Just Out Of Reach

Hello All,

The Miami Hurricanes season was lost in a Game of Inches (wow, that sounded like the beginning of an ESPN article, no?).

Miami just never seemed to get the inch they needed in big spots.

A foot on the sideline here. A diving catch for the opponent there. Jacory was a couple of inches off on his passes, and Wisconsin was able to keep the game an inch or two out of the grasp of the Hurricanes.

At the end of the day, the ‘Canes lost because, as Al Pacino said in his famous “Any Given Sunday” locker room speech, they were unable to win the inches that were everywhere around them.

It was sadly poetic that the game would end on a ball that landed an inch short of Thearon Collier on 4th and 14. The turf gave way from under him on his cut, he couldn’t get back to the ball, and just like that a late game surge of momentum was wasted and the game over.

Wisconsin won because, at the end of the day, they were slower.

They worked seconds off of the clock throughout the game. They squared up and caught balls with no real concern for making something happen after the catch. After all, that is what they do. They play station to station football. This is the type of football that Earl Weaver would have played. They grind it out. They try and take speed out of the game when they can.

And in this game, it was just what the doctor ordered.

Miami just got beat in every aspect of the game.

Miami caught their fair share of bounces, but time and again they were unable to make anything happen.

While the final score was close, the game really was not. This was very much like the Virginia Tech game, the only other time the ‘Canes were taken completely out of their element.

Wisconsin, to their credit, forced the ‘Canes in to a slow-down, pound it out affair for which they were not well equipped. The Badgers, even after a blitzkrieg first 23 seconds saw the ‘Canes return a kick for a touchdown (called back to the 16 after a phantom penalty…and why wouldn’t it be?) and then readjust and score a touchdown on the ground, never took their eye off the ball. They did exactly what everyone expected, and did it very well.

Miami, meanwhile, was confusing to watch. The offense lacked any sort of rhyme or reason for all but the second to last drive, which was run out of the shotgun no-huddle against a prevent defense.

Jacory was not himself; he looked far more injured than lost to me, but others may have a different opinion. The offensive line was outfoxed by the Wisconsin defensive line. The receivers could not keep their footing. The whole unit was a mess.

The defense was not without fault. They could not find a way to cover Lance Kendricks, who finished with seven HUGE catches, most seemingly for big gains on 3rd Down.

However, when the unit is forced on to the field for the majority of the game (I do not know the exact statistics because I was too upset to look at the game stats and have now vowed to never look at them) and still only gives up 20 points, forces multiple turnovers and holds the opposing offense to 3 second half points, your team should win.

And the ‘Canes didn’t.

The game was just out of their reach all night.

Am I shocked? Yes.

Here’s why:

All year long, this team has held the capability to lay over and play dead for 58 minutes and then make something out of nothing. They seem to thrive on winning when they shouldn’t.

After the ‘Canes cut the lead to 6 and went out for the onside kick, my brother and I joked “Twenty bucks Matt Bosher recovers his own kick here.”

And then he actually did it.

Right after a score. With just over a minute left. At midfield. Were the ‘Canes going to score? Yes.

SIDENOTE: Billy Stein, in the midst of our near-heart attacks: “If we had a sister, Bosher could definitely bang her.”

And then the ‘Canes went 4 plays and game over. I don’t know if there was anyone in the stadium who though we were going to lose that game after recovering the onsider.

And maybe that is the best way to wrap up this blog written after the season finale.

We might not have won them all, but we expected to win them all. Even when the odds were completely against us, we never thought this team was out of it.

Last year, the team found itself in pretty much the same scenario against Cal. They didn’t win then either. I also remember never thinking they were going to. I hoped they would. I wanted them to. I was mad that they didn’t. But deep down, I didn’t expect them to.

This year I did.

On paper, this season will only represent a 2 win improvement.

For anyone that watched this team, even in a bowl game that can only be described as a debacle, they know that the reality is vastly different then what the paper will tell you.

Best wishes to Graig Cooper and any one else who sustained an injury, best of luck to those leaving the team (once a 'Cane, always a 'Cane) and, as always, guard the inbound passer.

The Bowl Preview...And Way Too Many Movie Analogies

Hello All,

My, how time flies. It seems like only yesterday I was curled up in a ball on my couch, clutching my football, praying that Miami’s win against FSU would be upheld upon further review.

Only yesterday that I came close to crying tears of joy after the Georgia Tech beatdown.

Only yesterday that I nearly cried tears of sadness after losing to Virginia Tech, Clemson and North Carolina.

