2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview - Week 10 (UVa - 11/7)

Miami Hurricanes 2015 Opponent Preview

Week 10

Virginia (November 7^th at Sun Life Stadium)

The 2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview continues with the preview of the Virginia Cavaliers, who come to Sun Life Stadium on November 7^th.  

In Charlottesville, the talk each year is about Mike London’s job status. He did enough to keep his job, but not enough to quiet the critics (see Al with CANES fans).  This year, London needs to have his team go bowling or likely be out. With a trip to Pasadena in the season opener, and Notre Dame the following week, and Boise coming in two weeks later on a Friday night, it could get very ugly in Charlottesville very quickly.

Let’s talk about Virginia’s Offense.

Now that Greyson Lambert is now in Athens, GA, this is now Matt Johns’ job as the Quarterback. A big reason for that was because Johns had a huge Spring. While Johns was ok in relief of Lambert in 2014, because Lambert was hurt, in 2015, this is his job from Game 1. He’s going to have to be the one to step up and be the leader of that offense.  
They will have experience back in the receiving corps. Canaan Severin and Andre Levrone both return at the WR positions. The former was their top receiver stat wise last year with 578 yards receiving, and the latter was their big play threat catching 15 passes for 248 yards.  There is an area were Levrone needs to hone in on. He caught just 35% of his targets in 2014.  To be fair, its not completely his fault here, but still that number needs to get better in 2015.  They will get a lift from UNC graduate transfer T.J. Thorpe. While Thorpe was a top notch played in high school, the same could not be said about his college career, which has been very much injury prone.  
As for the Running backs, they have a legit threat there in Taquan “Smoke” Mizzell, who can be a play maker as a receiver. In 2014, he had 39 passes caught for 271 yards, and in addition, he had 280 yards rushing as their 3^rd back in their rotation. His career has been sub-par in college so far. However, now as the go to guy in the backfield, maybe we’ll see the talent that fans up there haven’t seen yet.
Their O-Line is ok in protecting the passer, but terrible vs the run. They do have three starters and four other players with starting experience back for them in 2015. Eric Smith is going to have to step up and be their leader here on this unit, even though he was listed 2^nd on their depth chart behind RS freshman Jake Fieler, Smith is going to be starting on their line, especially when you consider he’s had twenty career starts, Also back for them at RG is RS Senior Ross Burbank, who has fifteen career starts.

Let’s talk about Virginia’s Defense

Their secondary has some promise here with Quin Blanding back. As a freshman last year, he had 91.5 tackles and three interceptions. He’s one that they hope will be a very good one, if not a great one back there. To help Blanding back here, Cornerbacks Maurice Canady and Tim Harris return. Harris, who played in ten games, had a pick, and broke-up four passes.  As for Canady, he had three picks and twelve pass break ups. The secondary is going to be very good again in 2015.
The same cannot be said for the Linebackers. They will have to fill three spots there. Their three backups from last season return and they added a LB in their 2015 class that they hope will make an immediate impact there. The freshman they’re referring to is C.J. Stalker, who’s a true freshman, and expected to be the man right away.  The other three, that were backups last year, returning are Micah Kiser, Mark Hall and Zach Bradshaw. Each of these players saw action in ten or more games last year.  Kiser, as a true freshman in 2014 had 12 tackles in 12 games.
While Eli Harold, (drafted in the 3^rd round by San Francisco), is the only major loss on their D-Line, it’s a big one though. Consider that Harold had 14.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2014. That’s going to be tough to replace. It’s going to be up to David Dean and Mike Moore, to each step up and have the production that Harold leaves behind.  While they each had eight tackles for loss last season, they only have four combined sacks in their careers. The one that has to fill Harold’s big shoes is Kwontie Moore. He only had  two sacks, in spot duty last season.

What to expect from Virginia

This is a team that has beaten The U on Al Golden’s watch 3 of the 4 times they’ve played. This team doesn’t blow you away. This is a young team, and with a tough early schedule and add to the fact Mike London is on the hot seat this year, there should be no reason at all why The U doesn’t beat them this year. 

Their 2015 Pump-Up Video

Their 2015 Spring Game (after this game, Lambert would announce he's leaving for Athens)

This is the game from last year up there in Charlottesville

In this game, it’ll be at home at Sun Life. After last year vs UVa after the heartbreaking loss to FSU the week before, the U quit and tanked up in Charlottesville. You know there’s payback on the CANES minds here.  This needs to be a statement game for the U and a CANES comfortable victory over UVa. 

2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview - Week 12 (GT 11/21 Home Finale)

Miami Hurricanes 2015 Opponent Preview 

Week 12 

Georgia Tech (November 21th at Sun Life Stadium) 

The 2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview continues with the preview of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, who come to Sun Life Stadium on November 21st, in the Regular season home finale. 

