Miami 6, Missouri 5 -- Coral Gables Regional

Steve Corvi is a lucky man this evening. The third base umpire certainly did his part in almost stealing a win from the Miami Hurricanes, but in the end everyone saw why this is the top-ranked team in the land, now sporting a 49-8 record. Hurricane Nation can breathe a sigh of relief and Corvi didn't have to watch his back leaving Mark Light Field.

The Canes got off to a lightning fast start, putting up five runs on seven hits in the first three innings. Miami left three batters stranded over that stretch, which almost cost them in the end - but clutch, fundamental baseball in the bottom of the eight inning and stifling pitching when it counted - proved to be the difference-maker.

Missouri used the top of the eight to turn a two-run deficit into a 5-5 tie after a Trevor Coleman double and a Steve Gray two-run shot.

Miami looked to start a bottom of the eight rally with Dennis Raben at the plate. Raben sent his shot into shallow left field, where the Tigers' Aaron Senne dove, bobbled and for a moment, seemed to come up with the circus catch.

The TV replay clearly showed Raben's shot bouncing out of Senne's glove, onto his arm, to the ground and eventually to his glove. From his third-base post, Corvi called it an out - much to the dismay of an angry Miami crowd.

As expected, Senne sold it as if he caught it and remained aloof in the post-game when asked about the game-changing play. "As far as I remember, it hit my glove and bounced off my chest and arm and I looked up and it was in my glove," Senne said.

A batter later, Dave DiNatale walked so instead of first and second with no outs, Miami had one on and an out when Adam Severino singled and sent DiNatle to third. Had Raben been on, the Canes would've immediately taken the lead. Instead, it's 5-5 with one out, runners on the corners and a double play away from a scoreless inning.

Thankfully, none of that got into the head of freshman catcher Yasmani Grandal as he approached the plate and sent Kyle Gibson's first offering between third and short, driving in DiNatale and giving the Canes a 6-5 lead that wouldn't be surrendered.

Carlos Gutierrez sat down three straight Missouri batters in the top of the ninth to end the game. In fitting fashion, Senne provided the second out when he struck out for the second time on the day. Call it Karma or bad luck, but it seemed to make sense that the left fielder who faked and catch and stole a run from Miami would be unproductive in his final at bat.

Chris Hernandez started strong for the Canes, surrendering three hits in four innings pitched and striking out four. Things got rocky in the fifth when Hernandez gave up four straight hits and three runs, two off the bat of Senne. Kyle Bellamy attempted some relief in the bottom of the sixth, but only lasted an inning as he gave up three hits in six at bats, including Gray's two-run bomb to tie the game. He eventually yielded to Gutierrez, who closed it out.

Miami is one game away from the Super Regional and action will kick off Sunday at 4pm EDT when the Canes will face a depleted and run down Missouri/Ole Miss winner. The game will be televised on ESPN U so tune in and root for The U!

Miami survives scare from Bethune-Cookman

Could the unthinkable really happen? After a 47-8 regular season and a top-seeding in the opening round of the NCAAs, were the Miami Hurricanes really going to get tagged in the nose by a four-seed?

Bethune-Cookman is no joke. Miami knew that, which was much of the reason the #1 seed was miffed to draw such a tough opening round match up and bracket. The Wildcats were boasting Hiram Burgos on the mound and his 1.20 ERA. Hardly the cakewalk you'd expect top-ranked Miami to face in an opener.

"I don't think I've been as nervous all year as I was today," said Miami coach Jim Morris. "They can run; they swing at first pitches and play hard. They have an outstanding club."

And why shouldn't the Canes have been worried? An opening round loss to what Morris called "the best fourth seed in the nation" would've have been an enormous setback to The U. Clawing your way out of the loser's bracket, is doable - but it no small feat. You blow through your pitching and the pressure remains on as you're one loss away from your season coming to an end.

For Miami to not even reach the Super Regional would absolutely make this season a colossal failure for a bunch who set its sights on Omaha and winning the whole damn thing.

Bethune-Cookman provided a big time scare, going up 2-0 in the second inning and then scoring two more in the sixth to tie it up 4-4, taking back a lead the Canes held for a mere two innings.

Yasmani Grandal drove home Dave DiNatale in the bottom of the sixth to put Miami ahead for good, and Blake Tekotte provided two more insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. A breakdown in the Wildcats' pitching proved to be the difference maker after Ryan Jackson was hit by a pitch and advanced a batter later on a passed ball. DiNatale walked and a batter later Adam Severino got a free pass as well.

With the bases loaded, a full count and two outs, Tekotte provided the spark the Canes needed with a base hit blooper too center, driving in two as Bethune-Cookman outfielders were playing deep and respecting the Miami bats.

The Canes pitching tightened up, closing out the Wildcats the final three innings. Enrique Garcia got roughed up little bit early, giving up 7 hits and was responsible for all 4 runs, before giving way to Kyle Bellamy, who pitched 2.1 innings, gave up 3 hits and had 3 strikeouts. From there, Carlos Gutierrez closed things out, giving up 1 hit in 1 inning and struck out two.

Next up for the breathing-easier Canes, a 4pm ET Saturday showdown with Missouri, while Ole Miss and Bethune-Cookman battle it out in the losers bracket. The Miami/Missouri loser faces the Ole Miss/Bethune Cookman winner, while the Canes/Tigers winner remains in the driver's seat and will be the team to beat in the Coral Gables regional.

Miami Hurricanes: ACC Champs!

The Miami Hurricanes are ACC Champs.

While most fans would prefer to hear that regarding the much-loved football program, it's the baseball Canes who stepped up first and took a huge step forward regarding success in their new conference. Ironically enough, Miami Baseball laid the smack down on a Virginia team who owned the Canes on the gridiron last season.

After a couple nailbiters earlier in the ACC tourney, this time around Miami was in control the entire afternoon. The Canes saw all nine batters at the plate in the first inning and jumped out to an early 4-0. Miami cruised from there as David Gutierrez shut down the Cavalier batters for the majority of his five innings.

