As a lifelong Hurricanes fan and supporter it still baffles me at the condition of the football program. I know most of us continue our loyalty and express our frustration but what is the rest of the country saying about the current edition of our Canes? Just this morning as I read through my news feed these 2 simple articles came up........
Sporting News:
The book on the Canes
Let me say this, and let it soak in all its glory: Miami played a Friday night game last week. Against FAU. On the road.
If ever there were a better indication of how far the once great program has fallen, this is it. Think Ohio State would play on Friday? Or Oklahoma, or Florida or Georgia?
Think they’d play on the road against a Group of 5 team in their own backyard? Think they’d be tied at 20 late in the third quarter?
Frankly, it’s embarrassing. And there’s no one to blame but Al Golden.
Make no mistake, Golden walked into a mess at Miami, and it got worse when it was revealed that there was much more to the Hurricanes’ potential NCAA problems than he was led to believe by those who hired him. Then it got worse when the NCAA badly botched the Nevin Shapiro investigation — all while leaving Golden and his program in limbo.
But this team has two significant problems that not only are in direct contrast to the history of the program, but are stealing the very life from it: inconsistent recruiting and a lack of identity.
The most damning statement of all: the Canes haven’t won a conference championship since the ACC voted to add Miami in 2004.
“The difference in talent between the last time they played in the (BCS) championship game (in 2002) and now is remarkable,” said one AFC scout. “If you’re going to recruit in one area in the country, it would be Dade and Broward (counties). I don’t know how they’re not winning big.”
They’re not the bad boys of college football like they were in the 80s and 90s. They’re not even the 21st Century Canes of the early 2000s, who ignored bravado and simply pounded you into submission with sheer talent.
They’re just there. They’re a program that shows up to play, and if everything goes right, they have a chance to win in the fourth quarter. Sort of like what happened last weekend against FAU.
This week begins a brutal stretch of five games that not only will dictate the season, but likely decide if Golden is still around in 2016. It starts with a home game against Nebraska, and then games at Cincinnati, at Florida State, home games against Virginia Tech and Clemson, and at Duke.
Nowhere on that list of six games can you check automatic win.
Bleacher Report
The Game Your Dad Would Love: Nebraska at Miami, Florida (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2)
At one point not long ago, these were the two biggest brands in college football. Times, of course, have changed, but that shouldn’t take away from A) the history in play with a rather unique matchup, and B) the urgency both teams have to win this game.
Miami did not look fully functional against FAU for much of its game in Week 2. Nebraska, having just beaten South Alabama following its crushing loss to BYU in Week 1, is still very much a work in progress with new head coach Mike Riley.
The winner will not vault to the top of the AP poll like old times, but don’t let that mute your father's enjoyment. (Be a good child and just tell him the last decade has gone as planned.)
Sporting News:
The book on the Canes
Let me say this, and let it soak in all its glory: Miami played a Friday night game last week. Against FAU. On the road.
If ever there were a better indication of how far the once great program has fallen, this is it. Think Ohio State would play on Friday? Or Oklahoma, or Florida or Georgia?
Think they’d play on the road against a Group of 5 team in their own backyard? Think they’d be tied at 20 late in the third quarter?
Frankly, it’s embarrassing. And there’s no one to blame but Al Golden.
Make no mistake, Golden walked into a mess at Miami, and it got worse when it was revealed that there was much more to the Hurricanes’ potential NCAA problems than he was led to believe by those who hired him. Then it got worse when the NCAA badly botched the Nevin Shapiro investigation — all while leaving Golden and his program in limbo.
But this team has two significant problems that not only are in direct contrast to the history of the program, but are stealing the very life from it: inconsistent recruiting and a lack of identity.
The most damning statement of all: the Canes haven’t won a conference championship since the ACC voted to add Miami in 2004.
“The difference in talent between the last time they played in the (BCS) championship game (in 2002) and now is remarkable,” said one AFC scout. “If you’re going to recruit in one area in the country, it would be Dade and Broward (counties). I don’t know how they’re not winning big.”
They’re not the bad boys of college football like they were in the 80s and 90s. They’re not even the 21st Century Canes of the early 2000s, who ignored bravado and simply pounded you into submission with sheer talent.
They’re just there. They’re a program that shows up to play, and if everything goes right, they have a chance to win in the fourth quarter. Sort of like what happened last weekend against FAU.
This week begins a brutal stretch of five games that not only will dictate the season, but likely decide if Golden is still around in 2016. It starts with a home game against Nebraska, and then games at Cincinnati, at Florida State, home games against Virginia Tech and Clemson, and at Duke.
Nowhere on that list of six games can you check automatic win.
Bleacher Report
The Game Your Dad Would Love: Nebraska at Miami, Florida (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2)
At one point not long ago, these were the two biggest brands in college football. Times, of course, have changed, but that shouldn’t take away from A) the history in play with a rather unique matchup, and B) the urgency both teams have to win this game.
Miami did not look fully functional against FAU for much of its game in Week 2. Nebraska, having just beaten South Alabama following its crushing loss to BYU in Week 1, is still very much a work in progress with new head coach Mike Riley.
The winner will not vault to the top of the AP poll like old times, but don’t let that mute your father's enjoyment. (Be a good child and just tell him the last decade has gone as planned.)