With Georgia Tech, they lost some key players in the backfield and at receiver, however, given that Paul Johnson’s team, is still very good and can make another run at a Coastal Division title. The reason for the optimism in Atlanta is due to the fact that they return 13 starters, with the biggest returnee being their quarterback Justin Thomas. It’s a good thing because their defense in 2014 was just terrible, ranking near the bottom of the ACC in the four main statistical categories, but should be much better this season. 

Let’s talk about Georgia Tech’s Offense

Rumors of Tech’s demise were greatly exaggerated. There was talk that Paul Johnson would be out. However, in 2014, that talk ceased when Thomas took over at QB and with that, they returned to the offense that Johnson stands for as a Head Coach. Their offense was better with Thomas running that Triple Option. With him back showing his speed, elusiveness and intelligence, this is a team that nobody wants to face later in the season, with that grinding and punishing running game. He has an opportunity this year to break his own single-season school record (for quarterbacks) of 1,086 rushing yards, and cement his place as a player to be reckoned with. 

There are some questions on who will fill the voids in the backfield. They lose Synjyn Days, Zach Laskey (signed as an UFA by St. Louis) and Charles Perkins, who accounted for 377 carries and 2,218 yards last year. However, with the depth of the O-Line having four starters and a few others with starting experience back, and developing the pieces they have, they should be ok there. One of those pieces returning is A-back Broderick Snoddy, who showed flashes that he can break some big-plays, albeit in limited duty before breaking his leg last season.. The bigger concern for GT is at the B-back position. Here, C.J. Leggett was supposed to be the man there, but was sidelined with a torn ACL in the spring. Patrick Skov, who’s a graduate transfer from Stanford, is going to be asked to carry most of the load at the B-Back spot. 

For years, Georgia Tech, did not have a passing game that scared people. That changed last year. However, they will have to find a way to replace DeAndre Smelter (drafted in the 4th round by San Francisco) and Darren Waller (drafted in the 6th round by Baltimore), who made big plays and clutch catches for them. 

Let’s talk about Georgia Tech’s Defense 

It’s better that Paul Johnson say it about the Defense here, especially vs. the run: “We weren’t very good,” especially when his defense gave up 25.7 points and 411.3 yards per game in 2014. The big issue here is the lack of depth, especially on the D-Line, and it’ll be that way going forward. They do have some talent here on the Line. Returning for them is senior All-ACC performer Adam Gotsis anchoring the interior and KeShun Freeman coming off a season in which he earned various Freshman All-America honors at end. Those two will be fine there. What Johnson is hoping for here is a big time season from Jabari Hunt-Days, who was academically ineligible in 2014 and is up to 295 lbs. 

With the Linebackers, its not going to be an easy task to replace All-ACC linebacker Quayshawn Nealy (signed as UFA by Seattle), when you consider the fact that he leaves behind 92 tackles, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries last season. They really hope that Senior Tyler Marcordes, is able to fill that void. He did have 5.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks; however, losing Nealy is going to hurt the LB core here. 

As for the secondary, they’re going to be pretty good again this year, especially with Senior safety Jamal Golden returning. In 2014, he had 61 tackles and four picks. This is the one area of their defense that is solid. They also have back at the corners, seniors Chris Milton and D.J. White, who came up big in games vs. VT and UGa with game-saving takeaways.

Let’s talk about Georgia Tech’s Special Teams 

Their kicking game needs to show it could be consistent. It’s going to be up to junior kicker Harrison Butker to come up big. Yes, he made some big kicks, like the one vs Uga from 53 yards out to send it to OT. On the other hand, he has missed some kicks, specifically inside 40 yards, where he missed 5 of them. GT doesn’t punt too often, in fact, Junior punter Ryan Rodwell, who’s back in 2015, had an ACC-low 32 attempts in 2014. 

What to expect from Georgia Tech 

Looking at them on tape, yes, they lost a lot, but don’t be fooled, with Thomas back running Paul Johnson’s offense, this is still a force to be reckoned with in Atlanta, that even with the losses in their personnel, is a still a threat to win the Coastal. But don’t expect another 11 win season from them here. 

The video below is from their 2015 Spring Game

This is their hype video for 2015

This is from our game last year where they just gashed us

In this game, it’ll be at home at Sun Life. After last year vs Tech where they gashed our defense, you know there’s payback on the CANES minds here, and its Senior Day to boot. Yes, GT will be a test to be sure, the U will be ready to play in this game and a game in the end CANES win comfortably and the Seniors out a winner at home.

