-executed by a well-coached team, particularly in the passing game.
- This is a much different feeling than 2009 or 2013. The spirit was there. If there were any stretches of flat play, I chalk it up to deflating turnovers. That can turn around pretty quickly once the passing game inspires confidence again.
- There will be time to break down the roster going forward, but I think some of our major issues during the streak (DB depth, a playmaking void after the three big offensive injuries, QB competition) will be addressed by this class. I'll miss watching the seniors, especially Braxton Berrios and Chad Thomas. They left the program much better than they found it.
- As a Miami fan, you hope this loss is like Alabama's loss in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. In Saban's second year, Bama became relevant for the first time in forever but finished the season on a two-game losing streak. They got outclassed by Florida in the SEC championship and got beat by a non-Power 5 team (Utah) in the Sugar Bowl by two touchdowns. They signed a monster recruiting class with 5 first round picks, plus Eddie Lacy and AJ McCarron, and the rest is history.
- Wisconsin is the type of team that exposes where you are weak. If Miami is at its best, Wisconsin can't play with them. But Miami isn't ready for primetime in a few areas, and they were all on display last night.
- The first is obvious. Rosier completed 45% of his passes over the last three games. You can't win like that in 21st century college football. The first two INTs were demoralizing momentum killers. There are many reasons for the losing streak, but the simplest explanation is the best one.
- The second issue is third-down defense. Miami was 65th this year. That's unacceptable for a team with an elite pass rush that finished second nationally in sacks per game. Wisconsin went 7-15 last night with several backbreakers. They just out-executed Miami. Chryst moved Hornibrook around and schemed to neutralize the rush, Hornibrook was accurate and the receivers made contested catches.
- It was easy to notice the true freshmen on the field. Deejay Dallas, Jeff Thomas and Mike Harley are truly dynamic and should affect defensive gameplans going forward. Trajan Bandy and Navaughn Donaldson did what they do. Derrick Smith played a ton and stands out physically. Corey Gaynor needs to tighten up his pass blocking but also played. Jeff Feagles had his best game. Bradley Jennings got his most meaningful action, presumably because of his stoutness in the running game. Amari Carter and DeAndre Wilder made tackles on special teams. This is a young team.
- The talk about Miami being physically overmatched is flat wrong, in my opinion. Miami actually outrushed Wisconsin (174 to 142) and almost doubled their yards per attempt (6.0 to 3.2). They just got out-executed by a well-coached team, particularly in the passing game.
- This is a much different feeling than 2009 or 2013. The spirit was there. If there were any stretches of flat play, I chalk it up to deflating turnovers. That can turn around pretty quickly once the passing game inspires confidence again.
- There will be time to break down the roster going forward, but I think some of our major issues during the streak (DB depth, a playmaking void after the three big offensive injuries, QB competition) will be addressed by this class. I'll miss watching the seniors, especially Braxton Berrios and Chad Thomas. They left the program much better than they found it.