Only yesterday that I startled the neighbors with my shrieks (yes, shrieks) during the close win against Wake Forest.

Only yesterday that I had a loyal readership of only 15 people…wait, that was yesterday.

And now, we reach the end of this winding road with a bowl game against the Badgers, who hail from the Ice Planet Hoth (Star Wars? Anyone?).

Oh, how I hate everything the Badgers represent (sorry Doug, you’re still the man).

You see, I lived in Wisconsin from the ages of 12-18. In other words, I moved there after everyone’s social circles were already formed (as sad as it sounds) and at an age when everyone likes to make fun of the new kid. Mercilessly. I wasn’t a big fan. Not of the small-mindedness. Not of the 9 month winters. And certainly not of the distance from the beach.

Anyway, the Badgers in particular are not the problem. It is the fact that they are the only D-1 representative of a state I hate so much.

SIDENOTE: I have visited something like 40 of the 50 states in the Union. Someone once asked me my bottom five. They are, in order of least appealing to slightly more appealing:

1.) New Jersey
2.) New Jersey
3.) New Jersey
4.) Wisconsin
5.) Indiana

They also represent the Big Ten, an overrated conference that plays a BORING style of football. That isn’t to say that the Badgers are a bad team, or that this won’t be a close game. But somewhere along the way the “forward pass” has become frowned upon in this conference. And yet I digress. The Big Ten is kind of similar to "Sherlock Holmes". Big budget. Lots of advertising. VERY mediocre to watch. (PS…Robert Downey and Jude Law were good individually but couldn’t carry a lousy script, kind of like Terrell Pryor can’t carry a conference’s hopes and dreams no matter how well he plays because the conference sucks. So there, it wasn’t an analogy just for analogy’s sake!)

They represent all the morons I grew up with (during the peak of the ‘Cane resurgence, no less) who every year claimed that Miami wouldn’t be able to stay on the field with the Polar Ice Cap Badgers.

They represent the last thing standing between the ‘Canes and a return to the big time (well, them and the maddening, maddening turnovers…)

SIDENOTE: Why the f%ck do people still live in Northeast Wisconsin? Why? Explain to me the logic, please. The river that used to be the center of the region has been polluted to the tune of needing a BILLION dollars of cleanup. Fur trading isn’t exactly big business anymore…I can’t remember the last time I bought something by trading 3 rabbit pelts. Why would people live in a place that is below 10 degrees for three straight months EVERY year? Why would people live in a place where it has snowed in May? Why would people live in an area that requires indoor baseball practice until the end of April? Why, why, WHY!?!?!?

This game, pitting the Hurricanes of sunny Miami against the Badgers of Siberia, has taken on a bigger meaning for my brother and me than most, I would say. It is even more epic in my mind than "Avatar", which I saw twice already (in a word, “game changing”…ok that’s two words, but still). So, yeah, it’s a big deal.

BREAKDOWN

Wisconsin had no quality wins, losing their three toughest games to Ohio State, Iowa and Northwestern.

Their stats are also skewed by blowing out Wofford and Hawaii and winning struggles against Northern Illinois and Fresno State. Just puttin’ that out there.

Anyway, the game plan for Miami is essentially going to be the same as it has been. On offense: establish the run early with Cooper and James, set up the play action on first down, use the advantage that the ‘Canes have in perimeter speed and bring in Damien Berry to finish the job. On defense: crowd the box and mix up the looks on the front seven to slow the run game down, finish tackles, and don’t get beat on play action by Wisconsin’s good tight ends.

Sound familiar? It is essentially the USF game plan.

Miami averages 31.7 ppg, and Wisconsin averages 32.8. Like I said, they ran it up on Wofford and Hawaii. Not to mention Michigan, who quit halfway through the season. Let’s not get too excited.

On D, Wisconsin is 18th in Total D, including 8th overall in Rush Defense. They struggle in the passing game, but still are the 18th overall defense in the nation (against a schedule of cupcakes).

Miami ranked 25th overall, which seems better than I thought…and then I remembered that the Run D has been very solid in the second half of the season after no-showing for the first half (minus Georgia Tech). In other words, Miami got stronger as the season went along. Which, Justin, is what young defenses do. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it. Miami is 28th in Rush Defense and 38th in Pass Defense.