2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview - Week 9 (at Duke 10/31)

Miami Hurricanes 2015 Opponent Preview

Week 9

At Duke (October 31^st)

The 2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview continues with the preview of the Duke Blue Devils, who The U pays a visit to on Halloween.

When you look at the job David Cutcliffe has done there. He changed everything about that program, turning a perennial loser into a consistent winner. Before he got there, they had never won 10 games in a season. They won 10 in 2013, and 9 last year. What that man has done in Durham can be nothing short of remarkable.  If Cut is to get his team back to a bowl game in 2015, he will have to do with a younger cast and some inexperienced players.

Let’s talk about Duke’s Offense.

Yes, some key players are gone, like QB Anthony Boone (signed as an UFA by the Detroit Lions), WRs Jamison Crowder (Drafted in the 4^th Round by Washington) and Isaac Blakeney. Still though, they are not without weapons here and they might be even better than they were in 2014.

It will all hinge on how well and how quick Thomas Sirk is able to carry the load at QB. Duke will be more of a running team this year than they have in Cut’s tenure, while trying to find a go-to WR to fill the void left by Crowder’s departure.  They have some talent here, but young, outside of Senior Max McCaffery.  The one WR that the coaches are very high on is redshirt freshman Chris Taylor , who showed much potential this spring.  Sirk’s other target that will be counted on to step up is Johnell Barnes, who like Taylor, showed a lot of potential over the spring.  Back at TE is Braxton Deaver, who was one of the ACC’s best Tight Ends, but was out all of 2014 with a torn ACL, and he’ll be back for a sixth year. He’s expected to be Sirk’s to-go guy over the middle and in short yardage/goal line situations.

The OL did take a hit with the loss of All-American Laken Tomlinson, who’s now in Detroit as the 28^th overall pick in the NFL Draft. However, when you listen to Cut, he believes that they will only get better there and with good reason. It’s going to be up to C Matt Skura to step into a leadership role there. With 27 career starts under his belt, and being a 1^st team pre-season all-ACC Center, Cut is counting on him to lead the OL. He’ll also have back on the Line, senior LG Lucas Patrick.

There will be many questions in Durham this year. They did lose 3 of their last 4, including a loss to Arizona State in El Paso at the Sun Bowl. They have to fill many voids on Offense this year and when you look at Sirk, he wasn’t the long ball threat that Boone was. He’s more of a safe, short passer. He’s going to need to expand his game in 2015.

RB Shaquille Powell is the top option in the backfield, and since Duke is going to be more of a run heavy team this year, he’s going to carry a lot of the load for them this year. Also back for them is Jela Duncan, who returns after missing last year due to academic matters. He was their top rusher in 2012 and 2013, so the Blue Devils are loaded with talent and depth at RB.

To put it simply, it’s not totally empty in Durham. Think about this: Of the 22 positions on offense and defense, 15 will have starters who have been on campus and part of the program for four years.

Let’s talk about Duke’s Defense

Look, they have the athletes to make plays out there. They have five DBs back and all have starting experience. They run a 4-2-5 scheme. Their best player on D is Senior S Jeremy Cash. Cash made the All-ACC team, and on top of that, this guy had 232 tackles in the past two seasons combined. That’s amazing.

Its not just Cash on the back end here, They also have back DeVon Edwards as the other safety. He’s had four INTs in the past two years. When you add to the mix junior CBs Breon Borders and Byron Fields, you have some experience on the table. Borders has had in his Duke careey 7 picks and when you add that Fields is a good coverer of both the pass and rush, you have two very capable CBs here.

At LB, they were supposed to have back Kelby Brown who was an All-ACC pick in 2013 with 114 tackles that season (11 for loss), after missing 2014 with an ACL injury, but after tearing his ACL again in July, ending his career, it’s going to hurt them here, as they only have three experienced LBs on their depth chart returning. It’s going to be up to Chris Holmes, Dwayne Norman, and Zavier Carmichael, who all played in all their games in 2014, to step op. In their careers, they’ve combined for just 52.5 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks, and all of those were by Norman.

As for the D-Line, it doesn’t look too good here either. Yes, they have Carlos Wray back on the interior, but after that, there isn’t much there of note, although their other DT A.J. Wolf was 3^rd among D-linemen in tackles last season.  The biggest issue here for this Defense is having an effective pass rush. Wray and their DE Kyler Brown are their only returning players on the line that can say they’ve had a sack, and combined in their careers, only have 2.5.  As good as their secondary is, if there’s no solid pass rush, it won’t matter. A good passing game with a good OL, goes to town on that secondary.  

