Marve: Transfer requested. Request granted.

A crazy 72 hours in Canestown, each new turn crazier than the next.

Many thought they saw it all when Miami's coaching staff pissed away the final 2:41 minutes of the Emerald Bowl -18 plays amassing 17 yards, blowing the final timeout and utter chaos on the sidelines - with the game on the line.

A day and half later, offensive coordinator Patrick Nix is released and message boards light up like a Christmas tree. Knee-jerk reactions. Insults hurled. Armchair coaches quick to tell you what they'd have done, pretty much chastising Randy Shannon for continuing to exist.

Before the dust could settle regarding Nix, Robert Marve stole the spotlight and today's headlines, officially requesting permission to transfer from the University of Miami.

Marve's departure isn't a surprise, though the drama surrounding it is. Names being dragged through the mud soap opera-style. Lines being drawn in the dirt. A situation that didn't have to turn ugly officially has.

Eugene Marve granted a slew of interviews today, letting anyone within earshot know that his son got a raw deal. He painted Junior as the victim, Shannon as the villian and has turned the focus on himself by taking the low road, pouring his heart out for the Miami Herald... and anyone with a mic.

For those who want the short version... Robert is headed elsewhere after Miami granted his release. Marve cannot transfer to (1) an in-state program, (2) and ACC program or (3) and SEC program, which is proving to be the sticking point. Rumors swirled for weeks that Marve could end up at Florida, Tennessee or LSU. If Shannon has his way, Marve will end up at none of the three.

Not allowing Marve to transfer to a Florida school or a conference rival makes complete sense, but the SEC is a head-scratcher. That doesn't happen without reason.

If there is more to that story, papa Marve isn't sharing. His one-sided version of this story paints Shannon as a big ol' meany, out to do nothing more than ruin Junior's career. The Marves clsim to want the best for their son and lay no claim to any wrongdoing.

The rumor mill says Mr. Marve and/or Junior's high school coach Robert Weiner, did some behind the scenes recon work Seems there's been some talk with folks in Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa and/or Knoxville, gauging the interest level regarding the freshman QB.

The heart may have been in the right place, but the head knows better and this is an NCAA violation. The elder Marve is starting to look like the ultimate stage parent, while Weiner simply can't let go and is trying to meddle regarding the career of his protegee, who graduated Plant High over two and a half years ago.

If all or any of the above proves true, Shannon has reason to be miffed. Blocking and SEC transfer isn't the opposite of turning the other cheek, but it fits his 'tough love' approach and sends a message that the University of Miami isn't playing any games.

Eugene Marve warns other recruits to pay attention to the treatment of his son. If they're smart, they'll instead focus on the mistakes of his son. Had Robert stayed out of trouble the past 18 months, no one is having this conversation today and Shannon's hand isn't forced by a player's disgruntled family.

Randy-haters are using all this to fuel their argument that the second-year head coach isn't on the right track, blaming their leader instead of the former quarterback who turned his back on the program and bailed on his commitment.

When does anyone remember a first-year quarterback requesting a transfer after starting 11 of 13 games? A perfect 13-for-13 had Marve not smashed a car mirror, missed four classes and continued to put self in front of team.

Anyone painting Shannon as the bad guy, reevaluate your processing skills. That, or quit your gig and earn a living as a defense attorney.

In this case, the plaintiff, Miami's second-year head coach. A former player, assistant and current head coach that's given 20 of his 42 years on this earth to the University of Miami.

The defendant, a first-year player who was originally Bama Bound, yet flinched at the final hour. Partly because Nick Saban took over, partly because he and his family were sold on Shannon.

Over the past year and a half, Marve showed his immaturity. A busted car mirror and run from the cops summer 2007 and this fall, benched for skipping class/showing up late. As the quarterback and leader of this team, looking to secure the starting job, Marve never got his priorities straight, on the field or off.

Instead of returning to prove he's "the guy", Marve chose to turn tail and run - again putting self over team. 11 starts to the 2 of Jacory Harris and Marve felt slighted. Fifty more attempts than the true freshman, yet claims of being 'disrespected'.

A question for anyone blaming Shannon, where does personal accountability play into this equation? How is this on the disciplinarian instead of the disciplinee? One one side, a coach who lives and dies with this program and has for half his life, versus a kid who made his share of mistakes and never truly owned up to them?