QB- I keep hearing Wisconsin fans saying things like “Scott Tolzien is pretty solid if he isn’t pressured”. Yeah? You don’t say! Well, if my aunt had balls she’d be my uncle. Jacory is many things. One of those things is “better than Scott Tolzien”. And that is knowing full well that he might throw 7 interceptions and make me look stupid. Especially without Jason Fox. Wisconsin averaged 209 ypg through the air; Miami averaged 268 ypg. EDGE: Miami

RB- John Clay was Big 10 Offensive Player of the Year. That plus 50 cents will get you on the bus. In all seriousness, he is a very tough runner and a load to bring down. He is Wisconsin’s best player and is more vital to their offense than Miami’s triumvirate in totality. However, look for Baby J to have a big day in his final game for Miami, Cooper to get the ball a lot out of the backfield and Damien Berry to be the second half hammer. Pretty much the USF game plan. Wisconsin averaged 4.2 ypc, which the ‘Canes cannot afford to give up. EDGE: Wisconsin

Receiver- Wisconsin has Nick Toon at receiver and Garret Graham at tight end (a very underrated player, says Stein on the Sidelines)…and that’s about it. Miami has more talent and more depth at both positions; they will come in droves. EDGE: Miami

Offensive Line- I mean, this is Wisconsin we’re talking about. And Jason Fox is out. EDGE: Wisconsin

Defensive Line- Wisconsin will be bringing pressure with ends O’Brien Schofield and J.J. Watt. Miami will be healthy for the first time in a while and cause matchup problems with Allen Bailey. EDGE: Even

Linebackers- Wisconsin has some talent, but Daryl Sharpton has been a beast lately and is playing for draft money against a run-heavy O. EDGE: Miami

Secondary- Miami gets the edge because every Wisconsin fan I have talked to says something like the following: “our secondary sucks”. I am going on that alone. EDGE: Miami

Special Teams- Matt Bosher has been phenomenal punting as of late. Wisconsin has better coverage teams, Miami has more explosive returners. Bosher is the better kicker. EDGE: Miami

Coaching- Brett Bielema and his staff at the southern edge of the polar ice cap have won bowl games before. Randy Shannon and crew have not. EDGE: Wisconsin

And there you have it.

I will not pick, as keeping with tradition. But you know how I feel.

As Billy Stein so eloquently put it the day after we learned of our bowl matchup:

“Bucky Badger, your nuts are mine”.

Let’s hope he’s right. If not, I will be more depressed than I was during the last fifteen minutes of “Up in the Air”. Go ‘Canes.

Always guard the inbound passer. And while you're at it, check out my newest venture as the co-writer of the Miami Heat blog "Hot Hot Hoops", part of the ESPN/HoopNation series: http://www.hothothoops.com

Happy Holidays!

Hello All,

Not much new to add as I prepare my preview for the bowl game, which I plan to do exceptionally well because I hate Wisconsin so much.

Just wanted to say happy holidays to my readers. I know I often joke about how few there are, and there probably aren't many, but still, I appreciate every single one of you. This has been a tough year for a lot of people, and I would be lying if I said I have been down at times. The feedback I have gotten from this blog, which is really the biggest stress reliever I have at times, has helped me get through a lot of those times.

So have a great holiday, enjoy being with your loved ones, and take some time to reflect on how lucky we all are. Times may be tough, but as long as we're still breathin' we still have a lot goin' for us.

Always guard the inbound passer.

The Mystique....The Tradition...The Papajohns.com Bowl!

Hello All,

Time for the annual Bowl Extravaganza!...which I am doing for the first time. Every bowl, no matter how irrelevant, no matter how ill-advised, gets a fair shot here. This is also where I bring my 55-40 weekly picks record to the table. I encourage anyone out there to put their bowl picks up against these. Billy Stein? You’re done. Russo? You’re done. Frankie Carbone? Screwed. Steph? Bring it on. Scarpa? Please read this and THEN tell me that the bowl system is sacred and works better than a playoff would. I dare you. SIDENOTE: Is it sad that I just named off 80% of my readers?

New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State over Wyoming

I’ve said all season, Fresno running back Ryan Mathews reminds me of Maurice Jones-Drew. When I know almost nothing about either team, that’s enough.

St. Petersburg Bowl: Rutgers over UCF

Man, I wish we would’ve hired Greg Schiano instead of Randy Shannon. I mean, anytime you can hire a guy who annually places a team in the middle of the pack in the Big East and qualifies them for the St. Petersburg bowl, you’re definitely making a move up in the world, right? And now, every know-nothing Miami "fan" from Upper New Jersey will go jump in the East River. I hope.