Let’s talk about Duke’s Special Teams

Their kicking game is outstanding. Some believe they have the best kicker and punter in the ACC and one of the better ones in the country. They have back Senior Ross Martin, who has only missed four kicks from 39 yards or longer and he’s hit 4 of 6 from 50-plus yards in his Duke career. When you had the return of Senior P Will Monday, who only averaged 43.5 yards per attempt and put 57 punts inside the 20 yard line in his past three seasons, you have a combo that get the job done from a field position perspective. Their return game is pretty good. They have DeVon Edwards back handling those duties. Over the last two years, he has had three TDs returning Kicks/Punts.

What to expect from Duke

Looking at them on tape, yes, they lost a lot, but don’t be fooled, this is still a force to be reckoned with in Durham.

The video you see above is from their Spring Game

In this game, it’ll be up there at Wallace-Wade Stadium. Our last visit up there wasn’t pretty at all. In fact, it was the low point of U football. This is the first of a stretch where the U will end the regular season with 5 straight vs the Coastal. If the CANES are to get to Charlotte as Coastal champs, they need to win this game. In the end, I believe the U steps up and makes some plays and leaves Durham with a victory, albeit, a hard fought one. 

2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview - Week 8 (Clemson 10/24 Sun Life Stadium)

Miami Hurricanes 2015 Opponent Preview

Week 8

Clemson (October 24^th)

The 2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview continues with the preview of the Clemson Tigers, who come into Sun Life on October 24^th. For Clemson, they are a legit National power. In the last four years, they’ve won 10+ games, but only 1 ACC title to show for it (2009). As good as the Tigers are, in big games, they’ve come up small. Dabo Sweeney is back for year 7 in the South Carolina upstate. The expectations are very high, but if they are going to take that next step to elite, they will have to do so with a younger group. 

Let’s talk about Clemson’s defense.

Under Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables, who came over from Oklahoma in 2012, he has turned the Tigers defense into one of the best in the nation. To emphasize that point, in 2014, you could make a strong case that they were the best D in the country, holding opposing offenses to a measly 260.8 yards per game, tops nationally.

In 2015 though, Venables will face one of his biggest trials yet, and that’s trying to duplicate last year’s success without two 1^st round NFL Draft picks in 2014 ACC Defensive Player of the Year Vic Beasley (drafted 8^th overall by the Atlanta Falcons) and Butkus Award semifinalist linebacker Stephone Anthony (drafted 31^st overall by the New Orleans Saints).

The biggest hit the defense took was on the D-Line. In addition to Beasley’s loss, they also lost All-ACC First Team selection Grady Jarrett (drafted as the top pick of the 5^th round by the Atlanta Falcons). Those three guys were the heart and soul of that defense, combining for half of the team’s sacks in 2014. A bigger hit to the line was that sophomore DE Ebenezer Ogundeko, being kicked off the team in May after getting arrested for credit card fraud.

So now, it’s going to be up to Junior DE Shaq Lawson to step up and be the leader of that line that’s going to have a lot of youth on it. In 2014, he was second on their team in tackles for a loss last year with 11.5.

The down side there is that he doesn’t have much experience himself; He has a grand total of one career start. The good part is that a strong recruiting class gave them 7 skilled linemen to replace all the outgoing seniors, which are headlined by DT Albert Huggins (South Carolina) and Christian Wilkins (Connecticut), as well as weak-side DE’s Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant.

These four are ranked within the top 15 in their positions nationwide, and two of those players (Huggins and Wilkins) are the highest ranked recruits in their states.

As for the linebackers, while they didn’t lose as many players as the D-Line did, it will have to find players to make up for the production of Anthony, who was the most athletic player on the defense and was their team leader in tackles (75), and Tony Steward. It’ll be up to Junior Ben Boulware, who had 40 tackles as a backup, and others will have to take responsibility of the linebackers and fill the void left behind by the losses there. With Chad Smith coming in, it will definitely help pull the load here.

The heart and soul of the 2015 defense will be in the secondary. However, it will be without All-ACC first team selection Garry Peters (signed as UFA by Carolina Panthers) and Robert Smith (signed as UFA by Indianapolis Colts). The up side here is that this is still a very deep bunch back there, which have back studs like CB Mackensie Alexander and S Jayron Kearse.

Let’s talk about Clemson’s Offense

Yes, some key players are gone, they will have back a lot of great players. While Chad Morris is now in Dallas as the Head Coach at SMU, and Jeff Scott being promoted to Offensive Coordinator, the Tigers will still have to work to get all this youth in shape, but they will have a large amount of talent to work with.

Back as the signal caller is Sophomore Deshaun Watson after fighting through injuries in his freshman season that offered so much promise. He started the season as Cole Stoudt’s backup before Dabo decided to give him game action, and he produced for Swinney. In 2014, he completed 67.9 percent of his passes for 1,466 yards, 14 touchdowns to only two interceptions and his 188.57 rating would have led the nation if he had enough attempts to qualify. If this kid stays healthy, this is a Heisman candidate for sure, if not the leader to win it.