Marve broke the mirror and ran from the cops. Marve showed up late or skipped enough classes to warrant a bowl suspension. Marve only mustered up 9 touchdowns to 13 interceptions, never separating himself from a true freshman with one less year in the system.

Marve felt he earned the starting job with 212 yard, 2 touchdown, 1 interception performance at Texas A&M. The rout of the Aggies proved the high point of Marve's short career.

Whatever was 'earned' at aTm, Marve gave away when he regressed the next three weeks. Seven interceptions in his next three outings and a 1-2 stretch of football.

A potential game-winning touchdown sailed a few inches high in a loss to North Carolina. Pull ahead in the final seconds and Marve would've officially had 'his' moment and a legit claim as full-time starter. Instead, a 2-of-8, 6-yard, one interception performance in the first half against Florida State the following Saturday and a three-interception outing against lowly Central Florida a week later.

Marve proved he was serviceable, but never that he was a star in the making. While he proved to be a gamer, he never looked like a student of the game. Marve isn't polished and needed to be coached up, which proved to be another task Nix couldn't handle. Though Harris is a true freshman, there seems to be better instinct. Checking at the line. Calling audibles. Looking off receivers and finding his second and third options.

Harris also earned some signature moments, be it a game-winning drive at Virginia or proving he was the spark in a second half comeback at Duke, with a four-touchdown, 35-point performance. Against Cal, Harris showed poise - thrust into his second start in a long-distance, supposed no-win bowl game.

There were boneheaded mistakes, but there was also no quit when Miami was down 14-0 in the early going. Mistakes can be fixed over time and through repetition. You're born with instincts and that innate desire to want it more than the other guy. Harris prove he has that. Marve never did. It may be deep within, but he got in his own way and as a result it was questioned.

Shannon stated on WQAM that he personally wishes Marve stuck around to compete. Regardless of all you just read above, so do I. In the short-term, the Canes were better with a Harris-Marve duo than without. Harris-Smith and Harris-Cook don't seem to breed the same level of confidence and hope. No disrespect to Cannon Smith and Taylor Cook, but neither beat out Marve, so it explains the current opinion.

The only ones who wanted out were the Marves. The best man is going to win the starting job. There is no popularity contest, despite popular belief.

If Shannon wants to stay employed, he needs to win ball games. Whoever puts him in the best decision to do so, that man in your starter and he needs to take care of business on and off the field. Your quarterback is your leader and what is your leader saying if he finds his way to the doghouse on two occasions in one season?

Robert, we hardly knew ye. In time, hopefully you grow into the quarterback Miami hoped you'd be. All things being equal, you're not that guy today. This rebuilding project is for a man, not a boy. Someone who is ready to roll up their sleeves and get dirty. Talking about leading the Canes - it makes for great headlines, but it means nothing if your actions prove otherwise.

As disappointing the Grove incident and bowl game suspension, you topped it with the decision to transfer. No desire to battle it out this spring, you waved the white flag, conceded and it appears you're looking for a ready-made type program already in the hunt, instead of rebuilding where you committed.

Worst of all, blame others instead of looking within. Coach is too hard to work with. Feelings of being disrespected and not given a fair shot, though you were the starter every game this year. (Except the two you got yourself suspended for.) All your answers to these problems lie in the mirror, #9.

The good news? You're a kid. You have a lifetime to get it right. The bad news? Only have two more years of eligibility to prove you can get it done on the football field. For what it's worth, good luck. I pulled for you as a Cane, but now you're a non-factor around here. As a supporter of The U, there are bigger things to focus on than the one who got away.

To the jaded portion of this fan base, before you rush to judgement, let this one settle in.

Only one person involved in this fiasco has the University of Miami's best interest in mind. He's the guy who's still here and the one who will work tirelessly to fix what his predecessor broke.

For everyone else in this production, it's completely personal.

The Patrick Nix Era comes to a close...

Whether he was 'let go', fired or his contract simply wasn't renewed, the Patrick Nix era is officially over in Miami. The Hurricanes finished 89th in total offense and are 12-13 since Nix took over calling offensive plays.

Of course this is only half the battle. Ridding the program of Nix is huge, but even bigger is his eventual replacement. Randy Shannon settled on Nix last time around - after Kevin Sumlin (Oklahoma), John McNulty (Rutgers), John Bond (Northern Illinois) and first choice Dirk Koetter turned the gig down.

According to the Miami Herald, Nix stated that he wanted to run a more wide-open offense than he was allowed to.