New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs. Middle Tennessee State

Think this is what the people at R&L Carriers had in mind when they agreed to sponsor this game? Yikes. Moral of the story for these first three games: don’t name your bowl game after a geographical location. Why can’t we call this one the Jambalaya Bowl? The Hurricane Bowl? The Bourbon Street Bowl? Give me one good reason.

Las Vegas Bowl: Oregon State over BYU

This is actually a good matchup. I’ll take the Rogers brothers over the Stormin’ Mormons in one of the better games of the bowl season.

Poinsettia Bowl: Utah over Cal

Well, at least I won’t have my “2008 ‘Canes PTSD” triggered by watching Jahvid Best eviscerate another team. So that’s a positive.

Hawaii Bowl: Nevada over SMU

I saw someone rate this as the best bowl matchup of the season. Ummmmm….I am speechless. On a sidenote, Shawnbrey McNeal has been tearing it up for the Mustangs. Good to see him doing well for himself.

Little Caesars Bowl: Ohio over Marshall

This one doesn’t even deserve a discussion. Instead, let’s talk about something else.

Today, at work, I was listening to the radio and they announced that Billboard and Rolling Stone had released their versions of the “Top Ten Songs of the Decade”. They took in to account both critical reception (read: whether it was any good or not) and commercial success. Here’s what they were:

Rolling Stone
1.) Crazy- Gnarls Barkley
2.) 99 Problems- Jay- Z (great choice)
3.) Crazy in Love- Beyonce
4.) Hey Ya!- Outkast
5.) Paper Planes- M.I.A.
6.) 7 Nation Army- The White Stripes
7.) Maps- The Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Who the f#ck is that?)
8.) Rehab-Amy Whinehouse
9.) Beautiful Day- U2
10.) Stan- Eminem

Billboard
1.) We Belong Together- Mariah Carey
2.) Yeah!- Usher (Great when hammered…otherwise, c’mon man)
3.) Low- Flo-Rida
4.) How You Remind Me- Nickelback
5.) I Gotta Feelin’- Black Eyed Peas...

….annnnndddd let’s just stop there. Ok, the first one isn’t THAT bad. Some of those songs were legit, and that was obviously the more critically acclaimed of the lists. The second one…well, it loses any credibility when they include Nickelback and Black Eyed Peas in the top 5 of their list.

This really hammers home the point that good music has been forced in to the underground. Think “Crazy” is challenging “Stairway to Heaven” anytime soon? Probably not. Hell, it isn’t even challenging “Hungry Like the Wolf”. Sorry, Gnarls, but I knew Pink Floyd, and you, sirs, are no Pink Floyd.

Really, ever since the late 1990’s, good music has disappeared from the radio, with rare exception. Time was that the popular music WAS the good music. The Rolling Stones, The Who and Led Zeppelin were three revolutionary bands. In addition to making the best music, they were the most listened to. No more. Today, the best music never even sniffs the radio, as Clear Channel and the major record producers work together to get hacks like Pink and Nickelback as much airtime as possible.

To sum it up, it is a sad time. So, while I tried to occupy my time today at work, I came up with my own top ten, using the same criteria as those two. My list, needless to say, is way better, as any normal person would agree. And that is without bringing in to account great performers like Wilco, Dispatch, The Shins, Common, OAR and Guster. They never enjoyed the commercial success that would be commensurate with their talents.

My list also leaves out Dave Mathews. DMB is great in that “we play one sound, all our songs sound the same and we put on two- day long festivals that stoners love” kind of way. So, while he is talented and I have plenty Dave on my I-Pod, none of his songs will make the list…mostly because I can’t tell the difference.

Here we go:

10.) Day ‘N’ Night- Kid Cudi

Not the fast dance version, but the epic, slowed down one. Narrowly edges out “Piss on You” by Dave Chappelle. Kidding. But you wouldn’t have been surprised if I wasn’t, would you?

9.) Beverly Hills- Weezer

Big hit, great band. They deserved to make the list.

8.) Mr. Brightside- The Killers

Too bad they couldn’t even make a DECENT second album.

7.) Last Night- The Strokes

6.) What Goes Around- Justin Timberlake

Made one of the five best albums of the decade, and this was the best song on it. Had an epic video. Also, a sidenote: If you were Justin Timberlake, would you make the much clamored for second album or just continue to lounge around, play golf, host SNL once a season and bang hot chicks? You didn't even hesitate to go with the second choice, right?And THAT’S why we’re still waiting for a follow-up…

5.) Viva La Vida- Coldplay

Not the best song off the album, but the most successful.

4.) Jesus Walks- Kanye

Best song off of the second best rap album of the decade. Boom.