He’ll have a receiving core that’s one of the better one in the country. Their top three receivers from 2014 return. That includes WRs Mike Williams and Artavis Scott, who were 4^th and 5^th in the ACC in receiving yards.

To compliment them, they added in their recruiting class two top level talents in  in Deon Cain, ranked 2^nd in the nation among WRs, and TE Garrett Williams, ranked 4^th in the nation among TE, according to 247 Sports Composite Rankings.

The backfield has back RS Sophomore Wayne Gallman, following a decent 2014 season that saw him be their top rusher in the season’s 2^nd half. He ended his Freshman campaign with 769 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 161 carries. While there isn’t much talent here at this position, it will suffice here for them.

As for the O-Line, they do lose two starters from last year. The upside is that there is some good experience returning with six players back and all as Seniors. On top of that, they are also getting four high-quality recruits in: Mitch Hyatt, Jake Fruhmorgen, Noah Green, and Zach Giella. Hyatt and Fruhmorgen are both ranked in the top 10 in the nation at offensive tackle. With a mix of youth and experience, this line will be one few teams are going to want to have to face in 2015.

What to expect from Clemson

Looking at them on tape, while they lost a lot in key areas on both sides, make no mistake, this team is still a force to be dealt with.

Below is their last game of the 2014 season vs Oklahoma in Orlando:

As you can see from the videos here, with Dabo teams, you know you’re going to see a team that’s tough and physical, but the thing with Dabo teams are in big games, can they finally take that next step and be an elite program like the FSU’s, the Ohio State’s, the Oregon’s. They are the preseason favorite to win the ACC this year.  

In this game, it’ll be at home, if Clemson is going to an elite team and get to the playoffs, winning this game is critical. I expect the CANES to come out ready for this game. If Al ever needed a true signature win vs a top level opponent, and for a shot to win 11, they need this one.  I think it’ll be close, and like FSU, it’ll come down to who executes in the 4^th quarter. I want to say CANES are ready to be back on the National stage, but in the end, I don’t think it’ll be in this one. Clemson wins a tightly fought game here. 

2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview - Week 7 (VT 10/17)

Miami Hurricanes 2015 Opponent Preview

Week 7

Virginia Tech (October 17^th)

The 2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview continues with the preview of the Virginia Tech Hokies, who come into Sun Life on October 17^th.

This is an important year for Virginia Tech. This team is at a crossroads. For years, all this team did was won ACC titles. They did so in 6 of their first 8 years in the league. Since their last title in 2010, they’re just 12-12 in the league and for the fans up in Blacksburg, that’s a cause for concern. They needed a 6-6 season just to prevent missing the postseason for the first time since 1992. That season, they went 2-8-1. They did win a bowl game last year, and that alone kept a streak of 22 consecutive winning seasons. The question has to be asked, which fork in the road the Hokies make in 2015.

Let’s talk about Virginia Tech’s offense

The time is now for the Hokies with third-year offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler in charge there. The first two years, it was a matter of players understanding his system, and dealing with injuries and plenty of inexperienced players. However, now, with all the key players for them coming back, which includes QB Michael Brewer, a Texas Tech transfer who was at best, inconsistent. While Brewer threw for 18 touchdowns and 2,692 yards, he also had 15 interceptions, with 11 of those coming in the first six games.

He has much more experience now, as well as his weapons offensively. Back are WRs Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips, who combined for 96 catches, 1,207 yards and nine touchdowns as freshmen, and when you add TE Bucky Hodges, who basically destroyed all their school’s tight end records with 45 catches, 526 yards and seven touchdown. Mind you, he did this as a redshirt freshman. That tells you that their Receiving corps is going to be dangerous this year given the experience they have.

As for the running game, that’s the key question. With Shai McKenzie and Marshawn Williams coming off ACL injuries (the former having off the field/legal issues), there will be questions on whether or not they can come back and be effective. The key is having 2013 leading rusher Trey Edmunds at 100% health. They also have back J.C. Coleman, who showed he could carry the load after rushing for 468 yards in the final four games of 2014.

Another key question is the offensive line. Their staff believes that their starting five could have a big year here. The one that’s expected to be the leader of the line is LG Wyatt Teller. Teller is a guy who could mix it up and be a true bruiser in the trenches. He came in the middle of last season into the starting lineup, and turned out to be their O-line MVP. The big if’s here are:

• ·         The O-Line coming together
• ·         Their younger players step up and make plays.
• ·         Brewer can eliminate the turnovers in key spots.