The Canes added three more in the third and sat on a 7-0 lead until the bottom of the sixth when the Cavs rallied for four of their own. Anthony Nalepa and Kyle Bellamy stifled Virginia's comeback over the final 3.3 innings, allowing a combined 4 hits and one run, with two late strikeouts coming via Bellamy.

Miami added one more insurance run in the top of the eighth, when Mark Sobolewski drove home Jemile Weeks, who got on base with a single, found second on a pitching error and reached third on a Yonder Alonzo ground out.

Next up for the Canes, the Coral Gables regional and a bracket some feel is a bit deeper and more difficult than a top-seeded host deserves. Miami will get a feisty Bethune-Cookman bunch, with one of the nation's best pitchers - as well as the SEC's Ole Miss and Big XII's Missouri. Hardly a cakewalk for the #1 team, but if Miami can't take out these squads, then they don't deserve a trip to Omaha.

Tune in later this week to see how the Canes do when hosting the opening round of the regionals. Miami v. Bethune-Cookman time TBA.

Miami to face Virginia in ACC title game...

Jemile Weeks and Enrique Garcia almost single-handedly put the Miami Hurricanes in the ACC Championship game against sixth-seeded Virginia.

The Canes took down the Wolfpack, 5-2 in Saturday's showdown, with a title game berth on the line. Weeks fired a three-run shot in the third inning, while Garcia tossed seven scoreless innings en route to Miami's third straight victory in Jacksonville. The U outscored the competition 27-15 to improve their record to 3-0 this week and like last night, Weeks' shot was another two-out rally by the Canes.

Miami takes on Virginia at 1pm EDT on Sunday. The Canes are 3-0 against the Cavs this year and sport a four-game win streak against their ACC rival. 

Carlos Gutierrez earned his 11th save, striking out the final two batters with two runners on in the bottom of the ninth.

Tune in tomorrow to see if Miami wins the ACC crown for the first time in school history and improves their seeding entering regional week.

ESPN finally gets a SOMETHING right...

ESPN spent this week getting folks amped up for the impending college football season by putting together a week long piece called "The BCS at 10" - calling in several columnists to chime in regarding the best teams, impact players, most exciting games and what not.

With four BCS appearances, the Miami Hurricanes definitely made their presence felt on the list - though in a few cases, were slighted by the sports network who seems to love not giving the Canes their due and will cheap-shot The U all day long when given the opportunity.

On Monday, the Best BCS Bowl Games were broken down and even though Miami has played in four of the ten years the BCS has been in existence, the Canes only clocked in once - the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, which ranked second.

Over five years later, still no resolution as Chris Low writes, "The first overtime was marred by a controversial pass interference penalty called on Miami's Glenn Sharpe. In fact, the Hurricanes rushed the field thinking they had won the game. But a late flag came flying out of the back of the end zone after Craig Krenzel's fourth-down pass to Chris Gamble fell incomplete."

The memory of this game sticks around like an unwanted houseguest or a case of VD.

In no surprise to all, the Bobby Bowden stroke-fest continued as the Seminoles made the list twice with the 2000 Sugar Bowl win over Virginia Tech, 46-29 for the championship - as well as the triple overtime loss to Penn State, 26-23.

The '00 Sugar Bowl sort of makes sense, as freshman Michael Vick rallied to get the Hokies in the game, bringing it to 29-28 late in the third before the Noles pulled away... but the nod for the '05 Orange Bowl is typical ESPN and their love affair with all things Bowden and Joe Paterno.

How does a game with a slew of missed kicks, featuring a then 8-4 Florida State team surpass the '01 Sugar Bowl, pitting bitter rivals Miami and Florida against each other for the first time since 1987?

The Canes, snubbed from the title game after beating the Noles head-to-head months back, roll into New Orleans with a #2 ranking and take down the #7 Gators in the heart of SEC country.

13-10 at the half, Florida jumped out to a 17-13 lead before Miami found the end zone twice in the quarter, going up 27-13 entering the fourth. From there, a stifling Canes defense shut down the Gators offense and Sebastian The Ibis even drew a flag for excessive celebration on the game's final score.

Also on Monday, Ted Miller broke down the most memorable BCS performances, and it shouldn't come as a surprise to Hurricane Nation that no Miami player made this list.

Unstoppable all night, Andre Johnson racked up 199 yards and two touchdowns for co-MVP honors with Ken Dorsey, who threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns.

Oklahoma's defense was #2 on the list, for shutting down Florida State in the 2001 Orange Bowl, en route to a 13-2 win. Typical, being that ESPN will stroke all things Bob Stoops and OU.

Why does the Sooners' D get the love for shutting down a Snoop Minnis-less Florida State bunch, yet Miami's offense puts up 472 yards against Nebraska in the '02 Rose Bowl, posts a 34-0 halftime lead and owns the Huskers.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't for the Canes. Not that Larry Coker had the stones to do so, but had he kept his foot on the throttle, Miami could've worked Nebraska, 68-0. But like he did in the opener against Penn State (a 30-0 halftime lead resulted in a 33-7 final), the best team in college football history let up out of respect for the other guy.

Southern Cal gets bonus points for kicking the ass off an overrated Oklahoma bunch in the '05 Orange Bowl, 55-19 and takes no heat for running up the score - whereas you plug The U in USC's slot and it'd have been poor sportsmanship.

Miami also showed up under the Biggest BCS Slights category for the 2000 season where Florida State would up in the national championship game against No. 1 Oklahoma, instead of The U.

Forget that Miami was #2 in the AP and Coaches Polls, the Noles somehow jumped the Canes in the BCS - even though Miami won the head-to-head battle in October, ending a 17-game win streak and knocking off the defending champs.

Miller attempts to build an argument for Washington - who beat the Canes, 34-29 in early September - but it falls on deaf ears.

Miami followed the blueprint of losing early in the season and winning out. The Canes were #4 and the Huskies were #15 when the two teams met for the out of conference match up in Seattle.

