Here's what Gary posted ... Here's my take after a few hours of sleep:
Really love what Rhett Lashlee did with the play calling. This will not be a run first offense, but that's what UAB's defense dictated so that's what Lashlee did. Even on third and goal from the four. His offense also does a nice job utilizing D'Eriq King's skills and hiding some warts (O line).
It worked out, but not a fan of the fourth and one going from it on your own 34 so early in the game. Seemed like a weird desperation thing against a team that was totally overmatched in general talent. Just not worth the risk for me. Punt, then get after it the next drive. I hope Manny doesn't get in that habit.
Punter / kicker combo might be best in the ACC. Not thrilled with Mark Pope seeming to always want to hit a home run on PR, though. Even after "learning" from the fumble after running backwards, on another return he ran backwards again and was dangerously close to the goal line before he was lucky to find a seam. He has to protect the ball better and rein it in, because he has all the speed/moves in the world. The best punt returners usually get the ball and are immediately trending straight sideways or upfield, not consistently running backwards and to the sidelines thinking they can outrun the defense/find a gap.
The running backs? Wow, just wow. Loved all three. They are special, no doubt.
The O line got so much praise after the game from Diaz, King and others it was kind of shocking to me. I did not think the line played well at all. UAB tackled poorly, helping RBs pile up yards (credit to the backs, by the way). And a less mobile QB would have been sacked five plus times ... and keep in mind the UAB defensive line is not even good by Conference USA standards. If you look at their first game vs. a no-name team they got no push/barely any pass pressure. Not a good sign. But the good news was Lashlee's scheme and King's mobility hide a lot of the issues up front. And DJ Scaife had some uncharacteristic busts which was weird. Not going to read into that I guess. He should be the team's best lineman. By the way, Hillery and Herbert opting out leaves the numbers pretty thin depth-wise with Zion Nelson being relied on to back up both tackle spots as well as guard if needed, and obviously Jakai Clark can back up at guard and center. But there are only seven linemen I am comfortable seeing in games, and playing at such a fast pace... we will see.
D line had only one sack but they were actually really good. A lot of disruption, run stopping against a very good running team and senior-laden OL (all returning starters). UAB had a quick passing attack to offset the speed up front. Jaelan Phillips will get his, Roche looked very good. And Nesta Silvera did a nice job sneaking through gaps and being disruptive.
LB spot did okay, wasn't ultra-impressed but did thing Bradley Jennings will be fine in the middle after watching him thump some guys.
Cornerback could have issues. There were guys running free the UAB QBs missed, and some dropped balls. Plus DJ Ivey obviously had a very tough night. That's concerning because we saw the same issues last year and it doesn't look like that's changed.
You guys know me, I'm always conservative in predicting things, but I was overall very encouraged especially by Lashlee and D'Eriq King.
Saving the best for last, King would have been the difference in probably winning three more games last season after watching what he did last night. Is he going to be a prolific passer? No. But his combination of good enough throwing ability combined with amazing instincts and leadership plus his flat out running back skills make him a guy that will cause every defense - including Clemson - problems. And the team will only be better with Game 1 in the books. My only caveat with King is some of his runs he has to be smarter to avoid taking big hits. You know future opponents are going to take every opportunity to nail him and he has the history of missing games due to injury every year he was slated to play a full season at Houston. Would love to see him slide once in a while, run out of bounds before contact, that sort of thing. Hopefully coaches address that with him because Miami cannot afford for him to go on the shelf. He is, to me from just this game, the most electric QB I've seen at Miami and can really make this a team that can win/be in pretty much every game on the schedule ... with Clemson obviously going to be the most interesting game to see what happens.
Oh, and get Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory the ball early and often. Those guys are mismatches against everyone and the wideouts looked ho-hum to me, not a lot of separation there.
My strange prediction off this game: I think the offense will be better than the defense this year, reversing a trend of the past several seasons.
Really love what Rhett Lashlee did with the play calling. This will not be a run first offense, but that's what UAB's defense dictated so that's what Lashlee did. Even on third and goal from the four. His offense also does a nice job utilizing D'Eriq King's skills and hiding some warts (O line).
It worked out, but not a fan of the fourth and one going from it on your own 34 so early in the game. Seemed like a weird desperation thing against a team that was totally overmatched in general talent. Just not worth the risk for me. Punt, then get after it the next drive. I hope Manny doesn't get in that habit.
Punter / kicker combo might be best in the ACC. Not thrilled with Mark Pope seeming to always want to hit a home run on PR, though. Even after "learning" from the fumble after running backwards, on another return he ran backwards again and was dangerously close to the goal line before he was lucky to find a seam. He has to protect the ball better and rein it in, because he has all the speed/moves in the world. The best punt returners usually get the ball and are immediately trending straight sideways or upfield, not consistently running backwards and to the sidelines thinking they can outrun the defense/find a gap.
The running backs? Wow, just wow. Loved all three. They are special, no doubt.
The O line got so much praise after the game from Diaz, King and others it was kind of shocking to me. I did not think the line played well at all. UAB tackled poorly, helping RBs pile up yards (credit to the backs, by the way). And a less mobile QB would have been sacked five plus times ... and keep in mind the UAB defensive line is not even good by Conference USA standards. If you look at their first game vs. a no-name team they got no push/barely any pass pressure. Not a good sign. But the good news was Lashlee's scheme and King's mobility hide a lot of the issues up front. And DJ Scaife had some uncharacteristic busts which was weird. Not going to read into that I guess. He should be the team's best lineman. By the way, Hillery and Herbert opting out leaves the numbers pretty thin depth-wise with Zion Nelson being relied on to back up both tackle spots as well as guard if needed, and obviously Jakai Clark can back up at guard and center. But there are only seven linemen I am comfortable seeing in games, and playing at such a fast pace... we will see.
D line had only one sack but they were actually really good. A lot of disruption, run stopping against a very good running team and senior-laden OL (all returning starters). UAB had a quick passing attack to offset the speed up front. Jaelan Phillips will get his, Roche looked very good. And Nesta Silvera did a nice job sneaking through gaps and being disruptive.
LB spot did okay, wasn't ultra-impressed but did thing Bradley Jennings will be fine in the middle after watching him thump some guys.
Cornerback could have issues. There were guys running free the UAB QBs missed, and some dropped balls. Plus DJ Ivey obviously had a very tough night. That's concerning because we saw the same issues last year and it doesn't look like that's changed.
You guys know me, I'm always conservative in predicting things, but I was overall very encouraged especially by Lashlee and D'Eriq King.
Saving the best for last, King would have been the difference in probably winning three more games last season after watching what he did last night. Is he going to be a prolific passer? No. But his combination of good enough throwing ability combined with amazing instincts and leadership plus his flat out running back skills make him a guy that will cause every defense - including Clemson - problems. And the team will only be better with Game 1 in the books. My only caveat with King is some of his runs he has to be smarter to avoid taking big hits. You know future opponents are going to take every opportunity to nail him and he has the history of missing games due to injury every year he was slated to play a full season at Houston. Would love to see him slide once in a while, run out of bounds before contact, that sort of thing. Hopefully coaches address that with him because Miami cannot afford for him to go on the shelf. He is, to me from just this game, the most electric QB I've seen at Miami and can really make this a team that can win/be in pretty much every game on the schedule ... with Clemson obviously going to be the most interesting game to see what happens.
Oh, and get Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory the ball early and often. Those guys are mismatches against everyone and the wideouts looked ho-hum to me, not a lot of separation there.
My strange prediction off this game: I think the offense will be better than the defense this year, reversing a trend of the past several seasons.