If they do all that, their Offense will be hard to stop.

Let's talk about the Virginia Tech Defense

As for the defense, you know what you’re going to see from a Bud Foster defense and that’s aggressive defense, blitzes, and good coverage from the secondary. This group is no different. Their strength, as usual is in the trenches and on the back end, specifically the secondary. They have back on the D-Line, four starting defensive linemen who have earned All-ACC recognition in their careers. They have back DT Luther Maddy, who’s back off a medical redshirt, and he’ll be paired with undersized but quick Corey Marshall on the interior. Their ends are even better than their interior players. At the ends, they have back Dadi Nicolas and Ken Ekanem, who combined for 18.5 sacks and 33 tackles for a loss last year, the most productive D-line tandem in the ACC. They will be a force to be dealt with for opposing O-Line coaches and Offensive Coordinators.

As for the secondary, it’s a fluid situation there, when you consider there were spring absences. Make no mistake though, they have a top level CB in All-American Kendall Fuller back.  The big key is that they need Brandon Facyson to stay healthy at the other Corner position. If he stays healthy, look for the Hokies to move Chuck Clark back to Safety. While, this group gave up a ton of big plays in 2014, they have the talent to shut people down.

At LB, is where the biggest question lies on Defense for the Hokies in 2015. They have back Deon Clarke, but other than that, Andrew Motuapuaka is a first-year starter. Still though, they have a defense that will once again rush the passer and cover top the opponent’s top receivers, which has been a trademark of a Bud Foster Defense.

Let's talk about the Virginia Tech Special Teams

As for their special teams, this is a trademark of Frank Beamer teams, hence the term “Beamerball”. However, it’s slacked off in recent years. Though Kicker Joey Slye (20-of-28 on field goals) has the leg to go 50-plus, he need to fix the accuracy issues. Punter A.J. Hughes is coming off back surgery, which in part, might explain why his average fell off from 44.1 in 2013 to 39.9 in 2014. As for their Punt Return game, they have a guy that could break a big one at any time in Greg Stroman. In 2014, he nearly broke half a dozen punt returns for touchdowns. The big issue here is kick return game. That’s been lacking the last few seasons in Blacksburg and that could use a boost in 2015.

What to expect from Virginia Tech

Looking at them on tape, you know what you’re going to get from a Beamer/Foster team and that’s Special Teams, Defense and a physical running game.

Foster is a master of giving different looks on defense (ask Ohio State last year about the Foster defense).

Below is from their 2015 Spring Game

Below is from the Military Bowl vs Cincinnati

Below are the highlights from our win in Blacksburg last year

Below is the CANES O vs VT D

In this game, I expect the CANES to come out after an expected tough loss in Tallahassee and play much better vs the Hokies at home. Now, it won’t be like the 30-6 game in Blacksburg last year, in the end though, expect to see a solid CANES victory. 

Up Next: 10/24 vs Clemson

2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview - Week 6 (at FSU 10/10)

Miami Hurricanes 2015 Opponent Preview

Week 6

At FSU (October 10^th)

The 2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview continues with the preview of the Florida State Seminoles whom The U visits up at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on October 10th.

About FSU, They won the ACC title again, going 13-1, and getting thrashed by Oregon in Pasadena in the 1^st College Football Playoff.  Jimbo Fisher comes into season 5 in Florida’s capital city. You know what you’re getting from the Noles. There are some question marks this year. We all know the deal with the off the field issues that are well-documented.

Let’s talk about the Seminoles, on the field.

First, the offense. They were one of the schools that Braxton Miller was considering before ultimately deciding to stay in Columbus. They did add a “high profile transfer” in Everett Golson.  While in South Bend, with Notre Dame, he was a highly productive player for three seasons, however, Seminole fans should cringe at this fact: He turned the ball over 22 times last year. However, Golson has big game experience and when you consider that he is one of only two active FBS quarterbacks to have started a national championship game and that Sean Maguire and J.J. Consentino don’t have much experience and Maguire being very inconsistent, this is Golson’s job to lose here. Year 1 in the Post-Jameis era should be very interesting to watch.

The running game is led by Sophomore Dalvin Cook. However, he is one of their players that is facing potential discipline for “off-field issues”, but even if he does end up suspended or worse,  this is still a top-level unit to be reckoned with.  Should they lose Cook, it would be a HUGE loss for them. You don’t easily replace a guy who rushed for 1,000+ yards in 2014.  Should it be necessary to do so, Mario Pender is going to have to step up and carry the load left behind by a potential Cook suspension, and also possibly getting more work would be true freshman Jacques Patrick, a five-star recruit out of Orlando.  Pender rushed for roughly 200 yards and four touchdowns as their third running back in 2014.