UW lost two weeks later to 25th-ranked Oregon by a touchdown. The Huskies also won out, but their body of work was nowhere near as impressive - struggling with middle of the road Pac-10 teams and almost losing to a then 3-4 Stanford bunch.

The U took down top-ranked Florida State and weeks later beat down second-ranked Virginia Tech by 20 points. When the BCS talked about margin of victory, the Canes played along in the finale, working over Boston College, 52-6, in an attempt to prove the mettle.

In the end, the Noles got the nod and faceplanted, 13-2 against the Sooners while #2 Miami kicked the ass off of #7 Florida, 37-2o, in a very hostile Sugar Bowl. Washington knocked off #14 Purdue, 34-24 and finished the season with a #3 ranking.

A year later, the BCS began putting more value on head-to-head match ups, meaning if the 2000 scenario occurred in 2001, Miami would've absolutely played Oklahoma instead of Florida State... yet ESPN's Miller still attempts to make a case for Washington.

I guess it should come as no surprise that Mr. Miller was a beat writer for the Seattle Post Intelligence. Yeah, no bias there Teddy Boy. Nice journalistic integrity when attempting to be neutral when writing for ESPN.

All in all, ESPN got it right with the best team of the BCS era - but that was a no-brainer. In other areas where some common sense and no bias was necessary, the oft-wrong network again failed and proved they're not all about The U.

The Remedy...

This might be just what the doctor ordered. That shot in the arm needed to wake up a great team that at best, has looked merely 'good' in a handful of their past outings after being the most dominant team the majority of this season.

The Miami Hurricanes found themselves in a back-and-forth struggle with a Georgia Tech team they owned just over a month ago.

The Canes jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings. The Yellow Jackets tied it up after their third time at bat and went ahead 5-4 after four. A two-run fifth made it 6-5, Canes and a four-run sixth gave Miami a 10-5 cushion.

Back stormed the other guys with four runs of their own, cutting The U's lead. 10-9.

Miami answered with one in the seventh. Georgia Tech scored three in the eight, for a 12-11 lead. Three outs from a win, this one could've been all but over.

Fat chance.

The Canes rallied for four more in the ninth, took a 15-12 lead and never looked back, sending the Yellow Jackets down in order in the bottom of the ninth.

Thursday's showdown was not only filled with drama, but also the gritty, high octane, never say die type of baseball this Canes squad needs to reach Omaha. When this season is all said and done, it could be this 15-12 victory that defines the postseason - though Miami still needs to tighten up some aspects of their game if that's to be a reality.

Miami could've quit. It didn't. The Canes could've reached Sunday's title game without beating the Jackets, but no one wanted to go out like that - letting doubt set in this late in the season.

Georgia Tech saved their ace David Duncan and Miami ran the southpaw from Jacksonville back to Atlanta, tattooing him for 10 hits and leaving him responsible for 10 of the 15 runs in 5.2 innings pitched.

The bats finally woke up as Miami had 15 hits - six of which were home runs. Yonder Alonzo hit his ACC leading 20th and 21st bombs of the year, while Dave DiNatale went yard in the sixth and stroked the game winner in the top of the ninth, tying him with Alonzo with four RBI on the day.

The Canes were clutch several times, rallying for runs with two outs. A three-run third inning came on the heels of a DiNatale ground out and a Yasmani Grandal foul out. Blake Tekotte roped a single, behind 1-2 in the count and Jemile Weeks drove him home with a two-strike triple. A batter later, Alonzo went yard.

A similar scenario in the fifth with Grandal and Tekotte going down 1 and 2. Weeks worked the count to 3-2 and walked before Alonzo stroked another, giving the Canes two runs with two outs.

In the seventh, another two-out rally as DiNatale hit a two run shot and a batter later Grandal sent his lone hit of the day over the center field wall. Tekotte bunted his way to first, stole second and third and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

9 of Miami's 15 runs were scored with two outs -and still level seven on base.

Georgia Tech isn't the caliber of team Miami will see in a Super Regional or in Omaha, should they get there - but that's not the point. The style of baseball played against the Yellow Jackets is the key here. Clutch hits. Going yard multiple times. Several two-out rallies.

All that said, this was hardly a flawless game and there are several things these Canes need to clean up before the regionals. Giving up 17 hits to Georgia Tech is unacceptable in post-season play.

Eric Erickson was worked for nine hits and responsible for five runs in 3.1 innings, while David Gutierrez gave up four hits and three runs in two innings pitched. Kyle Bellamy was rocked for a homer on his second pitch and gave up two runs in 1.2 innings pitched, while Carlos Gutierrez gave up two of his own in his two innings on the mound.

All four Miami pitchers combined only amassed six strikeouts and need to step up their game as the postseason continues.

The Canes weren't flawless on Thursday, but one stat sticks out more than the rest - the 'W' in the win column as well as the fact a ninth inning rally proved to be the difference maker. As for credit where credit is due, C. Gutierrez gave up one hit in the bottom of the ninth and solid defense got Miami out of the inning, securing the win.

Next up, a N.C. State team Miami hasn't seen since mid-March, where the Canes rolled 12-5 in game won and squeaked out a 2-1 game two win before falling 11-10 in the series finale.

The fourth-seeded Wolfpack have come on strong, smacking up Clemson 10-0 today after falling 10-9 to Georgia Tech earlier in the tourney. They went 7-5 down the stretch, but scored 19 runs in two games in Jacksonville.

While Miami is the team to beat, no remaining ACC game is a gimmie and these Canes still have some glaring flaws as the post season rolls on. The Canes and Wolfpack are battling it out for a slot in Sunday's title game, so expect some fireworks. 

Tomorrow will tell if Thursday's comeback was a sign of things to come, or simply a great rally with a lot on the line.

Top-seeded Miami beats up on Clemson, 7-1

What better way to get the losing taste out of one's mouth, than to punch another team in their's.

The ACC Tourney kicked off yesterday in Jacksonville and the top-seeded Miami Hurricanes whooped up on the Clemson Tigers to the tune of, 7-1.

