[Wade2Bease]

From Omar Kelly's Sun-Sentinel Blog

UM-FSU Keys
When kickers aren't involved this game is usually won by the team that makes the least amount of mistakes. I don't expect that trend to change considering the talent level on both squads are just about the same. So, it'll likely come down to which team is the most prepared for their opponent, and the moment.

For those unfamiliar with my blog here's a cliff-note. I usually put MY keys to the game up before kickoff, then revisit it after the game to assess what went right, and what went wrong.

This list is put together after listening to coaches and players from both teams for an entire week, and last year I was surprised how accurate I was (I don't have to remind U regulars about Georgia Tech do I).

So here are my 10 keys to this rivalry game. I'll be bold and predict if six of the 10 are achieved UM will leave the Orange Bowl victorious. I'll also boldly predict the more haters they hear from on Saturday while watching college football the better they'll perform.

1. Charlie Jones needs to move the chain.

Charlie Jones isn't sexy, but he knows how to move the chains by reading his blockers. To remain the starter he's going to need to average more than 4.1 yards per carry this season. A good start would be to avoid negative plays and turnovers.

2. Lance Leggett has to fight for the ball.

In the Peach Bowl it seemed as if Lance Leggett was scared of the ball. He's bigger and stronger this season, but does he have the heart to fight through traffic and put his body in harms way? Not every Kyle Wright pass is going to be perfect and Leggett must learn to do his best with what's thrown his direction.

3. Limit the Seminoles to no more than three sacks.

Three might seem like a lot but it's not, especially with three new starters - including true freshman Jason Fox - on the offensive line. More than any other unit on the field this group will need time to jell, and some help. The true test will be their stamina in the fourth quarter, so it might be a wise idea to rotate subs like Alex Pou, Tyrone Byrd and Chris Rutledge in early.

4. Force Drew Weatherford to have happy feet.

Last season Drew Weatherford completed 7-of-24 passes for 67 yards against UM, and that's with Miami managing only one sack. UM's defensive line did put him on the ground often, which eventually got into his head. Do the same this year and he'll start to question whether his offensive line has his back, and it might result in a few erratic passes and turnovers. I say look out for a breakout performance from Calais Campbell (READ A STORY ON HIM HERE) because FSU will be preoccupied with stopping Baraka Atkins and Kareem Brown.

5. Javarris James and Sam Shields must collectively contribute more than 60 yards.

Relying on true freshman is dangerous, but Javarris James will be Miami's second tailback, and Sam Shields is in the three deep set, so they'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays. They'll be successful if they can minimize their mistakes and take advantage of the few opportunities they'll receive. They also must protect the football because FSU will be looking for strips.

6. Make three big plays happen.

UM needs a cheap score. Whether it's forcing a turnover on FSU's side of the field, blocking a punt or field goal, or have a receiver get behind FSU's secondary for a big catch, the Hurricanes must find a way to make this defensive showdown easier.

7. Exploit FSU's inexperienced secondary.

The best FSU has to offer at cornerback is J.R. Bryant, who broke up all of three passes last season, an injured Tony Carter, true freshman Patrick Robinson and Michael Ray Garvin, a track standout. Even though UM's thin at receiver the Hurricanes have to like their odds against this group. Wright's accuracy will be key.

8. Make the Seminoles one dimensional.

If Lorenzo Booker's successful running between the tackles it's going to be a long night for the Hurricanes. Booker contributed 96 of Florida State's 170 yards last season, but 33 of those came off four screen passes. Last year Antone Smith averaged 5.2 yards per carry and if he's anywhere close to that average Monday Miami's going to be in trouble. Bryan Pata must live up to his run stuffing reputation to get this one done.

9. Put a body on Buster Davis.

Davis is only 5-foot-10, but don't let his limited size deceive you. He's strong and experienced (24 starts). If UM can get Andrew Bain, Anthony Wollschlager or Derrick Morse down-field on Davis plenty of running lanes will be opened up.

10. Spread the ball around.

If UM can keep Mickey Andrews guessing he'll be less aggressive. Andrews biggest fear is giving up the big play, so that means his cornerbacks won't press, which should leave the short yardage stuff open. That means Wright should look to get his backs and tight ends matched up one-on-one with FSU's linebackers.