''There were obvious philosophical differences between coach Shannon and I in offense. I wanted to be a little bit more wide open -- no-huddle, spread out, go for it. And he wanted to be more two-back, conservative," said Nix. "It was a fine line in trying to balance the two and not that one is better than the other. It's just a different philosophy. Both ways can win, just different philosophies.'' 

Doesn't sound to me like 'different philosophies' was the difference as much as the fact Nix couldn't run a two-back offense. It also sounds like a one-sided parting shot by a now 'former' coach with one foot out the door. Saying he wanted to open it up more is oh so easy to do after the fact. Sounds to me like a man trying to save some face and making himself sound hireable regarding his next opportunity. ("Hey, it was me. It was the head coach. I really wanted to open things up. I didn't deserve to get fired.")

No huddle and a 'spread it out' offense definitely has a place in modern day college football, but at Miami everything goes through your running game. Always has, always will. 

At no point the past two years was Nix ever able to establish the run. Part of that can be blamed on poor offensive line play and banged up running backs. Still, Miami's ground game remained non-existent.

A lack of balance always plagued Nix, as did his predictability. Pounding it up the gut was the extent of his creativity, proving that running the ball didn't come naturally to Nix. The concept was foreign to him.

Nix's highlight games at UM were two solid offensive showings against Texas A&M, as well as a gadget play-filled second half against Florida State this past October. Down 24-3 at the half, Nix went to his grab bag of gimmicky plays and found some reverses and a halfback pass that resulted in a score. 

When it came to consistency and methodically moving the ball, Nix failed. Miami averaged 326 yards per game this season. Only thirty other Football Bowl Subdivision schools did worse. Regarding the 27 points per game average, Nix's Canes were 52nd of 119 schools.

Nix may say he wanted to run a more 'wide open' offense, but that doesn't mean he knew how to pull off the feat. I 'want' to be a rock star. I 'want' to see the Canes in the thick of things every year. Wanting and doing are two different things. 

Before folks get get caught up in Nix's coachspeak, remember the product you saw on the field the past few years. A complete lack of identity. Trying to run the ball one week. Direct snaps to the running back the next. A second half full of trick plays after a first half where nothing worked.

Nix and Shannon may have had different philosophies, but in the end the only thing proven - Nix couldn't make either philosophy work in over two years. That signals time for chance.

Next up, the hire of a new offensive coordinator. Curious to see how Randy plays this. Makes you wonder if someone is in mind. Whatever the case, there is no margin for error with this next hire. Nix was the Canes' fourth offensive coordinator hired in a four year span. Fifth, if you could co-coordinator Todd Berry, who was on board during the Rich Olson era... which was after the Dan Werner era... which took place after the Rob Chudzinski era.

Does Koetter get the heave-ho in Jacksonville and trek south, to the job he almost took two years ago this week? What about former Cane and the recently released Chudzinski? No longer at Cleveland, does Shannon put in the call to the man who was offensive coordinator when he was running the defense? Or is there an unknown Shannon has in mind?

Koetter still seems a viable option if things go south in Jax. A deal was in place two years ago but the Jags offer was one he couldn't refuse. Chud? Doubtful. Doesn't make sense for him to backslide and return to a place where he had some past glory. That's a career no-no.

Whatever the case, there's reason to take a deep breath tonight and appreciate what just took place. Two years on the job and Shannon has now canned a defensive coordinator and an offensive coordinator. Guys weren't getting it done and were quickly removed from the equation. Lesser head coaches would've stood by their men and simply hoped they'd come around. Randy knew better. Big move on his part and rumor has it a few more firings are coming. Stay tuned.

One parting thought... As frustrating as this rebuilding process can be at times, I truly wish no ill will on any of these coaches or players. Regarding Nix, he worked his ass off the past two years - as all coaches do. I realize that and for that, I thank him. That said, he didn't get the job done and when you fail at your day-to-day, you're let go. It's the nature of the game.

I truly wish he and his family the best and pray Team Nix lands on their feet.

Nix: Fired!

APNewsBreak: Miami fires offensive coordinator

By TIM REYNOLDS 

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Patrick Nix was fired Monday after two seasons as Miami's offensive coordinator, the first significant shakeup to the Hurricanes this offseason.

Nix packed up his office Monday evening after a brief meeting with Miami coach Randy Shannon.