ACC Freshman of the Year, Chris Hernandez was dazzling on the mound Wednesday. Aside from moving to 11-0 on the season, Hernandez struck out ten and only allowed four hits and no walks - improving his streak of 27 two-thirds innings without allowing a base on balls.

The Canes' bats started waking up a bit in the opening round, but have a way's to go if Miami is going to win this thing, get through the regonials and find their way back to Omaha. The Tigers were an eight seed in the tourney and Miami had already swept the series this year and has now taken 6 of their past 8 against Clemson. Yesterday's win was absolutely expected.

Mark Sobolewski led the charge with a two run double in the first inning and was the only Cane with multiple hits in Wednesday's rout. Catcher Yasmani Grandal hit a solo homer in the second inning and both teams remained scoreless the next three innings, until Miami added three more runs, forcing starting pitcher D.J. Mitchell to the bench. Clemson scored its lone run in the top of the ninth to avoid the shutout.

A few other notable tidbits; Miami had three double plays in Wednesday's contest and yesterday's win was the Canes first opening round victory at the ACC tourney, sporting an 0-3 record before beating the Tigers.

Next up, Georgia Tech at 5pm EDT today. The Canes not only swept the Yellow Jackets this season, but put a pretty series hurting on them, winning 10-5, 15-5 and 9-3 back in April. Then again, the Miami bats were smokin' a month ago so it'll be interesting to see how today's contest plays out. A Canes victory should be in the cards, but will it be a similar drubbing to April's sweep? Tune in to find out.

Saturday's contest against N.C. State starts at 1pm EDT an Sunday's ACC Championship is 1pm EDT as well, where Miami will most likely face two-seed Florida State or three-seed North Carolina.

#2 Tar Heels take series from #1 Canes...

Did this team peak too soon? Are the bats going cold at the worst possible time? Or did the Miami Hurricanes simply lose a close series against a quality opponent?

The online message boards aren't for the faint of heart right now. Canes baseball enthusiasts and die hards are up in arms right now after Miami failed to take the series against North Carolina - at home - in the season finale.

43-8 overall and 23-5 in conference play. This was the first series the Canes have lost all year - to the second-ranked team, the final weekend of the college baseball regular season - and some are already pressing the 'panic' button.

There is an ounce of merit regarding the panic. Bats are going surprisingly cold and a once invincible pitching staff is now showing chinks in the armor. Miami doesn't appear to currently be the juggernaut today that they were a few weeks back.

That said, the Canes deserve the benefit of the doubt until they're sent packing and this season comes to a close. Great teams all have a lull. Be it for an inning, a game, a series or for a few weeks. No one stays on top forever and complacency instinctively sets in. How could these Canes not have read their own press the past few months? How could they not finally lose a series at some point during the season? 

For any innings or at bats the Canes crapped away this past weekend, it more than makes up for the ones they stole throughout the season. Miami's 12-11 down to the wire loss on Saturday was eerily reminiscent of a down to the wire Sunday win in Tallahassee weeks back. 

With the series tied, Miami had a commanding 11-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth - knowing the game was set to be shortened due to a travel curfew. The Noles stormed back in the final two innings, scoring six unanswered but falling short (11-10) on a called third strike.

Fast forward to this past Saturday, with the series tied and the home team again falling after a superb rally. This time, it was Miami down in the bottom of the fifth - 12-4. The Canes tore off 7 unanswered, brought it to 12-11 and with runners on the corners and two outs, Dennis Rabin went down swinging.

Is this fan base really going to sum up a 51-game regular season on one pitch? If Raben makes contact and drives in two runs, does a 13-12 victory have everyone confident that a National Championship is imminent? 

Personally, I like to see long-time, top-ranked teams stumble down the stretch - or at least get a scare. If it happens to your team in college football, you're screwed. Baseball? A whole different ball of wax.

The North Carolina series will either prove to be Miami's wake up call - or their demise. Time will tell. Either way,  it's no time to give up on a squad that's busted it's collective ass all season.

The ACC tourney kicks off Wednesday and Miami faces a Clemson team they swept 3-0 a few months back -- 6-4, 15-5 and 7-6, at Clemson. Thursday Miami gets Georgia Tech and on Saturday, a showdown with N.C. State. Win the A Bracket and top-seeded Miami most likely gets a showdown with either #2 Florida State or #3 North Carolina; the two biggest thorns in their side this season.

The regular season is behind the Canes and a shot a redemption against some familiar ACC foes is there for the taking. From there, the Regionals and Super Regionals - where Miami will play host in both. String together a few wins and Miami is Omaha bound, with the season finale disappointment way in the rearview mirror.

It's time to prioritize. That goes for this team and this fan base. It's way too early to write these Canes off and say they peaked too soon or went cold at the wrong time. That said, there's no more time for this team to 'find itself'. The post-season is upon us and Miami needs to build upon this series loss and prep for the ACC Tourney, Regionals, Super Regionals and hopefully the College World Series. 

Gainesville Spin City for the Urban Myth...

The Palm Beach post ran a story this morning on Urban Meyer, regarding all the off-the-field nonsense the dirty Florida Gators have been getting themselves into as of late.

The same Gators who so moronically love to chastise the Miami Hurricanes with their 'Thug U' and unclever 'scUM' type razzings, even with the shoe on the other foot for years now.

According to the piece, a whopping SIXTEEN Gators football players have been involved in off-the-field incidents since Meyer took over in 2005.

Meyer's excuse for the players' actions? NCAA rules prohibiting him from getting to know players well enough during the recruiting process.

Teflon Urban went on to say, "The NCAA is pulling us off the recruiting process. I'm not allowed to go out and I'm not allowed to text message, but I'm trying to find out (about players) the best I can."

Ahh, yes, what better way to get to know potential talent than through the impersonal art of text messaging early morning messages like, "it's a great day to be a Florida Gator." I'm sure a player's response would be, "That's right, coach. Can't wait to get to town and tear your program to shreds with my thuggish behavior."

Amazing, all of these off-the-field incidents could've been avoided if Meyer could text away and keep recruits in his Fab Five.

