OFFENSE
Okay, even though D'Eriq King threw four TDs - which normally would be an amazing game - I was left pretty disappointed. Yes, Pitt is an excellent defensive front and an overall really good D. But the lack of Miami again connecting with wide receivers, the fact that UM is still relying on this horizontal passing game or deep lobbed throws with very little of those 10-20 yard intermediate passes ... that causes me some worry moving forward. This game really was won by the defense to me even with King's 4 TDs ... if not for four red zone stops this game would have come down the wire or even ended differently. And I did not think Pitt looked particularly good on offense.
Also something a lot of teams will notice is Pitt had success getting arms up in the passing lanes against the 5-9 1/2 King. OL need to engage these guys and force them to have their arms down. Also re the O line - overall it was not good but was covered quite a bit by King's scrambling and some max protect help ... this Pitt D front is really good though, so maybe not unexpected. The RBs had no room to work with, but again Pitt was really tough up front.
Would love to see more of Mike Redding and Keyshawn Smith in games. Smith looks like a tight end but runs like a wide receiver and has no fear catching balls down the middle. Not sure he can't turn into the best wideout right now based on the other guys being pretty bad to this point. Just has to make sure he's on point with the little details. And how many times have we said UM needs to have Will Mallory play starting reps even when Brevin Jordan is back. Get that done. Not enough playmakers in the passing game right now.
And major kudos to Rhett Lashlee - other that the Clemson game he's found defensive situations that gave Miami several explosive plays. He's got the best knack I've seen for that in a long time at Miami.
DEFENSE
Great job by the front four, the LBs were invisible to me for the most part, and on the back end there's a lot to be desired. The stats aren't terrible when it comes to Pitt passing, but remember this was a new QB and a lot of his throws were wobblers or off the mark. The Pitt run game was atrocious even coming into this one, but still a good job shutting that down.
On the passing game again - bothered me a bit that if you go back and watch the game you'll see numerous off the mark passes were to wide open guys ... and there were wide open guys that dropped, if I counted right, five passes. So I think when UM turns on the film they will be a bit horrified to see what could have been with a few better throws. There also was an easy screen pass that was misfired that easily would have gone for 30 yards plus. But again, can't say enough about the play of Jaelan, Quincy and the effort of Nesta ... and loved that Jared Harrison-Hunte is getting more and more reps. Jon Ford seems just not up to par. Also worth mentioning is I thought Te'Cory Couch was excellent. Put in man situations and held up really well.
Would like to see more of Corey Flagg at LB, by the way. Zach McCloud and Bradley Jennings just aren't cutting it for me and Sam Brooks has work to do.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This unit is soooo much better than anytime I can remember the last several years. Hedley's punting is NFL level, Borregales hasn't missed and his kickoffs are excellent, coverage teams are good.... Get some returns going and this is one of the best units in the nation.
ADDENDUM
Even with the warts on this team we've seen the last couple of games, other upcoming opponents have a lot more. Obviously UNC at the end of the year will probably be the new benchmark, although any of these ACC teams can upset you if you don't show up. But if Canes come to play I would think upcoming game vs. UVA shouldn't be too tough to win.
Oh, and I still don't love the fact that coaches are oh so positive after games about everything publicly ... I always think it lights a fire under guys when you call them out. But guess that's modern day football.
Okay, even though D'Eriq King threw four TDs - which normally would be an amazing game - I was left pretty disappointed. Yes, Pitt is an excellent defensive front and an overall really good D. But the lack of Miami again connecting with wide receivers, the fact that UM is still relying on this horizontal passing game or deep lobbed throws with very little of those 10-20 yard intermediate passes ... that causes me some worry moving forward. This game really was won by the defense to me even with King's 4 TDs ... if not for four red zone stops this game would have come down the wire or even ended differently. And I did not think Pitt looked particularly good on offense.
Also something a lot of teams will notice is Pitt had success getting arms up in the passing lanes against the 5-9 1/2 King. OL need to engage these guys and force them to have their arms down. Also re the O line - overall it was not good but was covered quite a bit by King's scrambling and some max protect help ... this Pitt D front is really good though, so maybe not unexpected. The RBs had no room to work with, but again Pitt was really tough up front.
Would love to see more of Mike Redding and Keyshawn Smith in games. Smith looks like a tight end but runs like a wide receiver and has no fear catching balls down the middle. Not sure he can't turn into the best wideout right now based on the other guys being pretty bad to this point. Just has to make sure he's on point with the little details. And how many times have we said UM needs to have Will Mallory play starting reps even when Brevin Jordan is back. Get that done. Not enough playmakers in the passing game right now.
And major kudos to Rhett Lashlee - other that the Clemson game he's found defensive situations that gave Miami several explosive plays. He's got the best knack I've seen for that in a long time at Miami.
DEFENSE
Great job by the front four, the LBs were invisible to me for the most part, and on the back end there's a lot to be desired. The stats aren't terrible when it comes to Pitt passing, but remember this was a new QB and a lot of his throws were wobblers or off the mark. The Pitt run game was atrocious even coming into this one, but still a good job shutting that down.
On the passing game again - bothered me a bit that if you go back and watch the game you'll see numerous off the mark passes were to wide open guys ... and there were wide open guys that dropped, if I counted right, five passes. So I think when UM turns on the film they will be a bit horrified to see what could have been with a few better throws. There also was an easy screen pass that was misfired that easily would have gone for 30 yards plus. But again, can't say enough about the play of Jaelan, Quincy and the effort of Nesta ... and loved that Jared Harrison-Hunte is getting more and more reps. Jon Ford seems just not up to par. Also worth mentioning is I thought Te'Cory Couch was excellent. Put in man situations and held up really well.
Would like to see more of Corey Flagg at LB, by the way. Zach McCloud and Bradley Jennings just aren't cutting it for me and Sam Brooks has work to do.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This unit is soooo much better than anytime I can remember the last several years. Hedley's punting is NFL level, Borregales hasn't missed and his kickoffs are excellent, coverage teams are good.... Get some returns going and this is one of the best units in the nation.
ADDENDUM
Even with the warts on this team we've seen the last couple of games, other upcoming opponents have a lot more. Obviously UNC at the end of the year will probably be the new benchmark, although any of these ACC teams can upset you if you don't show up. But if Canes come to play I would think upcoming game vs. UVA shouldn't be too tough to win.
Oh, and I still don't love the fact that coaches are oh so positive after games about everything publicly ... I always think it lights a fire under guys when you call them out. But guess that's modern day football.
