IIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTT’SSSSSSSSSSSSSS MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
And….it’s a game week Monday again. The Canes are taking on Iowa State in the Pop Tarts Bowl on Saturday, and one Cameron Ward is suiting up for Miami. Ergo, it’s must-watch television.
So let’s buckle those seat belts, clickety-clack our way up the track, and go careening around the corners of the Miami Hurricanes-related tracks of thought spread out through my brain.
1) So, yeah. The Playoff games were U-G-L-Y. Saturday was boring and uncompetitive (well, Friday too if you count IU-Notre Dame).
And what does that mean for Miami? Well, I think two things. First, it kind of validated at least the argument that Miami should have been more strongly considered. Kirk Herbstreit wanted to cry and moan after the game about how the best teams, NOT the most deserving ones, should have been in. That kind of felt like stumping for the 9-loss posse of the SEC, but I think Miami deserves to be in that conversation as well.
A theme amongst the teams getting trucked was an embarrassing lack of offense for much of the blame. That’s where Miami would have succeeded. There’s little doubt this offense will put up points on pretty much anyone. And that alone gives Miami a chance to be competitive against just about anyone.
And Miami didn’t get blown out once, providing competitive games each week – oh, unless they were blowing teams out, like Florida, Florida State, and USF. Yes, those games happened regardless of the bizarre chest-beating bravado that Florida fans have been exhibiting since arriving at 8-5 and winning the last-month-of-the-season national championship. 41-17. See you fools next year.
2) The other thing it means is that Miami could end up in the final top 10 with 11 wins if they can win on Saturday.
Finishing in the top 10 at 11-2 would be a terrific thing for this program. That would be a nice rung to hang your hat on for a solid season. And thanks to all four road teams getting absolutely handled on Friday/Saturday in the playoff, it’s a legit possibility.
Indiana tacked on two late scores to do some window dressing on a beatdown. SMU was embarrassed, as was Tennessee. Clemson sort of hung but was not really in the game after the first half.
All in all, for those wanting to see Miami make the top 10, it worked out pretty darned well.
3) I admit, I have been busy over the weekend, but I did note that there’s been some portalmania over the last week.
Of course, Isaiah Horton ended up following through and finding a new home in the portal, heading to Alabama. That’s a huge loss, no way around that. Hate it. Missing out on QB John Mateer, who signed with Oklahoma, is also a big kick in the pants. I have a feeling that kid is going to be really good next season for OU.
But, the portal giveth, as well as taketh away. CJ Daniels seems to be a pretty good pickup and possible replacement from LSU. Mario added two secondary players in Jax State S Zechariah Poyser and Michigan State CB Charles Brantley, as well as Louisiana Tech DL David Blay. I don’t know what to make of them right now, but all are need areas, so that’s good to see. At this point, every time I see a secondary player visiting or targeted, I’m happy. Going to be that way for a while after this rough end of the season.
We’ll see if the Canes can deliver a memorable finish to the season on Saturday afternoon in Orlando.
Go Canes!