Meyer boldly strutted into Florida boasting he'd only take the "top 1% of the 1%". If those 16 troublemakers represent the 1% of 1%, I'd hate to see what UiF would have on their roster if Meyer wasn't such a stellar judge of character.

All Meyer has done this past decade is prove he's a "win at all costs" type of guy, climbing that ladder and looking for the next big gig. Two years at Bowling Green before the Utah gig opened up and two years at Utah before Florida lured him away.

Meyer was offered the Notre Dame gig that Charlie Weis eventually took - which is where he'd have gone if he were really about the "1% of the 1%". I'm no Irish backer, but safe to say academic standards will prevent UND from taking kids that would easily find their way onto the Gators' roster.

Meyer spent 1995-2000 coaching wide receivers at Notre Dame and it should've been a dream opp for a former Irish coach, but not for The Myth, who was obviously familiar with their inability to recruit the same types of players some of the other football factories are able to.

Let's also remember Meyer's desire to discipline by convenience as his 'win at all costs' approach was proven in the fall of 2006, en route to Florida's second school championship.

Jarvis Moss failed a drug test before Florida's annual showdown with South Carolina, but he'd serve that suspension a week later against I-AA Western Carolina. The Gators beat the Cocks, 17-16, in a showdown where Moss blocked an extra point and a potential game-winning field goal.

Last season, Tony Joiner was another veteran Gator and important cog in the system that was allowed to play when he should've rode the pine. Joiner broke into a tow yard to retrieve his girlfriend's car the week Florida was headed to Baton Rouge to take on the LSU Tigers.

Meyer vowed Joiner wouldn't practice with the team until, "I find out everything'' yet days later was suiting up for Florida's biggest game of 2007. Amazing how a busy coach preparing for a huge game had time to wear the hat of investigative journalist and solve the Joiner case before the weekend - not to mention Florida law enforcement officials working tirelessly to get felony charges dropped.

Jamar Hornsby is the reason Meyer and the Gators are again under fire. Hornsby has been booted off the team after stealing the credit card and using it for six months. The owner of the card, a co-ed who was killed in a motorcycle accident last fall with a Gator walk-on laying down the bike and killing himself as well. Hornsby admitted to copping the card when helping the girl's family empty out her apartment.

Florida faithful applaud Meyer for cracking the whip, but let's be honest - who the hell was Hornsby in the grand scheme of things? A back up safety with five total tackles last season? We're not exactly talking about a seasoned vet like Moss or Joiner. The kid was highly touted coming out of high school, but you can cut 'potential'. It's tougher to get rid of a proven vet - something Meyer would never do.

A few other 1%-ers who've tainted Meyer's legacy since 2005? Ronnie Wilson (Battery, discharging a firearm), Avery Atkins (assault on a woman, drugs), Marcus Thomas (kicked off team for drug use), Brandon James (drug possession), Dorian Monroe (felony removal of parking boot) and Dustin Doe (arrested for assault), to name a few.

Lest not forget Dee Webb, Andre Caldwell and Reggie Lewis tooling around in an SUV loaded with $60,000 in cash as well as AKs and machine guns.

Florida isn't the only program dealing with these issues. Welcome to College Football 2008 and the sense of entitlement that many young NCAA athletes feel is deserved.

What's garbage here is Meyer's attempt at shifting the blame and acting like he's something other than he is. The Myth can talk a good game and give his "1% of the 1%" quotes all day long, but what is done to back that up - other than kicking a back up safety or a few other non-factors off the squad? Where was that 'tough love' when it was time to handle Moss or Joiner the same way - and moreso, why does the national media continue to give the slimeball a free pass?

Sitting a guy for a quarter, making him run laps or stripping the captain's "C" off his chest for a few weeks isn't going to teach a kid right from wrong. Maybe in 1958, but not these days when you're dealing with players with character issues.

Meyer is an egomaniac, a job hopper and a user that will tell a kid anything to sell him on coming to Florida. Most Gator fans don't want to hear that right now, as he brought home a title 2 seasons ago - but the truth will surface, in due time. I don't think there are any folk out there who believe Meyer is going to be a Gator lifer. That NFL will come-a-callin' soon enough and 3 or 4-loss seasons aren't going to cut it in Gainesville after winning a ring year two.

A lack of text messaging and getting to know recruits doesn't seem to be the case with a slew of other programs. How many issues has Randy Shannon had since taking over at Miami and following the rules? Conversely, how many kids have gotten the boot and had scholarships revoked for not being character guys, part of the Larry Coker regime and not welcome when it became Shannon's show?

James Bryant, DajLeon Farr, Rhyan Anderson, Chris Perry, Doug Wiggins and Andrew Johnson, to name a few. Guys detrimental to the team's future and with their own set of issues - they got the boot - even if the Canes were lacking depth at certain positions. Shannon has proven he's a no-nonsense type of guy and that character is more important than winning. There is a way to win with character. Give Shannon time and he'll prove it.

In the interim, keep your eye on the debacle in Gainesville as that circus show plays out and the media chooses to focus on the lone good kid - Tim Tebow, a.k.a. Mr. Everything Right With College Athletics - and will refuse to focus on the 16 troublemakers who have run amok on Meyer's watch.

And for the Gators who love to drop the 'Thug U' crap on Canes fans, make note that these days you can't spell scU.M. without 'Urban Meyer'....

CoachesHotSeat.com calls for Canes to go 3-8...

According to the lame, aforementioned website, Randy Shannon should simply pack it in and not even have his Miami Hurricanes play the 2008 season. The pot stirrers at CoachesHotSeat.com are predicting a 3-8 campaign for the second year head coach, with wins over the three weakest teams on the schedule.

Of course anyone who can do some quick math realizes Miami is playing 12 games this year, so the 3-8 headline is rather generous. C.H.S. actually believes the Canes will go 3-9 this coming year.

Despite a top-ranked recruiting class, a new veteran defensive coordinator in the recently hired Bill Young and four of last year's seven losses being a play or two from going the other way - C.H.S. still thinks The U will be two games worse this season than in 2007. 

