Out Of Kilter

I have no idea how this’ll play out. The defense has to play better, as a whole. Maybe with the reduced workload last week, Calais, Teraz, and the rest of the d- line will be ready to take on a damned good offense. If not, or if people continue to go down with injuries, this might be a sequel to Oklahoma. Maybe the offense will show up. It’d be nice to see sustained fireworks against a decent team for the first time in three year. Otherwise, the last night game for Miami in the Orange Bowl will not be a pleasant one.

Hopefully no one gets injured and there’s no reason for ESPN to spend three months bemoaning an outlaw culture at the program. Both of those things would be awesome. I’d like for Kyle to get some confidence going into the game with Texas A & M. I’d also appreciate not running the spread when our running game, the strength of the team, is neutralized by lining up in the shotgun, and instead we play to our nonexistant passing game’s strengths. All of these would be positive.

I dunno. Maybe it’s the usual goofy endorphin rush one gets 90 minutes before kickoff, but I could see this happening. Undoubtedly, the Sooners are legitimately favored (by 11.5 though? if online gambling were still a tricky grey area and not flat illegal, I’d be happy to make my usual $5 show-support-for-the-team wager), but Oklahoma’s first year quarter back is facing down a defensive line that’s big, fast, and filthy. I don’t even care about the fact that Kirby’s last (and only) game versus a ranked team saw three interceptions to one touchdown. No, I’ve got visions of Graig Cooper rushing for hundreds of yards, if not thousands. I see Lance Leggett catching every single hitch pass thrown his way, and after ten receptions, averaging 97 yards after catch.

Maybe I’m a dreamer, but I think the dreams are where you see the most exciting football anyway.

But then again, if the Hurricanes keep this close, Kirby throws his head scratcher of a pass at a meaningless time, and Randy Phillips is protected by a safety at all times, I think the homer in me could see the upset.

I dunno, though. I think what I said before(Which I’m not editing as proof that I’m not changing the numbers therein) holds true in a micro sense: any success has to depend on Kirby not making the Kirby throw, and Javarris James showing me even more that he showed last year.  This defense certainly makes the upset possible, but I just can’t say that Marshall win was enough to sell me.

No picks. Every cell in my body wants a win, but no one would lay down my money for it.

As we quickly approach the National Championship this year, I don’t really have any favorite. If, somehow, both teams got “Marshalled” on their way to the game, that would suit me just fine.

Why? Because Ohio State suckered the mighty Hurricanes out of a title four years ago and I have a pathological hatred of the Florida Gators.

If I had to pick a winner, I’d go with the Buckeyes. Not because everyone and their mother says they’re going to win, and not because they have a magical record, going wire-to-wire at #1 like some sort of ‘roided out Hannah Montana in football pads. I’m going with OSU because of Tressel, Coach Jimmy Tressel.

And, like the good man says; Ohio State 87, Florida 0.

“See you fools at the party after our big win.”

Again, time is short. While I apparently didn’t have the juice last week for this to come true, I again hope no one else gets hurt in this execrable season. I also can’t say much about BC in any case- the only near-full game of theirs I’ve seen all year was against Western Michigan, where they didn’t look great. Except, here they stand, with a quality record against some decent teams, so I’ve obviously missed out.

What I’ve seen of Matt Ryan in the past, I’ve liked, and our corners can’t keep their legs underneath them, so… All we’re playing for is a modicum of pride and the defense. Calais Campbell needs two sacks to take second place in a single season, three to tie for first. The defense as a whole needs to hold BC under 61 yards to hold the record for fewest rushing yards per game in a season in Miami’s history. Obviously, it’d be great going forward if the offense showed a pulse, but BC under Tom O’Brien usually restrains them even when they’re decent, which they aren’t. I’d love for the seniors to go out on a win, but I really don’t think they will.

Edit as of leaving Thanksgiving lunch for the game: Oh, and the news that only Demitri Stewart and Darryl Sharpton are healthy? That gives me all kinds of confidence against a team that does a lot of power rushing.

Time has run out- and I can’t write anything too long, but I just fervently hope the team gets through Virginia healthy. Roughly a fourth of the roster has been hurt at times this year. Jameel Sewell might be able to do some impressive stuff against us, or the run defense Randy Shannon has been using at the start of most of the games this season might be able to corral him. I also hope Kirby can keep whatever positive momentum he might’ve had going forward from his surprising start against Maryland.

I just don’t know what to expect this afternoon. Last week had some positives to work on and work towards (the burst Ty moss showed on his long run and his actually capably running out of the shotgun), as well as some negatives (Kyle and Kirby turning the ball over too much, not running the ball once after Moss’ big gainer).

I still believe this team has guys that are quality players. The performance hasn’t been there, but I think that’s due to a combination of Coach Coker’s ineptitude and some of the worst goddamned luck possible. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t watched one full Maryland game all year, so all I can go on is the less than impressive reputation.

I also don’t know what effect Kirby Freeman will have on the offense. There’s no doubt he’s looked sloppy at times and his numbers as an aggregate are less than impressive. However, Kyle Wright has looked downright bad this season. His late game turnovers have outright lost us one game and prevented us from doing anything in two more. I don’t know the exact reasons, whether it’s pathological fear of mistakes that end up paralyzing him into it, or whether he forces throws because by the end of games the offensive line no longer has any facsimile of his trust. All I know is Kyle is not where he needs to be.

The Miami Hurricanes will hit the field this Saturday, after team members took a vote and overwhelmingly felt they should play. The team will have a moment of silence before they face Maryland.

Pata’s funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday (11/14/06) at the New Birth Baptist Church. UM will hold a memorial service for Pata at noon Wednesday at the campus’ Gusman Concert Hall. They also have a message board for your thoughts.

According to UM’s Athletic Department,

This decal will be affixed to the back of every helmet worn by the Miami Hurricanes football team for the remainder of this season. The decals were rushed through production and donated by Riddell.

For the latest news on the investigation, and an update on team reactions, follow the jump.
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