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports...ge_hurricanes/

[IbizaXL]

i think UM will win. home court is key with this matchup and luckily theyre playing down here.

[Wade2Bease]

Yeah, hopefully this Canes team can restore the Mystique the Orange Bowl has had in the past. We have lost too many games in the O.B to inferior opponents over the past 3 years.

In this game, I can't wait to see if the hype surrounding Javarris James and Sam Shields are true.

Javarris James, Edgerrin's cousin, has been moved up to 2nd team RB. As a true freshman, "Baby J" needs to remember two very important things. One-PLEASE, NO FUMBLES! and Two- Pass Protect like your life depended on it.

Sam Shields has been lighting up our defense in practice. There is not one defensive player that hasnt praised him. I hope what he's done in practice, translates to the game on Monday.

The one spot i'm most worried about is the right tackle position. As of right now it looks like Jason Fox, a true freshman, will start on monday. I'm sure he'll get plenty of help from the T.E and R.B but there will be times when he'll be alone one on one with a d.e or l.b. Thankfully, he practices against a GREAT D. He should be ready for anything against FSU.

The three of them have never played in front of 80,000 people and have never played in front of millions of people watching on national television. Hopefully they get rid of those butterflies very early on in the game.

[IbizaXL]

well, so much for the 'canes...

[Wade2Bease]

Originally Posted by Gio305

well, so much for the 'canes...

Hahaha, giving up on this Canes team already?































Me, too

[Wade2Bease]

Seriously though, hopefully the silver lining is Coker getting fired. I'm ready to hop on the "Bring back Butch" bandwagon.

[IbizaXL]

Originally Posted by wade2shaq

Seriously though, hopefully the silver lining is Coker getting fired. I'm ready to hop on the "Bring back Butch" bandwagon.

Coker has been a great coach. he has like...what...54-10 record since becoming head coach? The team has a few flaws, especially on offense. a bunch of new coaches, new system, and new players makes it hard for a college team to win ball games. this is what sucks about college football. just by losing 1 game theres a good chance you wont be competing for the National Championship. Its so early in the season and we already know its gone down to ****! the canes could win the rest of their games but itll take a miracle to compete in the Rose Bowl.

[Wade2Bease]

54-11 is very misleading. We are 13-8 in our past 21 games and 4-6 in our last 10 games. Those numbers would get you fired from lesser college football programs. And it's not going to magically get better. I'm tired of the undiscliplined, uninspired and unprepared football that we have played throughout the last 3 years under Coker.

Here's parts of a great article by heat beat writer Israel Gutierrez writing about Larry Coker after today's game

Larry Coker is doing it. His story started with an enchanting ride to the national title in 2001. It ended Saturday with a gory train-wreck scene, the field covered with the blood red of Louisville as fans celebrated what was, or what seemed to be, a huge win for their program and putting the final credits on one of the most maddening and embarrassing losses in Miami's recent history.

Well, that wasn't quite the end of Coker's tale. The final scene, however, is painfully predictable: The riches-to-rags coach will be sent away, blamed for his team's shortcomings, fired for his inability to stay atop a slippery mountain for more than a few years.

It will happen, probably after this already frustrating season ends, because UM's athletic director Paul Dee is about as bitter a loser as there is in collegiate athletics.

It will happen because, for as long as it doesn't, there will be more incidents like the one that played out Saturday, when an enraged UM fan berated Dee as he walked off the field, demanding Coker be held accountable for UM's struggles.

Critics will only scream louder about Coker's inability to adjust at halftime after his team was outscored 21-0 in Saturday's second half, marking the fifth straight loss in which the Canes were shut out in the second half.

Coker's offensive line won't change. His receivers won't change. His running backs won't change. His assistant coaches won't change again. (Why were those moves made again?)

So his fate won't change.

There is no alternate ending.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald...s/15538050.htm

[IbizaXL]

you have a point there, now that i think about it, when we won the Rose Bowl in 2001, it was from the players Butch recruited. i think thats the key thing here. we had awesome players at so many positions, but since Coker took over, our talent has slowly diminished.