"Tigers Tamed... Heading Home"

A few days later, Miami faithful are still holding their collective breath. How could one not sit through that entire overtime period absolutely sweating it out?

That second straight loss was knocking at the door – even though the Canes led 20-10 with just over three minutes left in regulation. In such a do or die game, how the hell could that be?

A sad trend we've grown accostomed to these past few seasons - not putting away an opponent late in the contest.

It almost came back to bite Miami this past weekend as Clemson QB Charlie Whitehurst came this close to completing the go ahead score with 0:19 left on the clock. Pressure from the Canes’ defense threw his timing off – but again, no excuse to even be in that position when once leading by ten with three minutes left in regulation.

Adjectives like ‘elated’ or ‘ecstatic’ are oft used to describe the feeling after a Hurricanes’ win. Regarding this weekend, only one word comes to mind: ‘relieved.’

Staring down the barrel of 0-2 was absolutely frightening for a team with Rose Bowl aspirations. 1-1 means, thankfully - there’s still a pulse. This ship can be righted, back on course to the ACC Championship game - and if all goes well, Pasadena.

Five of the next six games are at home, in the comfy confines of the Orange Bowl. A few lesser opponents in South Florida, Duke and Temple on the schedule as well. A much better way to fine tune offensive woes and get those young Canes some playing time, than road trips to Florida State or Clemson.

There was a ton of positive to come out of this past weekend. Tyrone Moss is proving he’s the next solid back at Miami – though a long way from being mentioned in the same breath as McGahee, Portis or James. Still, this modern era bunch of Canes was again in a position where the game put on the shoulders of a running back – and thankfully he delivered. 139 yards, 3 touchdowns and the biggest scamper of his career – the 25 yard game winner.

Kyle Wright again showed promise and that the future for Miami is now. The tools are all there for this to be the Canes’ next great gunslinger – if he can get at least some protection from his offensive line.

Sure, there were some rookie mistakes – evidenced by watching fifth-year senior Whitehurst use his experience to work himself out of some jams as Wright couldn’t. Still, the big throws were made when they needed to be. Crisp, precise and as close to perfect as one would hope for. The present can be bright, if we get Wright some protection. Maybe then we’ll see more downfield throws and deep ball fans are clamoring for.

Another positive is Ryan Moore finally making his presence felt after disappearing in 2004. Only four grabs for 54 yards on Saturday – but each play more clutch than the next. Back to back games now, Moore has had a key drop – but has more than atoned for past sins, hauling in clutch catches at the game’s most important moments. Get the o-line to give Wright a little more time – and let this quarterback and receiver duo get synched up the next few weeks with a few ‘gimmie’ games. Same to be said for tight end Greg Olsen - a superstar performance against Florida State but almost non existent in Death Valley as Clemson's game plan was to elimiate him. If the line can come together - how can Wright fail with Moore, Olsen and T. Moss in his backfield?

Defensively, what can we say? Vintage Miami, outside of that late fourth quarter breakdown where Clemson scored twice in three minutes. The Tigers’ two headed monster at running back – Reggie Merriweather and James Davis – were held to a combined 15 carries for 20 yards and no touchdowns. Whitehurst got his 288 yards, throwing for two scores and taking one in himself. Still, after eight quarters and two overtime periods this season – he coughed up that first turnover – an interception snagged by Miami’s freshman Kenny Phillips.

Defensive line brought some pressure – but a little less than hoped for. Linebacker play still leaves some to be desired as well, while the secondary made a share of game saving plays.

A constant cry heard from fans two games into the season – play calling. Why are we zigging when we should be zagging? Why does there seem to be a lack of imagination at times? Why aren't we designing plays to get the ball out of Wright's hand quicker to avoid the sack? Where's the creativity? There has to be another flavor besides vanilla.

Any Cane who watched Saturday’s contest saw some new looks from the Tigers’ offense. Rob Spence has been handed the keys after a few solid seasons at Toledo. The result? A few shovel passes. Big plays on first down. Spreading the field at times. A simple desire to stay one step ahead of opposing defensive coordinators. It’s gotten them past Texas A&M, helped them rally to beat Maryland and had them one overthrown pass away from beating Miami and starting 3-0.

Of course, there are a million and one ‘what ifs’ per game which the loser can harp on and replay in their minds. Lord knows Miami has done that the past two weeks while reliving the 10-7 loss to Florida State. Botched kicks. Dropped third down passes. Mishandled interception opportunities. Play calling as well. It’s enough to make one’s head swim. Thankfully its Clemson heads which are swimming today – not Miami’s.

Why did Miami choose to predictably run on about 85% of its first down opportunities? How come when Clemson brought the score to 20-17 with just over two minutes to play, Hurricane faithful could feel the life sucked out of them – just KNOWING the Tigers were going to get the ball back? One first down was all that was needed to put the game out of reach, yet Miami went three and out and Memorial Stadium reached its highest decibel level of the afternoon.

Hopefully the coaches know something the diehard fan and longtime supporter of the program doesn't. Maybe there is a bigger picture here. The goal was to 'survive' Florida State and Clemson. We did the latter and almost did the opener. In two road games which could make or break the season, maybe it was the right call to keep it mildly conservative at times. Follow that up with five of six home games, a few doormat teams and a chance to open up the playbook a bit. One would love to believe that is the long term plan for 2005.

