A post-mortem on a huge choke job.
This is not going to be a “normal” three stars article from me after a historic loss by my favorite team. No tweets or videos, just my thoughts regarding one of the biggest choke jobs I have watched in years.
I will give one star today, and it goes to Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward. He played his ass off yesterday. He deserved better from his offensive and defensive teammates. He has been the shining light of the Canes this entire season. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and rooting for him since I got to see him live in Gainesville back on August 31st. It’s a shame Canes fans and college football fans won’t get to watch him compete in the CFP later this month.
You’re reading this article this morning instead of immediately after the game because I had to drive back to North Florida from Murrells Inlet, SC last night. (I have a 20-month old son and it’s much easier to drive at night when he is tired and can sleep most of the way home.) Anyway, we spent Thanksgiving weekend there with family thanks to my parents’ lovely friends that allowed us to use their beach house. It was a great few days filled with family, food, and laughter. My aunt, cousin, and her daughters got to see my little boy for the first time in almost a year. I wish we were all still there enjoying the beach and each other’s company.
Then my dad and I sat down to watch the Miami game yesterday afternoon. It was brutal. I always follow the SOTU twitter account during the game (thanks Cam). I have never agreed more with an assessment of the Canes, both during and after the loss. The defense was atrocious. The officiating was bad, but when isn’t it at this point? (The refs were not the reason Miami lost, I know.) To top it off, the decision to kick a field goal to go down four points with under four minutes left in the game was unforgivable. It was insulting to Cam Ward and the Miami offense. It was insulting to us fans who knew the defense wouldn’t be able to get the ball back.
I mention my Thanksgiving trip above because after such an incredible weekend, I was frustrated and pissed off for my five-hour drive home. It shouldn’t be that way.
I could keep going on and on with my frustrations, but why bother. I was more invested in this season of Miami Hurricanes football than I have been in years. The Canes fielded their best roster in nearly two decades. They had a more-than-manageable schedule. They had Cam Ward leading their offense. They had everything to play for. And they still couldn’t get it done.
I think this loss broke me as a die-hard Canes fan. I’m 42 years old. I used to know just about everything regarding Miami Hurricanes football. I knew the roster inside and out. I could name every Miami first-round draft pick from the last 30 years. But after last night, I don’t see how I can invest the same amount of time and energy I had previously.
I know some people will say “that’s life” or “some things in life don’t work out, get back up” or something like that. I understand that sentiment, but I don’t agree with it. This isn’t real life, it’s college football.
I am going to enjoy my day today with my wife, little boy, and step kids. I am not going to consume any college football analysis or think about the Miami Hurricanes football program. I’m over it. I’m over the conference realignment. I’m over the constant arguing of which team’s resume is better. I’m over the SEC and B1G bias. I’m over the awful officiating across the country. I’m over college football in the 2020s.
I still love contributing to SOTU. Putting together my Three Stars, ACC Power Rankings and ACC Rooting Guide are three of the biggest highlights of my week. It’s fun, keeps me writing, and is a nice break from my boring day job.
I just don’t think I can care as much about Miami Hurricanes football as I used to. And with the “leadership” and “coaching” Mario and his staff showed yesterday, why should I?
Who were your three stars of the game? Let us know in the comments below.