3.) Lose Yourself- Eminem

The best rap from maybe the most ground-breaking rapper of all-time.

2.) 99 Problems- Jay Z

The most widely-known, most- often- quoted- by- Frat-Guys song off of the best album of the decade. Listen to this CD straight through and it blows your mind. Every time. If only he would’ve stayed retired…this album would’ve been the rap equivalent of Michael Jordan over Bryon Russel to win the title.

1.) 7 Nation Army- The White Stripes

Boom.

Now was that so hard?

Meineke Car Care Bowl: UNC over Pitt

This defense with three weeks to prepare for Dion Lewis? ‘Nuff said.

Emerald Bowl: Boston College over USC

Think USC is pumped for this one? Think BC is going to come out flying? The answers are no and yes.

Music City Bowl: Clemson over Kentucky

Well, John Wall will give the Tigers trouble all night…wait…uhhh, Kentucky plays football too?

Independence Bowl: Georgia over Texas A&M

Just because Bill is picking A&M.

EagleBank Bowl: UCLA over Temple

Thrilling matchup…thrilling.

Humanitarian Bowl: Bowling Green over Idaho

The only way this could be worse is if they played it on a blue field. Oh wait, they are? Yikes.

Holiday Bowl: Nebraska over ‘Zona

This will be the best 13-9 football game you’ll ever watch, guaranteed. Surprisingly good matchup, to be honest.

Armed Forces Bowl: Houston over Air Force

I feel like they play twice a season.

Sun Bowl: Stanford over Oklahoma

No chance Gerhart can go nuts on this defense. Right? RIGHT? Actually, I just remembered how dirty Oklahoma is. I am done trying to talk myself in to Oklahoma and changing this pick to Stanford in the name of Karma.

Texas Bowl: Missouri over Navy

Part one of this season’s “give a good team extra days to prepare for the triple option and they’ll win the game” series.

Insight Bowl: Iowa State over Minnesota

This is just a Godawful matchup. Terrible. I literally flipped a coin. With the uniforms, who can tell the difference anyway? And I hate the Big Ten.

Chick Fil A Bowl- Tennessee over Virginia Tech

Just to make the ACC look even worse.

Outback: Auburn over Northwestern

Because I hate the Big Ten.

Capital One Bowl: Penn State over LSU

Because the Big Ten has to win one of these games, no?

Gator Bowl: West Virginia over Florida State

Again, Karma.

Rose Bowl: Oregon over Ohio State

Have I mentioned the Big Ten sucks?

Sugar Bowl: UF over Cincy

Although, the scenario from Varsity Blues, where the coach leaves the team at halftime and the West Canaan Coyotes rally to win the game as they unify in hatred, could definitely be in play here. And we definitely should heed the warning, because this is the second most underrated football movie ever made. And if you don't agree with that, you are beyond help.

International Bowl: Northern Illinois over USF

A game so bad they are playing it in America, Jr.

Papajohns.com Bowl: UConn over South Carolina

Remember when the only games played after the New Year were the important ones?

Cotton Bowl: Ole Miss over Oklahoma State

Jevan Snead loves anything involving the word “cotton”.

Liberty Bowl: Arkansas over East Carolina

I heard announcers talking about the “reputation of the tough Conference USA Eastern Division” one time this year. I literally laughed out loud.

Alamo Bowl: Texas Tech over Michigan State

The Big Ten still sucks.

Fiesta Bowl: TCU over Boise

TCU is the best team in the country. There, I said it.

Orange Bowl: Iowa over Georgia Tech

Part 2 of the annual “give a good team three weeks to prepare for the triple option and they’ll win the game” series. Also, just to make the ACC look even worse. And make me feel like a douche.

GMAC Bowl: Central Michigan over Troy

Good thing they are waiting until after New Year’s to play this one…

BCS Title Game: Texas over ‘Bama

I seem to remember a game in Pasadena a few years back when Texas was given no chance to win but rode a stud senior quarterback to a title…how'd that work out?


Always guard the inbound passer.

The U

Hello All,

Alright, finally have come down enough from that documentary last night to write something coherent.

Obviously, I give the film an A+. It seems as though fellow Com School Grad Billy Corben was looking to make a film that celebrated this period in the history of the sport that many people would rather you forget.

In that, he totally succeeded. It is important to note that this was not supposed to be an exhaustive history of the program, because that would have taken ten hours to do correctly.