Then again, alot is simply this new regime of Miami Football. This isn’t yesteryear and a coaching staff who wants to go out and bury opponents. Long gone are the days of that backbreaking touchdown bomb to extend a late game 10-point lead to 17 – putting that collective foot on the opponents’ throat and just ending them. The Canes win with class now and have the approach that winning by a point is just as good as winning by twenty one.

Is that right or wrong? I don’t know. I’ve played armchair quarterback enough in my day to wear out my welcome on the subject. Sure, I long for the day when the Decade of Dominance Miami Hurricanes were not only rolling up opponents – but were also instilling fear in everyone on that other sideline. But is it realistic to expect that in 2005? The college football landscape has changed. Many programs caught up with Miami and what made us a stand out and four-time National Champion between 1983 and 1991.

There’s talk that this program has lost its swagger. Wrong. Watch our kids when they take the field every week. The swagger is there. Hitting hard, making plays and rallying around each other. Did you see every kid with a “U” on his helmet after Phillips’ interception? Rallying around him. Jumping up and down. Making some noise and letting all of Clemson know it’s a Canes thing.

Fact is we don't have that riverboat gambler-style leader we once had. We are much more apt to follow the script now. Play the percentages. Keep it all closer to the vest. In the past few seasons we have definitely lived by that sword and died by it as well.

Look at recent National Champions this decade. Oklahoma. Miami. Ohio State. Louisiana State. Southern California. Who is oozing with bravado and swagger? No one. There is much more parity in the college game now. It comes down to talent, focus, game plan, execution and the football gods not blocking your path to a championship.

The Canes are no longer that independent with that ‘anywhere, anytime, anyplace’ mentality. Miami is in a conference – arguably the best in the nation this season. Solid teams top to bottom, few ‘gimmie’ games and now a conference championship game as well. There is little breathing room - so maybe playing it close to the vest at times is the way to go. We'll soon find out.

After a 9-3 season and Peach Bowl win - coming on the heels of 11-2, 12-1, 12-0, 11-1 and four straight BCS berths - the natives are restless in Coral Gables. Miami can still win big in this era of big business college football. We saw the formula in 2001 and must do what we can to replicate that in 2005.

Sharp quarterback behind center, solid running back(s), productive tight end, one go-to receiver and a stable of horses on the offensive line. Mix in some Miami style speed, hard hitting for the defense and a few team leaders - and the Canes have proven they can earn a National Championship in the modern day. Getting snubbed in 2000, winning it all in 2001 and playing in the 2002 title game solidified the program as a team of this century – not a program living on past glories.

It’s 1-1 and back to ‘one game at a time’ for Miami. Focus everything on Colorado this weekend. Everything. The Buffs may not be tops like their conference foe Longhorns - but they still come from a physical Big XII and are 2-0, headed to the Orange Bowl looking for a win. They aren't going to roll over strictly because we're Miami. Those days are gone - though string together a few dominating wins and people will fear the Canes again.

Pre-2002 was anyone really afraid to storm into the Coliseum to take on the Trojans? Hardly. 21-straight wins and two National Championships later - USC has become a monster at home. A winning streak dating back to September 2001.

One could pick apart the Florida State and Clemson games for the next month – but why? They're in the books. Right now it's all about Colorado. Take the Buffaloes down on a sweltering and humid Saturday in the Orange Bowl for the home opener. From there, more home games and time to tweak and fine tune some glaring issues exposed these past two weeks.

At day’s end, few teams have started out with a tougher first two games than Miami. Traveling to Florida State and Clemson is definitely a step up from Florida A&M in the Orange Bowl for an opener. Miami weathered that storm and found its quarterback. This team could easily be best case 2-0 or worst case 0-2 today.

We have to accept 1-1 right now and not sweat the lone loss. National Championship and ACC Championship berths are still an option. Get over the hump and we'll have that chance for revenge against Florida State on December 3rd in the ACC Championship. That said, a lot of ball left to be played between now and then.

While the current emotion is still ‘relief’ regarding Clemson - it is time to let ‘optimism’ start sinking in. A major hurdle has been cleared and the difficult part of the young season has passed. Wright proved his worth as the signal caller we’ve longed for since the Ken Dorsey era. After two down years at running back, Ty Moss is the man – with Derron Thomas and Charlie Jones as capable back ups, itching to get in the game. Moore is back to old form at receiver. Olsen is that next great tight end. Sinorice Moss, Lance Leggett and Darnell Jenkins are a very solid supporting cast. The offensive line was offensive at Florida State - but showed some improvement at Clemson. Time to get even better when Colorado comes calling.

Defensively we found that new playmaker in Phillips. Defensive line will wreak havoc, secondary will hold down the fort and issues at linebacker will solve themselves. The players are there – it’s just getting the right trio on the field. Give it time. That’s what the next few weeks are for.

Right now, it’s all about the Buffs.

2-0 and making the cross country trek to Coral Gables. Leaving the high altitude behind and preparing for high humidity levels. Take advantage of that mismatch, Canes. Wear ‘em out, get that ‘W’ and let’s get one step closer. Miami will get better game after game. One has to believe that trend starts this week. Build on Clemson, appreciate that home turf and show Colorado no hospitality this Saturday.


The Prediction - Miami 27, Colorado 19


Born and raised in Miami, FL and a CanesTime.com columnist since 1996, Chris Bello now resides in San Diego, CA and handling online sales and providing content for allCanes.com. Feel free to send your comments or to contact him at chris@allCanes.com