Monday Musings: Cam Ward continues path to New York City

IIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTT’SSSSSSSS MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!

And another victory Monday at that. Those never get old. As such, you wonderful souls know just what that means.

Let’s slip on the orange and green Lederhosen, grab those mugs, and pour some of those frothy Miami Hurricanes-related thoughts straight from my mind.

1) Cam Ward continues to do Cam Ward things. And at this point, there’s absolutely no doubt that he’s the greatest quarterback in all of college football.

21/32, 319 yards, 4 touchdowns. Added 7 rushes for 29 yards as well (with some of that lost from sacks). Flat out nails when the Canes needed him to be as well. Treasure it, Miami fans. We haven’t seen a QB performance like this in a season, probably ever. And who knows when we will again. What I wouldn’t have given for years of this.

2) And as the greatest quarterback in all of college football, that means that he should have damned near all but booked his trip to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.

Yeah, we’re 8 weeks into the season. There’s plenty more football left to play. But honestly, do you see him slowing down, particularly against the schedule that Miami has left to play? I surely do not. 7 straight games with 300+ yards passing, which is the first time in program history that’s happened.

3) And speaking of Heisman, Ward continues to have Heisman-moment-worthy throws.

He had one against Florida. He had one very similar against Louisville on Saturday. He darted outside the pocket and uncorked a laser slightly across his body deep into the corner of the end zone to Jacolby George for an incredible touchdown.

Just filthy.

4) So…for a while I was thinking Mark Fletcher, Jr. should be the starting RB moving forward.

And then, Damien Martinez made me realize why he should also be the starting RB. And then I said “noooo, what are you doing?!” when Ajay Allen went into the game. And then I was like, “oh, never mind. Carry on.” each time he touched the ball late in the game.

My GOD, Miami’s got some horses in the backfield. That Martinez run for the game’s final points was as much of a bulldozer of a run as you’ll see from a college player. Running, spinning, carrying defenders with him into the end zone. And Fletcher was bursting through earlier and looking fast and physical.

Plenty of talent in that group, but I dare you to find a better one-two punch in all of college football in the backfield. You can’t.

5) And I like the balance that Miami has on offense right now.

37 rushes to 32 passes. 220 yards on the ground Saturday (6.0 ypc). Miami’s offense is running over people, and it’s throwing past them as well. Just a machine right now that’s hard to game plan for.

6) Buuuuuuuuuuuuut…..the team also has a defense. And that’s an unfortunate thing with this group.

That marks the third straight game that Miami has allowed 34 or more points. Cal had no business putting up 38, and that was the worst defensive showing of the season by far. However, Miami still was abysmal on Saturday, particularly on the back end. This team’s secondary cannot cover worth a crap, and the missed tackles continue to be a problem. Miami’s going to be able to keep opposing running games somewhat in check from week to week, but if they cover as poorly as they have, then it’s not going to matter against teams that drop back and pick them apart like Louisville did on Saturday. Sure, yes, Tyler Shough and his pass catchers are among the best that Miami will face this season. However, that type of performance, with an off day from the offense could mean a loss later in the season.

If only this secondary was better, man. What a team this could be.

7) BUT, it’s FSU week! It’s a special time of year, and we’re going to have plenty to talk about this week, with predictions to come.

However, I will never take that team for granted. It doesn’t matter to me what the records are. Miami will get their best shot, and they have to be ready. I don’t care about a 19.5 point spread. This is a game that Miami needs to be as motivated for as any on their schedule. This needs to be the game that Miami wants to not just beat FSU, but to embarrass them terribly. To deliver that rare home beatdown of the Noles that has very rarely happened in several decades (2020 being the exception).

And Miami can deliver that seventh loss and lock up a losing season and no bowl game for FSU. After last year, that would be hilarious.

Go Canes!