And the GamE ball goes too...

The entire coaching staff and the make shift O-Line.


Negative Cane fans and a few sports writers are quick to jump all over the HC, DC, crud even the Strength and Conditioning Coach Swasey has been criticized fans.. Through what I've read on Manny Navarro's blog and lesser Cane message boards there is a small but loud group of Cane Fans that have wanted Shannon to fail from the start. After the USF game, how can anyone (even the biased; didn't want to say racist cause it is 2010) deny that the right coaches are in place in Coral Gables? Is there room for improvement, of course. However, last Saturday was the closest the U has come to a perfect coaching job since Shannon has been the Head Man on the practice and game field.

Last week against Duke, Miami ran a play-action pass a whopping 57% of the time on first down. Against USF, Miami also ran play-action on first down 13% of the time; 4 times on first downs throughout game and two of those coming on a 12 play 81 yard 5 minute 40 second drive to start the game. You'd be a fool not to think that Jim Leavitt wasn't aware of Miami's PA tendencies on first down. The Miami O gameplan had USF confused and guessing all day. Salute to Whipple for his ever changing play calling. You might be asking yourself why the focus of MigH last 2 blogs is first down heavy; well its quite simple, first down is the most important down for any successful offense. Here's why...

These numbers might surprise you. Against USF, Miami averaged 10.17 yards/ pass on first down including 2 touchdowns. Miami also ran for an average 5.8 yards/ carry on first. Overall Miami averaged 6.8 yrds on first down. Its hard to lose against anyone if your getting just under 7 yards on first down throughout the game.

As an 80's baby I am used to Cane dominance at all three phases. If it was Steve Walsh's amazing accuracy to Thrill Hill's kick returning, Tremain Mack's blocked kicks or, Derrick Ham's 12 sacks in 1998. The U is about Domination; offensive domination will only come with at least an avg of 5 yards on first down.

The recipe to control a Defense is to put your O in 3rd and 5 or less situations. It opens the playbook up completely. To have a complete offense there are 4 main keys: 1st, as mentioned first down success;, 2nd a high third down conversion rate; 3rd no turnovers; and, 4th Time of Possession. Miami did beat out USF in all 4 of the before mentioned categories. That credit goes to the coaches gameplan and the players execution.

The What If Game

If only, Coop didn't overthrow the wide open Bryd on the double pass on the 3rd drive of the game.

If only, The Safety blitzes weren't telegraphed.

if only, we could stop the dropped catches and dropped picks..

Just a lil nit picking.. Remember we are about dominance. This was as close to perfect as the Canes have been since 2001..
We should all be proud of the season Coach Shannon has put together. We finished real strong this year unlike the past two years.

Coming next breaking down the 3rd down plays, formations, and the pre snap movement of the D.