"It's time to part ways, but I really enjoyed my time here," Nix told The Associated Press as he and his family prepared to leave the football complex for the final time. "I loved these players to death. I loved these coaches to death. But in the long run, it's probably better that we make this change."

Miami was 7-6 this season and sputtered at times offensively, yet showed improvement in some areas during the second half of the year. Ultimately, it wasn't enough to keep Nix in place.

Miami gives away Emerald Bowl...

The more experienced, senior-heavy Cal Bears threw their best at Miami on Saturday night in the Emerald Bowl. Literally and figuratively.

Sporting a Heisman-candidate-in-the-making and a few big plays, the Bears were still in a dogfight with a young, inexperienced bunch of Canes who traveled the span of three time zones and were in it until the final moments. Those who called for a Miami 'no show' were wrong. The Canes showed heart, but came up short - as young teams oft do.

For those who struggle to take any good from a loss, let's help you make sense of things.

Down 14-0 early in the second quarter, Miami could've folded. They didn't. An 80-yard touchdown drive started in the final moments of the first quarter and culminated with a nine-yard toss to LaRon Byrd on a fade route. Other highlights of the drive - a 41-yard completion to Leonard Hankerson and an 11-yard run by Harris on a 3rd and 8.

Harris also engineered a 69-yard scoring drive early in the third, tying the game 14-14 and breathing new life into the Canes. He finished an effective 25/41 for 194 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception, with a bum wing in his second career start.

The true freshman showed poise and promise, playing hurt after sustaining a shoulder injury late in the regular season finale at NC State. Bowl practice and preparation didn't allow Harris time to heal, yet he still came to play and made no excuses after the loss.

Harris proved he's "the guy" going into next spring. Regardless if Robert Marve stays or goes, #12 will be the next great Miami quarterback, in due time. The "it" factor is in full force.

There were some freshman mistakes - not sensing the blitz that caused the game changing fumble as well as not getting out of bounds on a run late on the final drive. Still, the upside is impossible to ignore.

Harris had a great outing against one of the better passing defenses in the game. All the talk about Cal's ballhawks swarming, Harris gave up one interception on the night and only once played like a rattled freshman. The kid has poise, good instinct and makes solid decisions.

This coaching staff, however, a little more suspect this post-season.

In time, few will remember the final score of this third-tier bowl game. Conversely, every fan will remember the incompetence with 2:41 to play, down seven and with a shot at a game tying score.

Think back to 'the drive' at Virginia. Remember the amazing comeback? So fluid, effective and well-executed? Against Cal, the exact opposite.

With the ball on the Miami 32-yard line and one time out remaining, offensive coordinator Patrick Nix called for a handoff to Lee Chambers. On 2nd and 11, the ball finally snapped with 2:09 remaining. With time of the essence, upwards of half a minute is wasted.

A five-yard pass to Chris Zellner makes it 3rd and 6 from the 37-yard line. More time squandered, only to come up with a dink pass to Chambers. A typical Nix-designed play where the back is fighting for yards, instead of catching it beyond the sticks. 4th and 1. No one calls time out. Half a minute burns away.

The next few plays, even more discombobulated. Harris scrambles but doesn't get out of bounds. Tick, tick, tick. Hankerson drops yet another pass. Cooper picks up a few yards on a broken play and gets forced out.

Game over for the Canes, but what about Nix? Will that seal the OC's fate? For Shannon's sake, it better. Nothing personal against the second year OC, but nothing about the past two years has earned him a third go around. Not with the future of Miami's program on the line. 

Two years into his stint as head coach, Randy is who we thought he was. That's not an insult, it's fact. The more things change, the more they stay the same. 

As a defensive coordinator, Shannon was no figurehead. He wasn't lauded for making adjustments or incredible schemes. What you saw was what you got. Superior talent. Coached up, well disciplined Miami-style players who came to play. Stubborn at times, Shannon would stick with his defense and would let his players "out-talent" yours.

If that was the case then, why does anyone expect a brand new Randy today?

You're not going to see animated behavior on the sideline from a coach who's spent his whole life keeping his cool in the face of adversity. There have been too many bleak moments in Shannon's path that he's overcome. A blown call or misused timeout isn't going to rattle his cage. Nor will an in-your-face sports media. Shannon won't play their small-minded game.

