Who are we?

[Mnhurricane]

I’d be very surprised if we don’t lose at least a game this year. I expect fringe playoff team that if we revamp our defensive approach I would say a likely playoff team

 

[Gables Cane]

Championship-caliber balanced offense that can take what the defense gives them.

Defense that maybe needs to realize they aren't the main character and can get away with playing bend-but-don't-break and forcing FGs and relying on the front 4 to get pressure while the back 7 plays boring bland coverage that can't be easily exploited by tricks and misdirection and plays designed to take advantage of aggressive pursuit.

Spot on.

That last paragraph might be the longest run-on sentence ever typed on this forum. It’s a great point but I ran out of breath reading it out loud!

 

[hurricaneman]

WR group is as deep and dangerous as anyone in the country

It's deep within a certain framework. We don't have anyone who can win on the outside. I think we're still trying to find someone who can break screens open. The short to intermediate game is elite.

Jacolby George and Sam Brown have been really disappointing. If Brown was the guy who was hyped up to be then we would be absolutely rolling. Chris Johnson, Sam Brown, and Martinez are the key to being so good on offense that an average defense would be good enough to win a championship.

 

[miamicanephins]

Unfortunately, if we drop to a less than top 5 or so, cam won't be in NY.

drink bleach

 

[BoxingRobes]

We are a cross between 2023 LSU and 2019 LSU. 2019 LSU kept getting better and better and better and by the end you've got pretty established high R1 players on the team. 2023 LSU had a lot of limitations like we have currently (especially the defensive backfield...they, too, were struggling with Andre Sam and what they felt were substandard DBs for the program. Also a team with a ton of transfers.

I don't like comparing us to any of our previous iterations. 2017? We had a bad QB and that was a luck based result with the turnovers we were able to create. 2013 is the same, even thought Morris was better than Rosier. But these guys are not in the same social class of QBs as Cam Ward. The coaching is much better as well. We're not as much of a luck-based team.

 

[bacane]

Championship caliber offense, but average at best defense. Will need to win some shootouts if hope to make a playoff run.

 

[HurricanePhilly]

I think everyone has summed it up. But almost every interview with Mario he clearly says we arent there yet.

Thats typically with references to smaller things but I think he is clearly well aware this season has been a blast, we are very good but flawed in a few areas.

But there is def no one on our schedule where I go "we have to win all 3 phases to win this game." We are now at the point where 2/3 is fine. But every win this year plus Mario's elite recruiting will only make this team better and better. Most of us said 10+ wins, acc champ game, and a bigger bowl win. All of that is well within reach and then some.

Take care of Louisville...1 game at a time...and dealing with growing PR that starts talking about "Is the U back, " are they a top 4 seed" etc etc.

Still a lot of new hurdles for this group of players to learn and overcome. But I like the kids who are leading to help us over them.

 

[AtlAtty]

One of two teams bowl eligible already in the country.

UM and Indiana. Who would have thought.

 

[ncncanes]

Should be some really good opinions on this. Looking forward to reading the conversations on this. For me being a 30 year fan it’s incredible to be right where we are now. Top shelf quarterback and an offense that is among the best in CFB. I think we all know the defensive liabilities at this point. It’s ok everyone we are not perfect. This saw season reminds me more of the years leading up to 2001. Mario is building us into a perennial playoff team and I am confident we’ll be in those conversations as long as he is our coach. His record reflects strength of recruiting and that is invaluable. Time management has improved this season as well so he is willing to look in the mirror and make changes not only to the team but also himself. Huge point for success for CEO’s is the ability to identify talent and admit when they make mistakes and he is doing both.

Simply for me:
I think we’re a top 15 team this year!
Defense is iffy but can make the adjustments as we have seen in the second half of games. That tells me it’s fixable during the week and not at half time.
Elite offense and that makes us dangerous. Cam will more than likely be in NYC so again enjoy watching his game changing ability.

Enjoy the ride Canes Fans. We have been thirsty for this since 03,04 when we were relevant and still feared. That time we’ll it’s here again. Don’t get caught up in the weakness because every team has weaknesses as we just witnessed. We’ll get better as the years go by trust Mario.