Shannon is #15 with a bullet, regarding his spot on the hot seat - despite inheriting the worst Miami team since the late 1970s and barely getting a chance to right the ship in this "we wanted it fixed five minutes ago" society. 

C.H.S. has Miami beating Charleston Southern, Duke and Central Florida this upcoming season and losing their other eight contests. Nothing like some unbiased journalism from a site who begins their column stating, "We have to admit, we don't know a lot about Randy Shannon."

Ahh, nothing like a journalism community who refuses to do their homework and just throws everything at the wall, hoping something sticks. So much easier to drive traffic to your site being 'edgy' and calling for Miami's first 3-8 season since 1977 instead of an attempt at optimism and reading up a little bit on the Canes second-year leader. 

For starters, what say the brain-trust at C.H.S. rewinds back to last September and check's out a real writer's take on Shannon; Gary Smith of Sports Illustrated.

Most missed Smith's poignant piece, written days after Appalachian State's upset of Michigan, which nabbed the cover. Those in that category, click here and take ten minutes to get a real breakdown of the man leading these Canes.

5-7 was an aberration. A blip on the radar. That sound you heard? The legacy of Larry Coker finally bottoming out. 

Just because the six-year head coach got the boot in November 2006, doesn't mean a half decade of his style and imprint would disappear because a new sheriff was in town. The changing of the guard was that final rung on the way down, just before rock bottom. The ascension begins fall 2008.

Shannon failed year one, but has spent every moment since making the right decisions regarding the future. 

The firings of Tim Walton and Marquis Mosely were a strong starting point.  Shannon proved his loyalty to the program and winning ways by making those tough decisions after one season on the job.

A lesser coach gives his defensive coordinator and wide receivers coach a mulligan in an effort to be PC. A leader knows when it's time to cut bait and rid of his weakest links. 

Many called for a lesser paid unknown to take over and run Shannon's old defense. Hardly the case. Instead, Shannon reels in Bill Young of Kansas. A seasoned DC who's always done a lot with a little, brings an aggressive style of play and is as hungry for his first national championship as his boss and his players. 

Miami product Aubrey Hill takes over coaching wide receivers. More proven than Mosely and with local ties that'll help him recruit and rebuild one of most maligned positions of recent Canes teams.

With the staff in place, Shannon recruited his ass off and put up his fence around the Tri-City area - just as promised. Bringing back 'The State of Miami' gave the Canes a top-ranked class and reason for optimism entering spring ball.

One doesn't have to be a Miami bleeding heart to beg the question; had C.H.S. done their due diligence on Shannon's accomplishments since season's end and read up a little on his character, game plan and approach regarding rebuilding - how could they logically call for 3-8? Who really believes Miami will take another step back after 5-7 based on what Shannon is showing? 

Can the redshirt freshman Robert Marve be considered anything but an upgrade from Kirby Freeman or Kyle Wright? 

Can the newbie really do much worse than a 1-of-14 performance in a 19-16 OT loss? When rallying back from a 27-0 halftime deficit, does he really have more than four interceptions in his arsenal?

Are the Canes really worse off with a talented crop of freshman receivers than guys like Lance Leggett, who never reached their potential?

It's not time to preach about an overnight return to the glory days; but it's alright to start believing again. Things are looking up, despite what some misinformed folk at a no-name site are saying. 

Those in the know. Those who follow this program have seen the cyclical nature of college football reward and punish Miami over the years. They know this isn't the first time the Canes are rising.

Shannon is following the blueprint of mentor, coach and friend, Jimmy Johnson and sharpened his recruiting skills under former boss Butch Davis. Randy has the blueprint. He knows how to right this ship and deserves a bit more credit than and 3-8 sophomore jinx and accusation of hovering on the hot seat.

Then again, outlandish predictions like that just make it all the much better when Miami turns things around... again. Just ask Alexander Wolff how that crow tasted after he called for The U to drop football. A few years later, four straight BCS games, title and a 34-game win streak - done the right way, with class and without the thugs that some recent champs have boasted.

Trashing the Canes is good business for sports sites and a way to drive traffic. Everyone loves to kick The U when it's down. Such is life. The believers just have to keep believing and enjoy the ride back to the top. It's coming, despite was the uninformed are telling you.

The system fails Sean Taylor and rewards killers...

Way to get it wrong again, legal system.

Prosecutors have decided against the death penalty regarding the four scumbags charged with the murder of Miami Hurricane safety great, Sean Taylor because the accused shooter was a minor whent the killing took place.

Even if Eric Rivera was 17-years and a handful of months when he cowardly shot the Pro Bowl safety in his bedroom, it seems moronic that the others directly involved cannot be tried as adults because the minor pulled the trigger - unless they were 'directly' responsible. Co-defendants can't be subject to the death penalty if the alleged shooter isn't.

Let's get this straight - Rivera was man enough to take a life, but due to a legal loophole, not man enough to receive a death sentence for doing so.

Pardon my French, but the irony in that is utter bulls**t and downright pathetic. Is there really that big a difference between 17-years and seven months versus 18-years of age? Rivera is legally a man now, but wasn't last November when the thug and his cronies broke into Taylor's home, with the intent to rob him blind?

Seeing these four scumbags pay the ultimate price wouldn't bring Taylor back. I'm not even sure how I feel about Capital Punishment as general rule, but I do know that hearing "life in prison" for these four selfish S.O.B.'s doesn't seem like justice to me.

Rivera and crew will pay when they finally meet their maker, but for now I pray their jail sentence shows them just how rotten this world can really be if you take a life and choose the path they've chosen. I

hope for them the death sentence would've been the easy way out and that every moment they rot in jail is a living hell for them. They deserve to forever be haunted by the memory of what they did and for taking the beloved Sean Taylor from those who needed him here.

Miami Baseball takes series at Virginia Tech...

Two of three ain't bad, but when you're the top-ranked team in the land and your road opponent enters the series 20-28, with only four conference wins - a sweep should've been in the cards.

