Considering that I never complained about the officials in any of UT's losses in the last two seasons, I'd take that bet. UT's going to be fine in SOS. With games against OU, Nebraska in Nebraska, Kansas State, etc., there is quality on the schedule. Also, Miami may have done poorly in a couple of games last year, but Hybl's performance in the second half was extremely reminiscent of all of last year, when they couldn't even score 14 points against the mighty OSU Cowboys at home. It's not just one game... there's a pattern. OU is in major trouble in any game that Nate Hybl is the quarterback, and today proved no different. He can't move, has poor accuracy, an average arm, etc.
my god Miami's speed is amazing! all this after losing five #1 NFL picks???? are you kidding me? I wonder how many recruits they're getting after tonight's exhibition! That secondary is great, and its so young! and to think that mcgahee isn't their #1 back!!!! looks like Miami should get ALL 1st place votes on Monday. i think we found the reason Steve Superior chose this year to leave for the NFL!!! Horns would get crushed by this team in a national championship game
I have followed Miami football since 1983, and I have to say, in all honesty, I was blown away with how dominating the Canes were today. I used to think that the last 4 Jimmy Johnson teams (1985-88) were the best in Miami history (better than the first 4 Erickson teams of 1989-92), but this latest Miami team going back to 2000 may wind up being the best of them all. Obviously, the key to the game was the line of scrimmage. Miami controlled both lines with them getting over 300 yards rushing. Yea, they have lost McKinnie, Joaquin Gonzalez, and 2 other starters, but the guys they have now may be better run blockers than the old ones. Miami's front 7 led by William Joseph, Jonathan Vilma, Jerome McDougle, and DJ Williams is just absolutely dominant. The fact that they could get away with playing 2 safeties back the whole game and force Grossman to throw underneath was the big key to winning this game. Really with the exception of some rare poor decisions by Dorsey that led to 3 interceptions, 1 td for Florida and 2 missed TD opportunities for the Canes and a score of penalties (although one was a bull**** call against Antrel Rolle that negated an interception and what would have been another TD for Miami), I can't complain. Miami could have easily hung 50 on the Gators, and I wish that they did. Florida is nothing but a bunch of chicken**** p*****s who have ducked Miami for 15 years. Well, their ducking caught up with them today. I don't care if Spurrier was there coaching, the Gators would have still gotten their asses kicked. The big key for Miami is to stay focused. They still have tough games left with FSU (at home), Tennessee (on the road), and Virginia Tech (at home), but it is also imperative that they don't let a BC or Syracuse or Pitt sneak up on them and upset them like BC ALMOST did last season. But so far so good in the quest for a repeat National Championship. BTW - Willis McGahee, who absolutely destroyed the Gators, may be the most physically gifted specimen to ever play at Miami. He runs a 4.28 40, bench presses 375 lbs, and has like a 42 inch vertical. I sure am glad that he is with the Canes and not FSU or Florida!
A lot of credit to Miami today - they absolutely creamed the Gators and are on an impressive winning streak. However, you can't overlook the ineptness of Florida. The only reason the score was that close was due to a couple of mental mistakes by Dorsey that led to 2 Florida INTs...Florida's just not that good. I told a lot of people last week that UF's victory over UAB was a fluke; that UAB was a very weak opponent and that Miami would do a number on Florida. I didn't expect the game to be this lopsided, however. But...as a Seminole fan, I hate the Gators more than the Hurricanes - so I'm kinda happy about the win. More than anything, this will give Foley (UF's AD) an excuse to duck out of a seasonal series versus Miami after next season. UF fans typically use their "strength of schedule" as basis to why they are better than FSU and UM - well, over the years, UF's lost more games to the best teams in the nations, then ducks out of those non-conference games. Miami certainly was Gator Bait tonight - they baited the Gators into their trap and closed it shut right from the get go. I'm interested in watching the FSU-UM game next month. Florida State's strength on defensive is run-stopping, while their best offense is the running game. Right now, Miami looks to be much the same way - McGahee was very impressive tonight, for one, and their defense shut down Earnest Graham. Miami has the edge now...but that game will not be a lopsided affair, especially as FSU continues to mature. Iowa State and Virginia, FSU's 2 opponents thus far, are proving themselves not to be flukes as they beat up on some good teams and run up the score against others. Should be one heck of a game next month.
OU's defense is still very, very good. The Horns should win, but we need to bring their A game for once against them. Oh, course if OU is looking ahead they could lose at Missou the week before the RRSO. UNC and the ACC had good days today--that will help next weeks game with the BCS. Miami looked great. That said, I believe all you need to do to defeat them is to beat them in the trenches. Of course part of this is obvious (this is almost always true in football), the other part I am getting at is Dorsey and the offense can't improvise worth a darn. Pressure them, you can beat them, if you can't pressure them you better score in the 30s--not likely against their defense. VT will not have a chance unless they go with one of the young QBs, the offense with Noel would have zero chance against Miami. I like FSU or Tenn to have better chances to beat them. Hopefully someone beats them, it would be hard for them to get in the NC game unless they win them all with that weak Big East schedule (Miami and VT are the only good teams period). Sorry Manny, I am tired of Miami, someone needs to take them and their arrogance out.
That's fine, DS. I know a lot of people can't stand the fact that the Canes are back. I couldn't stand to see Miami suck like they did in the mid '90s. Hopefully, they won't make the mistake of getting on probation again, and can continue to get the athletes they are getting. However, they are not anywhere close to being arrogant as the old Miami teams, especially the wild and out-of-control Dennis Erickson teams or the infamous combat fatigue team of '86. Sure, they did some stupid penalties today, but you got remember that Florida is a hated rival and a team that many Miami fans feel have deliberately ducked them over the past 15 years. So, yeah, they are going to be a little jacked up. But if you really think that these Canes are more arrogant than the ones that racked up a then Cotton Bowl record of penalties against Texas or the combat fatigues team, than no offense, but you don't have a clue of what you are talking about.
I never made that claim. But even that scrawny, can't thrown on the run for the life of him, QB, was talking crap after they we up. Shows your "real tough" when you have that line to protect you and are not taking hits. I respect the Canes on the field, no doubt. I'd even rout for them against OU, ND, PSU, UO--maybe a few others. I just think it is time for them to knocked down a notch.
And you don't think that some of the Florida players were talking smack?? Come on, don't pin all of the blame on Dorsey. I know Miami talks trash, but so do all of the teams out there. If you don't like Miami, that's fine. You're not the first person I have heard that dislikes them and you won't be the last. But, please spare me the "arrogant excuse" when there are other teams that do the same thing.
Not when they were down 3 TDs they weren't Miami isn't too bad--I have rooted for them in the past quite often actually. I would agree they are not totally out of the ordinary among great teams talking smack--but they certainly are not high on modesty and I thought Dorsey's stuff was a little extra bush league for a guy by and large not taking or delivering hits. Of course this probably was not the only thing going on, it was just one of the things I saw the stuck in my mind and rubbed me the wrong way. Manny, here is where you come back with "well, you got to try to understand, it is hard to be humble when you are as great as we are"
Miami's got a right to run smack because, well, they've won approximately 25 games in a row. Until someone can knock 'em off, they are backing up all of their talk with actions.