There are things he could have done with the film which he chose to leave out, such as pointing out the fact that while those teams were "Bad Boys" on the field and had the occasional flare up off of it, they weren't the "Thugs" that they were labeled. Being from the 'hood and being a Thug are different entities, and guys like Brett Perriman and Tolbert Bain might have straddled the line, but they were at the end of the day good kids with a chip on their shoulders.

What I did not expect was that the "Fire Shannon" crowd would find a way to try and use this film for their "cause".

A buddy of mine, who I will not name because when he reads this he will know how embarassingly stupid his logic is and that is all that is important, texted me after the on-campus screening and said "Great film. We need to go back to playing like this. Shannon's teams are soft."

SIDENOTE: This is the same kid that within two sentences of each other once told me that he is "sick of having Academic All American goodie two-shoes" and that Shannon should be fired because he is "illiterate". This is the type of reasoning we are dealing with. My response to him was that he is no longer allowed to talk to me about college football, and that his only sports privileges were Hurricane Basketball, the NFL and MLB. Hurricane Baseball was taken away when he claimed that he would rather have Scott Lawson than Jemile Weeks. And yet I digress.

He failed to consider the segment of the film wherein they talked about the "Miami Rules". Essentailly, the type of behavior that we all loved (the dancing and taunting) was legislated out of the sport. If Miami was to pull that kind of stuff in the Champs Sports Bowl, they would end up with so much penalty yardage that it would probably cost them the game and would get the "Fire Shannon" brigade fired up that "this team has no discipline and needs a new coach." you can almost see the wheels turning in the heads of these fans. "Well...Miami didn't win the game...and Shannon is the coach...it must be his fault...and we didn't dance after we scored...and Shannon is the coach...so Shannon should be fired....because we didn't dance...yeah, that's it...so Shannon's team must be soft...yeah, that sounds good....yeah!....and then, if he's soft he can be fired... and we can hire someone else....yeah, this is starting to work...we'll be back to winning titles in no time!!!!"

And therein lies the central thrust of this post. After seeing the film, every 'Cane fan longs for the old days. That's just the way it is. We were winning big. Not only that, we were embarassing everyone else while we did it.

The problem is that those are the old days. Things have changed, whether we like it or not. My same friend said once that "Randy Shannon doesn't have a true 'Cane attitude." Aside from the fact that this is a ridiculous statement, especially after doing, oh, I don't know, two seconds of research on the man, it highlights the mentality of the reactionary 'Cane fan. They not only long for the past, but are stuck in it. They are willing to defy logic in order to will themselves to believe that we can get back to doing the running man after first downs and shooting imagnary six shooters in the tunnel. They believe that only then will we be able to win again.

(Another sidenote: this kid probably never even saw the 2001 team play a game but claims them as his favorite. He probably didn't know who Cortez Kennedy was until three years ago when he enrolled at UM but claims to have a man crush on him. Again, not the most logical kid)

The reality is that times have changed and therefore the program has changed out of necessity.

To be "back" doesn't mean we have to dance after we score touchdowns and convert first downs. I do not recall ever seeing Ed Reed or Sean Taylor or Andre Johnson doing much of that, and I watched nearly every game of their careers. To be "back" means playing with the same chip on their shoulders that the eighties teams had.

(Those teams in the eighties wouldn't have done the stuff they did if it meant losing games. And trust me, if we were taking 200 yards in penalties per game in the year 2009, we would lose every game.)

That is the takeaway from the film. Those guys played their asses off.

The dancing was all a sideshow to the main event.

The main event, rather, was a group of fast, hard working kids that came out to prove something. They were better than anyone the world had ever seen. The game had not yet caught up to them.

Now, the rest of the sport has caught up. Miami has to find a new way to break in to the winner's circle.

That is what Randy is trying to move his team back to, the type of attitude he is trying to instill. Howard Schnellenberger was famous for being a hard-nosed man. He didn't put up with bullshit (I write this as I watch a replay of the 1984 Orange Bowl). That is what Shannon has tried to impart. No bullshit accepted. Take care of business of the field and blast people once you're on it. Find a way to win.

Academic recognition does not mean that this football program is falling off. It is not an admittance that the 'Canes are getting away from their roots. If anything, it means to me that the 'Canes are staying true. They are working their asses off both on and off the field, as is now reflected in both and improving record on the field and naitonal recognition off of it.

The program is getting closer to being "back", although people who took the wrong message away from this movie may tend to differ.

OTHER THOUGHTS FROM THE WEEKEND

-App State vs. Montana was a hell of a game. Army-Navy wasn't but I loved it anyway. One good thing about off weekends like this one is getting to watch guys who are really playing for no reason but love of the game.