As for the receiving corps, it won’t be easy to replace guys like Rashad Greene (drafted in 5^th round as the 3^rd pick to Jacksonville) and Nick O’Leary (drafted in 6^th round as the 18^th pick to Buffalo), however, when you look at FSU, they have the talent to reload.  Returning to Tallahassee in 2015, are Jesus Wilson and Travis Rudolph, both of whom had 500 yards receiving in 2014, and Ermon Lane, whom the coaches there are very high on, and as a Freshman, he showed flashes of why he was one of the top receivers in the country coming out of high school snaring 13 passes for 267 yards.  Another WR who could have more chances to get passes his way this year is Kermit Whitfield is Whitfield caught 11 passes for 145 yards in 2014.

As much talent as they have at the skill positions, there will be a new Offensive Line in 2015. If there’s a ? with the O, its here. Gone are two All-Americans.  The only one back with experience is LT Roderick Johnson, whose being asked to step up and be the leader of the offensive line. He only has five career starts.  The only other lineman that has started a game is Ryan Hoefield, who has four career starts at left guard, but he’s not listed as a starter right now. Look for him though to end up being the Center. Make no mistake, the talent is there, if they can step up and produce a solid season, then they’ll be ok.

Now, let’s move over to the other side of the ball on Defense.  

Their back seven is very very good, especially the Linebackers. They have back Reggie Northrup, Terrance Smith and DeMarcus Walker, as well as their top reserve in Matthew Thomas.  In 2014, Northrup led the team with 91.5 tackles.  Smith was their best LB in coverage, picking off two passes, breaking up a pass, and forcing a fumble.  As for DeMarcus Walker, he led their LB’ers in tackles for loss with six.

They will have to play a bigger role this year because the D-Line will have some new faces this year. Gone are  Mario Edwards, Jr. (drafted in the 2^nd round by the Oakland Raiders), Eddie Goldman (drafted in the 2^nd round by the Chicago Bears and the pick was endorsed by Dick Butkus) and Desmond Hollin (signed as UFA by the Denver Broncos). Combined, those three players had 23 tackles for loss and seven sacks.  Its going to be up to Chris Casher to step up and be their top pass rusher in 2015.  Derrick² (Nnadi and Mitchell, Jr.) need to be the guys on the interior that step up, and really make a difference vs the run and be effective pass rushers next to Nile Lawrence-Stample, their DT.

As for their Secondary, the best player there is Jalen Ramsey, who will likely, barring injury and doesn’t get in trouble off the field, will be a Top 5 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.  This guy is the real deal.  In 2014, he had 9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, twelve pass break-ups and three forced fumbles.  Ramsey by himself, changes a gameplan for opposing Head Coaches and Offensive coordinators. However, Ramsey isn’t the only game in town. He will have with him coming back, Safeties Nate Andrews and Tyler Hunter.  Andrews, last year, was second on their team with 79.5 tackles and also picked off three passes.  As for Hunter, he had an interception, but where he did his damage was breaking up 7 passes. Also back for them is Sophomore Tyler Marshall.

As for their special teams, they don’t get any better than Junior Roberto Aguayo, who, unlike FSU kickers of the past, has been money when it matters most, and punter Carson Beatty. While their coverage units are excellent, the kickoff return team must be better, when you consider the fact they averaged just 20 yards per return in 2014.

What to expect from FSU

Looking at them on tape, you know what to expect from them. They are explosive Offensively, and ball-hawks on the defensive end, especially Ramsey.  They will hit big plays, and if Golson can limit the turnovers and come up big like he has in his career, this will be like if Jameis weren’t even there. If their D up front steps up early to replace the losses they suffered there, you know their back seven is very good, and if they stay healthy, they have another 10-11 win team there again in 2015.

The video you see below is highlights of Everett Golson from last year. 

This video is FSU from last season

This video is of last year's heartbreaker at Sun Life

Well, this is the ACC opener for The U. They’ve lost 5 straight times on (4 on Al’s watch). This will be a game that comes down to the end, whoever executes when it matters most will win. Being that this game is in Tallahassee, I want to believe this is finally the game where Al gets his signature win, but I just believe in the end, FSU will make enough plays late, to get the win over The U.

FSU by 3-7 points here over the CANES. 

2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview - Week 5 (at Cincinnati 10/1)

Miami Hurricanes 2015 Opponent Preview

Week 5 (Week 4 was a BYE)

At Cincinnati (October 1^st {Thursday Night})

The 2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview continues with the preview of the Cincinnati Bearcats whom The U visits up at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on October 1^st (Thursday Night) at 7:30 pm on ESPN.