Fans who get caught up in the coachspeak (or lack thereof), get a grip. Worry about the end result, not the process. Last year Shannon said no one would be let go. A few weeks later, Tim Walton was canned. Instead of rejoicing and the hiring of Bill Young, some chose to ride Shannon about the process ("But he said no one was getting fired and then he fired someone!"). Same to be said for regarding suspensions, depth charts and other day-to-day events where fans want instant, ESPN-like results and updates.

One thing matters at Miami; winning. Shannon learned it as a player, dealt with it as an assistant and now lives with it daily as a head coach. Talking up the media. Shaking hands and kissing babies. Save that for the politicians. Randy's job isn't to be your friend or hero. He's trying to rebuild a program that was in much worse shape than most wanted to admit. It's hardly an accident no one else lined up to take the gig two Decembers ago.

My friends, all this revisionist history needs to go. It's 2008, not 1988. Welcome to where we currently are. The run you saw two decades ago; it was a perfect storm. You'll never see it again. The landscape changed. There's more parity in the game today; a result of there being more money to spread around. College ball is big business, meaning even smaller state schools are joining the sweepstakes. Fork out the dough for a big name coach and you too could earn your very own trip to this years BCS! 

The turnaround on Butch Davis' watch a decade ago? It doesn't happen at that magnitude today. That pre-BCS era where Nebraska and Florida State were your dominant forces and a few other players stepped up here or there? Long gone. Every big conference has their share of players and these days, neither the Huskers or Noles are dominating the conferences they once owned.

Money changes everything. It's no accident Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Alabama are in this year's BCS - most of them perennial contenders year in and out. The current college game suits the big money schools. Cash to throw around for big names coaches. The best facilities in the game, in an effort to lure in the best recruits. It's a proven science, people.

If Miami is going to rebound, it will again take someone with an unorthodox approach to rebuild. Anyone in high demand is taking the easier gig, the fatter paycheck and the state funding somewhere else. All of you who want to run Shannon out of town -- who do you really think is coming here to replace him? Did you already forget how many big name coaches said 'no' a few Novembers ago?

Only a first-timer was heading south for a rebuilding project at a private school with an off-campus stadium, a small budget and a fickle fan base. A newbie who in this case bleeds orange and green and loves this program more than all the smack-talking message board folk combined. 

For the Canes to get back on top, it'll take "out-talenting" the competition... again. It'll take a masterful recruiter who spots diamonds in the rough, reels in Miami-caliber players and addresses recruiting needs to a T, somehow pulling in a top-ranked class after a 5-7 inaugural season.

It also means doing so with coordinators who aren't big name, "flavor of the week", hot commodities.

Of course Gus Malzahn took the Auburn gig and hefty pay raise. Anyone who thought Miami would reel in the uber-hot Tulsa OC is nuts. Four coordinators turned down the job last year before Nix accepted it. Malzahn isn't leaving Tulsa for a roll of the dice. He's SEC-bound for the big payday and resume booster. 

As for Young, another case where the stars were aligned. The veteran, in his early sixties, is in the twilight of his career. South Florida was a good fit and he believed in Randy, so he took the leap of faith.

Shannon will have to get crafty and find Young's counterpart for the offense. He needs to find the 'next Malzahn' a year before anybody else does - though it starts with firing Nix; something I believe happens in the coming days. There's too much on the line career-wise for Randy. Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells are said to be Shannon's mentors. Good leaders know when to dump a bad hand. Neither could have a valid reason for backing Nix.

This decision is a make or break situation for Shannon. A fork in the road. His moment of truth. The clock is ticking. Another 7-6 season and those top-ranked recruiting classes will be a thing of the past. You can only sell the dream for so long. There's no way he doesn't realize this.

Few leaders are truly sound in all facets of their game. There's always a flaw and their strength is knowing their weaknesses, filling the voids with people who are strong where they're weak.

Shannon's strength was never as some Xs and Os guru. The man can evaluate talent, recruit, sell the program and mentor. Anyone downplaying this discipline issue, you're dead wrong. No one needs discipline more than 18-21 athletes with big heads. Discipline is necessary for the sake of team. Eliminate the "me first" mentality. Break down boys. Turn them into men.

Funny how this freshman class gets that and embraces Shannon's culture, but the lazy upperclassmen who were part of the decline - they seem to be the ones not buying the hype.

Let these freshman become juniors and get two more like-minded classes are on board. Only then will Miami becoming "Miami". When the depth returns and this staff isn't subbing in a third string guard as a tight end, things will start to feel normal again.