We are a "second level team"
- Every year there are 4 to 5 elite football teams. Very good QB, great skill players (WR and DBs) and elite OL and DL. This is not us - weak DBs and a very over rated OL
- The second level are teams ranked 5 through 30 - all of them are lacking something and each of them could beat the other team - especially with Turnovers

 

[mainecane]

I think everyone has summed it up. But almost every interview with Mario he clearly says we arent there yet.

Thats typically with references to smaller things but I think he is clearly well aware this season has been a blast, we are very good but flawed in a few areas.

But there is def no one on our schedule where I go "we have to win all 3 phases to win this game." We are now at the point where 2/3 is fine. But every win this year plus Mario's elite recruiting will only make this team better and better. Most of us said 10+ wins, acc champ game, and a bigger bowl win. All of that is well within reach and then some.

Take care of Louisville...1 game at a time...and dealing with growing PR that starts talking about "Is the U back, " are they a top 4 seed" etc etc.

Still a lot of new hurdles for this group of players to learn and overcome. But I like the kids who are leading to help us over them.

Agreed. The GAMEDAY interview response Mario gave to Saban was just that, we aren't there yet nut we are getting there. Needs to build more depth and Saban commended Mario for building from the trenches out. I like what I see from Mario but not sold on Guidry adjustment timing.

 

[BoxingRobes]

I think everyone has summed it up. But almost every interview with Mario he clearly says we arent there yet.

Thats typically with references to smaller things but I think he is clearly well aware this season has been a blast, we are very good but flawed in a few areas.

But there is def no one on our schedule where I go "we have to win all 3 phases to win this game." We are now at the point where 2/3 is fine. But every win this year plus Mario's elite recruiting will only make this team better and better. Most of us said 10+ wins, acc champ game, and a bigger bowl win. All of that is well within reach and then some.

Take care of Louisville...1 game at a time...and dealing with growing PR that starts talking about "Is the U back, " are they a top 4 seed" etc etc.

Still a lot of new hurdles for this group of players to learn and overcome. But I like the kids who are leading to help us over them.

When you're still sending out players like Zach Carpenter on the OL. DYoni Hill and JaDais Richard at CB. Needing to fill the roster with Marley Cook. Having to acquire Sam Brown. Yeah, you're not there yet. Those are solid P5 starter and role player types...but not where you want to be at all for a real run.

 

[P-Tizzle]

Well said. I agree. We also have good special teams.

you have said multiple times that Miami has good special teams but I haven't seen you give reasons why you believe this.

So far Miami is ranked:

79th in KO return defense
95th in Net punting
61st in Punt Returns
110th in Punt Return Defense


Borregales is 7/8 on FG attempts which is really, really good, although there are 14 other kickers who haven't missed yet this year.

But are you saying we have good special teams because we haven't allowed a TD yet?

 

[JG13]

Championship-caliber balanced offense that can take what the defense gives them.

Defense that maybe needs to realize they aren't the main character and can get away with playing bend-but-don't-break and forcing FGs and relying on the front 4 to get pressure while the back 7 plays boring bland coverage that can't be easily exploited by tricks and misdirection and plays designed to take advantage of aggressive pursuit.

This x 100

Get rid of the big chunk plays we're giving up on defense during practice/film study the next 2 weeks. Plug Zaquan into the Matrix somehow and upload another year of experience into his cranium so he can take a safety spot. Group prayer asking for Damari's injury to heal real quick.

 

[The canesman]

There’s only one stat that matters it’s the w’s

 

[Flynell7]

Cam will end up winning it. Milroe played his way out of it on Friday and Hunter will lose too many games.

Jeanty will have a shot but I don’t see Heisman with him

Cam is the front runner. Too early to say Milroe played himself out of it though. They still have conference games against decent opponents like Tennessee, lsu

 

[ageezy]

not sure how anyone can tell us who we are defensively until we get our full complement of players back ... bain has played one game ... i do agee about the secondary, we have to make some changes

 

[RightSaidFred]

Cam is the front runner. Too early to say Milroe played himself out of it though. They still have conference games against decent opponents like Tennessee, lsu

Milroe isn't on the same planet as Cam. I don't know how anyone can watch both of them play and think that there's even a debate.

He's only getting the hype because he plays for Alabama.

Now that wide receiver he has, Williams, that kid is legit.