-Congrats to Mark Ingram on his trophy. He was classy in victory and gave the best acceptance speech I can remember. The voters got it as right as they could without giving the award to Spiller. Good stuff.

- After re-watching this 1984 Orange Bowl, Stein on the Sidelines has decided that Eddie Brown is perhaps the most underappreciated 'Cane of all time. And Jay Brophy looks like he should have starred in his own series of Spaghetti Westerns. And Stanley Shakespeare is the greatest name of any 'Cane ever.

Always guard the inbound passer.

Observations From the Best Seat in the House

Hello All,

After a pretty mundane college football season, I am pleased to say I had the best seat in the house for a thrilling set of games to close out the season. Here are my notes, taken from my permanent seat on the fifty yard line.

Oregon vs. Oregon State

Big time game which in the end was won by the team that played with more speed. I really had no vested interest either way, so it was fun to just root for a good game that was actually delivered. Oregon now gets to destroy Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, which will once again beg the question "Why do people care about the Big Ten?"

Cincinatti vs. Pitt

Wow...just, wow. Great game. I actually fell asleep in the second half and woke up just in time to see Dion Lewis score with 1:30 left. I thought the game was far from over, and then Pitt messed the bed on their extra point. It took Cincy 4 plays to score the game winner. And less time for Brian Kelly to spell out for America that he is absolutely going to Notre Dame.

Duke vs. St. John's

Ok, this is a basketball game, but sooner or later I had to mention Duke, right? anyway, early observations of the team include the following:
- Duke finally managed to find a couple of non-stiff tall white guys (the Plumlee brothers)...a year after Hansbrough graduates. Snarl.
- Duke will struggle all year against teams with quick, small guards and ultra-athletic big men. Hmmmm...Malcolm Grant...Durand Scott...Dwayne Collins...just sayin', you heard it here first: Miami in the upset!
- Kyle Singler is a great player, maybe the best in the ACC. But you know what would make him truly exceptional? A bad, whispy moustache.

Florida vs. Alabama

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...deep breath, deep breath...YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

Bill Simmons wrote a column a few weeks ago about "sports hate". For example, I "sports hate" Tim Tebow, and UF at large. Do I really hate them? No. But when they are on the field, they are a personal enemy. To say that I was happy when they lost would be an understatement.

First, on Tebow. He is a great football player. Maybe the best college football player of all time. He is not a good quarterback. He is just a football player. I would actually respect him, except for the incessant "God Bless" and eye black Bible verses. As my dad said: "I want to go in to his church on Sunday and hold up a sign that says 'Go Dolphins'". That sounds preposterous, right? Point, Dan. I wasn't elated, like some others, to see him cry afterward. However, that doesn't kill the fact that I hate his team and was almost as happy to watch them lose as I am to watch the 'Canes win. And to all you UF fans: we have 5, you have 3. Now sit down and shut up.

Second, there was not a better moment than my whole house erupting when the chick beat the dude in the halftime football toss contest. It was one of the single funniest moments of all time.

Third, consider me a fan of A.J. McCarron, Alabama's backup quarterback. Why? The hair. It's like Riley Skinner's but better. The man is like the Gordon Beckham of football. I mean, that thing's good.

Texas vs. Nebraska

Both offenses were called "inept". Is there a greater insult? I think not.

Texas looked bad, but I think they beat Alabama. More on that another time.

Georgia Tech vs. Clemson

As I have said for weeks, Spiller deserves the Heisman. Updated Heisman ballot (that I can't cast but will keep making as if I can because I want to damn it!):

1.) Spiller
2.) Gerhart
3.) Ingram
4.) McCoy
5.) Tebow

USF vs. UCONN

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Game of the Week: Cincy vs. Pitt

Gameball: Ingram/McCarron's Hair (tie)

Guard the inbound passer.

Random Thoughts for Championship Week

Hello All,

Alright, I know what you're thinking...actually I don't. But I know what I am thinking, and it lacks any real theme. Bear with me, because this is pretty much just a series of rants.