The #1 Miami Hurricanes rolled into Blacksburg, VA this weekend for their final road series of the regular season. After smacking up the Hokies 12-4 in Friday' night's contest, the Canes dropped the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, 7-6 and then battled back to a 9-2 victory in the series finale.

Many are being critical of the now 41-6 Canes, but Saturday's early loss should get this team refocused as it enters a very crucial point of the season. Miami hadn't lost since April 23rd; a mid-week tussle with city-rival Florida International, 6-3. Before that, the Canes dropped one on April 19th at Florida State.

No complaints regarding these winning ways, but sometimes an unexpected loss to a lesser opponent is just what the doctor ordered. I cover this program from 3,000 miles away so I have no clue where this team or these kids are mentally. That said, I've seen enough sports to realize that great teams can sometimes lose their focus on some level and a loss can bring things back into perspective.

Miami takes on North Florida this Tuesday night and from there, a three game homestand against #2 North Carolina. The Canes take on the Heels from Thursday to Saturday and the following Wednesday, head to Jacksonville for the ACC Tournament.

If the Canes were going to absorb that sixth loss somewhere, better this weekend than anytime between the 13th and 25th, with all the money on the table. Miami won their 12th straight series this weekend, which is the lone goal of any road trip. Get over Saturday's loss and gear up for the 'real' season ahead.

Breaking down CFN's Miami Hurricanes '08 analysis...

CollegeFootballNews.com broke down the 2008 version of the Miami Hurricanes earlier today. Their Miami preview was pretty solid, but being that CFN has a slew of teams to analyze and only so much time and manpower to do so... I figured I'd take a stab at things and break down their breakdown even further.

The CFN opening: "How patient can Miami be? While there's a good nucleus of players to build around, like RB Javarris James, it could be tempting to throw several true freshmen from this year's great recruiting class to the wolves. Check out the CFN Preview of a Hurricane team that should be better, but should still be a year away."

Hard to disagree that the Canes are at least a year away, despite the beliefs of some of the uber diehards. Miami did reel in a top-ranked class this past February and Randy Shannon has definitely righted the ship, but until the depth returns Miami is still going to have some ups and downs.

A week or so ago I broke down the 2004 tussel with Louisvile, where Miami railled to a 41-38 comeback victory. If you look at the names on that roster, the Canes were loaded and two-deep at some positions. Compare that to 2001 where Miami was damn near three-deep in several spots, it's all a far cry from 2008 where the Canes simply don't have the depth to make a legit run and beat some of the bigger name teams on the schedule.

Sure, anything can happen and that's why they play the game... but it'd take a near flawless season by the Canes, who'd have to remain injury-free, hit the ground running regarding the new youth movement and pull a few upsets to gain the momentum needed to become anything close to a contender in 2008.

This season is all about improvement, valuable playing time for younger players, winning the close games Miami has dropped the past few years and proving the Canes are on the right track, in an effort to haul in another big time class in 2009.

"Although this latest recruiting class has brought a spark and some rare positive national pub back to the Miami program, it’s not likely to have a profound impact on the Hurricanes’ win total in 2008."

Gotta love the "rare positive national pub" jab. Typical. Moving on, I slightly disagree with this class not having a "profound impact on the Hurricanes' win total in 2008." Miami dropped seven games last year. Losses to Oklahoma, Virginia Tech and Virginia were utter beatdowns with no way to spin positively.

That said, losses to North Carolina, Georgia Tech, NC State and Boston College were all winnable games. A 27-0 halftime deficit was the difference-maker in a 33-27 loss at UNC. An inability to stop Tashard Choice on the ground in the second half gave GT the 17-14 win. A 1 of 14 performance by then-quarterback Kirby Freeman caused The U to fall in OT, 19-16 to NCST and even the 28-14 season finale at BC was 14-14 with 11:21 left in the contest.

5-7 could've, should've and would've been 9-3 if last year's team had a little more depth, experience and heart. With a lot of the 'wrong' players gone and the right players in place, Miami can grow leaps and bounds this upcoming season. The ACC crown is still a year away, but winning most of last year's losing efforts is a reality.

Offensively: "The last time Miami started a freshman under center, Bernie Kosar was a teenager on campus in the 1980s. It’ll happen again this year, as Robert Marve tries to reverse a recent trend of inconsistency at quarterback and a last place ACC finish in passing. He’ll be surrounded by 10 players with something to prove, particularly RB Javarris James and WR Sam Shields. James is looking to bounce back from an injury-riddled sophomore season and a drop in production. Shields has a world-class blend of speed, burst, and leaping ability, but needs to put it all together to finally reach his enormous potential."

Ten players have something to prove, but it all starts and finishes with Robert Marve. End of story. Miami has been a non-factor offensively since Ken Dorsey rode out of town with a 38-2 record.

True, ol' Brock Berlin had his share of big time wins while at The U and wound up 5-0 against Florida and Florida State -- but he's also the gunslinger who didn't sling in a 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech, a 10-6 loss to Tennessee, a putrid second half collapse against Clemson (L, 24-17 OT) and another big time faceplant to end the 2004 season with an ACC title on the line (L, 16-10 to the Hokies).

Marve needs to be "the man" and needs to hit the ground running. The Canes will go as far as their quarterback takes them. Period. Yes, Sam Shields needs to be the wideout everyone expects and the frosh and soph wide outs need to step up, but Marve needs to look more Dorseyesque than Kyle-Wronged.

A healthy Javarris James and beefed up Graig Cooper are going to take some of the pressure off the passing attack, while a more experienced offensive line needs to prove their worth.

Defense: "The Cane defense will be looking to rebound from a November collapse that saw it sink to an un-Miami-like 10th place ACC finish in scoring D. While LB Colin McCarthy and DE Eric Moncur will be the catalysts, new coordinator Bill Young will also be weaving in a handful of younger players, including blue-chip true freshmen Marcus Forston, Arthur Brown, and Sean Spence. Keep an eye on sophomore DE Allen Bailey, a converted linebacker who has torn it up in the offseason and possesses a ridiculous combination of size, speed, and strength."