About Cincinnati. They went 9-4 (in the AAC),  and Tommy Tuberville comes into season 3 in the Queen City as the odds-on favorite to win their conference title (AAC). Their Offense is loaded with talented playmakers, which is led by Gunner Kiel. The big question will be how their Defense does.

First, let’s talk about the known, which is their offense.  

As mentioned, they get Kiel back. In last year’s opener, he threw six touchdown passes in his collegiate debut. He was at one time, a No. 1 quarterback recruit, who started his career at Notre Dame, before coming to Cincinnati. finished 2014 with 31 TD passes to tie their record for one season and he has back his top seven receivers. If there’s a question with the O, it has to be on the durability end. Kiel, now a junior, made all 13 starts last season, however, he did leave some games due to the fact that he was banged up with rib and/or back injuries.. Their training staff up there has worked with Kiel to improve his core strength.

There could be a record breaking season for  WR Shaq Washington (66 catches, four TDs). He’s on pace to become the UC career leader in receptions, and for a possession receiver like he is, that’s impressive. Also back are Mekale McKay and Chris Moore (both of whom had eight TD catches apiece). Those two are the big play threats downfield in their four-wide offense.

While their passing game was Top 15 nationally (13^th), the running game left a little to be desired here. In 2014, their running game was 72^nd nationally. You can guess what the focus was on this spring up there offensively. The reason for the low ranking in the running game, was the fact that their top backs Hosey Williams and Tion Green missed most of 2014 with injuries. Their leading rusher was Mike Boone, who had 650 yards rushing and nine TDs as a true freshman. Come fall camp, this will be one battle worth watching between Boone and Williams to see who wins that job as No 1 back.

As for the Offensive Line, they lost to graduation 3x all-league left tackle Eric Lefeld, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an Undrafted Free Agent. However, they do have three starters back in Parker Ehinger (who will move over to Lefeld’s old spot at LT from RG), RT Justin Murray and C Deyshawn Bond.

Onto the Defensive side

Keep in mind that when The U thrashed the Bearcats 55–34 last year at Sun Life, their D was the worst in the country. This led Tubs to say the following:  “We can’t tackle anybody on defense. We look like the Bad News Bears.” The kicker was that just two weeks earlier, they had allowed 710 yards in a 50–28 loss to Ohio State. Suffice to say, the schedule was brutal early, but got easier once AAC play started and their D was better as the season went on and they would rank 96^th  in total defense when the season ended. You could tell that UC’s relative lack of defensive speed got exposed by the big boys.

They lose key personnel to graduation. That includes  LBs Jeff Luc (134 tackles, who was picked up as a UFA by the Miami Dolphins) and Nick Temple (113, who was picked up as a UFA by the Cincinnati Bengals) and defensive end Terrell Hartsfield (AAC-best 9.0 sacks, who was picked up by the Colts as an UFA). They do get back DE Silverberry Mouhon on the D-Line.

Also back is a ball-hawk in Safety Zach Edwards (121 tackles), and their back 4 will get a boost with the return of veteran cornerback Adrian Witty. A vocal team leader, Witty missed most of 2014 with a leg injury, so getting him back will be boost for the Bearcat secondary.

The consistency on D is shaky here, when you consider the fact that the Bearcats will have its third DC, in Tubs’ three years in the Queen City. Steve Clinkscale, is the new DC, promoted from secondary/cornerbacks coach. The man that led the D last year, Hank Hughes, left for Lincoln, to become defensive line coach at Nebraska.

As for their special teams

Like the Defense, they will have their third ST coordinator. Ty Linder comes in from TCU. They have back Placekicker Andrew Gantz, who had a solid Freshman season, which saw him earn second-team All-AAC honors after making 16-of-20 field goal attempts. Also back is Punter Sam Geraci, and as the season went on, he got better. He finished his Freshman year with a 39.4-yard average. While the kicking game was solid, the same could not be said for their coverage teams, at least early, As the season went on, they got better. In 2013, their coverage was terrible. When it came to the return game, nothing of note could be said here.

What to expect from Cincinnati

Looking at them on tape, they are explosive Offensively, and ball-hawks on the defensive end.  They will hit big plays, and Kiel, if he stays healthy, is the real deal, and their WRs are very good and they do stretch the field effectively. They run a lot of 4 wide sets. If their D steps up early to replace the losses they suffered there, and adjust to another new DC, look out.

Coming off a BYE week, on a Thursday Night on the road and with FSU 9 days later in the ACC opener on the road, this is a potential trap game for The U.  It won’t be like last year at Sun Life, where they just dismantled the Bearcats. It’ll be closer, but in the end, I believe that the CANES will make just enough plays and make some key stops late to win this one. I predict CANES win by 10-14 points on the road in Cincinnati. 

Up Next: at FSU (10/10)