Pete Carroll

Ok, so everyone is talking about Pete Carroll being unsportsmanlike for his actions against UCLA. For those who are unfamiliar, Carroll and USC were up 14 points with 52 seconds left against their rival. Carroll had his team take a knee. UCLA responded by calling a timeout. As in, USC was trying to run the clock out and save UCLA some more embarassment in their rivalry game when UCLA suddenly and indescribably called timeout. To try and get the ball back. Obviously, Carroll was pissed off. His reaction? He called a deep route to his star receiver...and hit a 47 yard touchdown pass. This sparked a near brawl between the two squads and turned every sports writer in the country against Carroll. My question is why? Why be pissed at Carroll. First, he was labeled unsportsmanlike. My answer to this is "yeah right". All Petey did was oblige Neuheisel, who had decided he still wanted to play. "Oh yeah, you want to keep playin'? Well here it comes, see if you can stop it." Honestly, I wish Randy Shannon would do this every now and then to teams like Virginia. Actually, we should do it to everyone. After all, every team that plays Miami will run it up if they get the chance. Second of all, Carroll was labeled a hypocrite. He got pissed at Stanford for running the score up and going for two late. He may have had a point, although USC has run up the score on plenty of people. However, Carroll against UCLA is completely different from Harbaugh against USC. Carroll tried to kill the clock and UCLA stopped it. End of story.

The ACC

Honestly, I have always though the ACC was a joke and that Miami should have stayed independent instead of joinging the Big East in 1993 (private TV contract, awesome schedule, etc.). This week has just cemented it. First, Randy Shannon gets no votes for ACC Coach of the Year. Randy wasn't the coach of the year, but David Cutcliffe got votes and Randy didn't? Duke lost to William and Mary. MARY is in the school's name for God's sake! This is ridiculous. Then, the ACC begins to reward the mediocrity (the same conference that is trying to get rid of the "Mediocre" label) of a 6-6 team because their coach is retiring. Bobby Bowden is a great coach. He has done a lot for the sport and is a good person in general. However, I didn't get the memo that teams get to name their terms for bowl games all of a sudden. The best way to honor Bobby is to send his team to the bowl they have earned and treat him like a big boy. As a Miami fan, it pisses me off. But I don't see how anyone can see this in a good light. FSU passing up any 7, 8 or 9 win team for a bowl just because that's what Bobby wants is not how college football is supposed to work...and this is why bowl games are meaningless Scarpa.

Recruiting

Miami has received "decommitments" from Greg Dent and Louis Nix, highly regarded recruits, in the past week. This has resulted in me getting a series of panicked texts from my buddy J-Kill. My question, as usual, is "Why?". First of all, none of these kids has played a down yet, so who the hell knows what their loss means. It is a crapshoot. Secondly, the one thing Randy Shannon has proven without a doubt is that he can recruit. He probably knows better than us. And if he loses a guy he wants, he probably will find a replacement somewhere. It just isn't worth getting worked up about at this point. It is fun to follow, and I am just as addicted to following the saga that is recruiting as the next guy (just ask my dad...he finds it highly annoying). However, I feel like I end up writing the same thing every year. It is not how many stars the kid is rated coming in, it matters how he is thought of when he leaves The U behind. And that is the takeaway...don't get too worried about what some 17 or 18 year old kid is saying, becuase until he does it for US, then it doesn't matter. As we enter the space between the regular season and the bowl season, recruiting will move to the forefront. Please, no more panicky e-mails or text messages!

Weekly Picks

I went 7-6 last week...not great, but very workmanlike. Brings me to 54-43...Movin' up like the Goddam Jeffersons.

Oregon over Oregon State: "Civil War" is such a great nickname for a rivalry game, although I can't figure out how ALabama-Auburn or Virginia-Virginia Tech didn't procure the rights. Roses for the Ducks! Hopefully no one gets punched over this one.

Central Michigan over Ohio: No idea why...so why the hell not? Go Directional Michigan!

Cincinatti over Pitt: The Brian Kelly farewell tour begins.

Cal over Washington

West Virginia over Rutgers

UConn over USF

Houston over East Carolina

FAU over FIU: Schnells. 'Nuff said.

Georgia Tech over Clemson: Because Miami needs this to happen in order to possibly get the Champs Sports Bowl and allow Stein on the Sidelines to afford a trip to the game. Which means it won't happen. But I am trying to put good vibes out in to the universe.

Texas over Nebraska: Well, maybe Nebraska will keep it close for a half. Or a quarter. Like I said, just trying to put a good vibe out there.

UF over 'Bama: In the latest "Game of the Century", Florida will keep it close and let Tebow win it late (c'mon reverse jinx, c'mon baby!) and hopefully not get anyone arrested in between. Hey did I mention that Florida had another player arrested this week? That brings the total to something like 21 different Urban Meyer recruits to be arrested. He's great.

And that is it for my ranting and raving for the week. Good hunting, and Go Anyone but the Gators!

Guard the inbound passer.