The real key defensively has less to do with the players and more to do with the head honcho pulling the strings. Bill Young is your difference-maker here. He's as important to this defense as Marve is to the offense. Shannon ran the defense from 2001-2006 and there's no mystery why 2007 was the abortion of season as it was; Tim Walton. Walton didn't have the pedigree to run Miami's defense. He couldn't improvise or adjust on the fly and the Canes paid dearly. Most notably in the 48-0 loss to Virginia where the Cavs seems to run the same few offensive plays and the Canes never found a way to stop them.

The upgrade from Walton to Young is the difference between a Yugo and a muscle car. Young is a wily veteran who's made his name on gameplanning for each week's particular opponents and employing the blitz. Young might already have more talent in Miami than he had in just over half a decade in Kansas. The Canes team speed and Young's scheming are going to make this a completely different defense than witnessed in 2007.

And yes, names like Marcus Forston, Arthur Brown and Sean Spence are going to be immediate impact players. Colin McCarthy and Eric Moncur have to pick up where they left off last year and they have to get better with this addition of newer, yet raw, talent. Allen Bailey is going to be an utter freak this season and will be a household name by year's end. No doubt.

Schedule: The Canes will know just how much better they've gotten this off-season in a big hurry. After a warm-up against Charleston Southern, road dates at Florida and Texas A&M could either set the tone for the season or show just how far the program still has to go. On the flip side, the big Coastal showdown against Virginia Tech is at home, missing Clemson and Boston College from the Atlantic, and getting Florida State in Miami are all tremendous breaks. Closing up with three road dates (Virginia, Georgia Tech and NC State) in the final four, with the home game against the Hokies, isn't a plus.

One has to almost pray a hurricane warning is in effect September 6th when Miami is slated to go to Gainesville. This will be the first time in the past six meetings that A) the Canes aren't ranked and B) that the Gators will be the higher ranked team. There was a formula to Miami's six-game win-streak against Florida and that's not the case in 2008. A road game with a freshman QB on one side of the ball and a Heisman winner on the other also doesn't bode well.

The Canes had a similar experience last year getting #4 Oklahoma on the road the second week of the season and we all remember how that played out (L, 51-13). That said, it didn't truly "set the tone" for 2007. The Canes could've absorbed the out of conference loss and moved forward.

The true tone-setter was a 24-14 win against Duke where Miami nursed - and almost blew - a 17-14 lead with upwards of three minutes remaining. If the Canes struggled against the Blue Devils, how would Miami fare the rest of the way conference-wise? How about 2-6 -- with the other win, an inexplicable upset at Florida State.

Wins against Florida or Texas A&M would be great feathers in a young team's cap, but the tone-setter is North Carolina on September 27th. Earn revenge for last season, get to 1-0 in ACC play and gear up for the annual showdown with Florida State the following week.

The home schedule is favorable, but Miami has three road games in November - @Virginia, @ Georgia Tech and @ NC State. Sandwiched in there, a home game against Virginia Tech.

This Miami team will have to actually get BETTER as the year goes on and not backslide like they did in 2007. Games in Gainesville and College Station can literally be thrown out the window as long as this team is ready for ACC play.

The Rest: CFN says James is the best offensive player - I like Cooper. I think the added weight and explosiveness are the difference. James will be much better this year, but I think Coop is the more special player.

Defensively CFN gives the nod to McCarthy, but I like Moncur. Defensive line is the key this season and Moncur needs to be in 2007 what Calais Campbell should've been in 2007. Pressuring opposing quarterbacks and stuffing the run at the line will take the pressure off the linebackers and secondary. Moncur needs a monster season.

Everyone's in agreement that the November 13th match up against Virginia Tech is the game of the year. The ACC could be on the line and Miami will have nine games under their belt by that point of the season. We'll all know by mid-November if this team has jelled or not. This game could mean everything if the Canes have come together or mean little if Miami stumbles in 4-5.

CFN calls the season a 'success' if Miami goes 8-4 and returns to the postseason - and that's the magic number in my book, as well. Eight wins is doable with this home schedule and OOC match ups. But it's also not a gimmie when coming off of 5-7 and some of the shellackings the Canes took last season.

As successful season is one that gives everyone hope for a legit run in 2009. To do that, it'll take the Canes overachieving instead of underachieving. Marve needs to get Miami one step closer back to being Quarterback U. Receivers need to step up and keep progressing - which is a lot considering guys like Lance Leggett and Ryan Moore actually regressed during their tenure at The U.

Guys like Shields and James need to reach their potential, while younger guys need to have an immediate impact.

Defensively, Young needs to be as good as advertised and truly put his fingerprints all over that side of the football. His players need to be quick learners and Miami needs to set the tone early on, instead of simply "reacting" to what other offenses throw their way.

Some other not-so-fun stats that need to change? Fourth quarter scoring. Gone are the days of holding up 'four fingers' and owning the final period of play. Miami needs to take that back, pronto. Last season the Canes were outscored 112-61 in the fourth en route to seven losses.

Regarding third down conversions, opponents were 67 of 174 (39%)and Miami was 61 of 167 (31%). The Canes needs to wake up on offense and shut 'em down on defense.

All in all, a good enough outlook from CFN. Now we'll see how fair other publications prove to be as summer is near.

Canes Baseball remains on a roll...

Miami Hurricanes baseball has sort of fallen through the cracks blog-wise the past week or so and I apologize. With the snoozer series against the likes of St. Mary's (the Canes swept, obviously) it's sort of been a quiet week for baseball.

Of course that all changes this weekend with the final road finale at Virginia Tech, a midweek game against North Florida and then the final homestand, against No. 2 North Carolina.

The next seven games are big time for the now 39-5, top-ranked Canes. Regional berths are on the line after the ACC Tournament (begins May 21st) and Miami needs to keep a stranglehold on that top-ranking.

Tune in this weekend for coverage of the Virginia Tech series and hold on to your hats next weekend as we could see a #1 vs. #2 match up at The Light and a preview of things to come in the postseason.