For a program that once had Kellen Winslow II backing up Jeremy Shockey, the fact Tyrone Byrd was behind Zellner - it speaks volumes. 

Shannon's freshmen were the bright spot of an up and down 7-6 season. They made plays against a veteran Cal team and almost stole the game, much like they did from Wake Forest, Virginia and Virginia Tech. The culture is changing. The right kids are getting back on board. Don't let three straight losses take anything from that.

A freshman coughed up a game-deciding fumble, but don't forget about the senior lineman who couldn't stop the bullrush of an undersized Pac-10 linebacker.

Reggie Youngblood came to Miami a highly-touted, five-star offensive line prospect. He'll leave undrafted after an uninspired overall career and a footnote as to where exactly the Emerald Bowl took a turn for the worse.

Romeo Davis and Glenn Cook whiffed, while Sean Spence shined again. Par for the course with this year's linebacking corps. Let's get Colin McCarthy healthy and get highly-touted Arthur Brown and Jordan Futch out there next year and see where things go. 

Safety Anthony Reddick announces that he won't petition for another year of eligibility and nobody flinches. One of Miami's most depleted positions and people would rather rely on a true freshman next year than the services of a once-promising prospect who flamed out. 

Freshman stepped up to make plays, while seniors wilted down the stretch. Not exactly the formula for this year's BCS-bound squads.

Things are always as strong as their weakest link. This defense struggled because of a spotty secondary and serviceable linebackers. The offense never got going because of putrid line play, which directly impacted the ability to run and pass.

Until those holes are filled, the struggles will continue. Some argue that it's not a talent issue, but when you see games fall apart courtesy of missed tackles, dropped balls and the inability to hold or shed blocks - where else can you look for answers?

The writing is on the wall. Time for Randy to fire, hire and recruit. It's only complicated if he overthinks it. There's a proven Miami formula. Stick to it, ignore the critics and the Canes will eventually be back where they belong.  

One more time, Canes...

After all that, we're down to one. One game. One chance. Even one quarterback. A crazy four-month journey, indeed.

The highs. The lows. Eking out a few wins in games that could've gone either way. Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory on other occasions. There's been nothing easy about 7-5 this season for the Miami Hurricanes and a season-ending match up with Cal won't be an exception.

Few are giving the Canes a shot Saturday night. Thousands of miles from home. Temperatures in the 40s. An unofficial 'home' game for the Bears, with 3Com Park closer to Cal than Dolphin Stadium is to The U. 

On paper, Miami could be a double-digit underdog by game time. Five players are suspended and a slew more sidelined due to injury. This is hardly the same bunch of Canes that hit the field late August for a season-opening rout of Charleston Southern.

The only real similarity is behind center, with Jacory Harris starting game one and now the finale.

After 7-5, I'm done going on a limb and predicting wins and losses. In the same breath, I haven't given up on the kids either.

After missing a bowl last year, Randy Shannon and staff are preparing to coach their first post-season outing in their tenure. Last year this time, recruiting was the name of the game as the season came to a crashing 5-7 halt in late November. The only December travels were to the homes or schools of recruits.

How will Shannon and staff handle double-duty this year? After so much talk of the bowl game being a blessing, how prepared and focused will these coaches have these players?

Depending on where your allegiance lies -- pro-Miami, anti-Shannon, pro-Cal, anti-Nix -- you could argue every side of this equation and still not find an answer. The bookies like the Bears, but this is the least clear-cut match up of this long season. In the end, it all comes down to who shows up.

For Miami, is it the team who willed itself to victories against Duke, Wake Forest, Virginia and Virginia Tech? Or is it the lost bunch who could do no right in back-to-back losses against Georgia Tech and NC State?

Regarding Cal, a tale of two quarterbacks and a team seemingly overhyped. 6-3 in the Pac-10, yet only five conference teams sport a winning record. Cal earned five wins against rivals who finished 4-5, or worse. Against the best the Pac had to offer (Southern Cal and Oregon State),the Bears were outscored 51-24 in early November. When they faced an ACC team earlier this year, a 35-27 loss at Maryland.

All that isn't to say Cal isn't a formidable foe or that Jahvid Best isn't a threat, but the 5'10" and 193-pound running back put up his best numbers against defenses that weren't quite Miami-esque and didn't boast the same athletes. 

A 311-yard outing against Washington deserves kudos, but lest not forget the Huskies finished this year's campaign winless. Against legit foes, Best had much more down to earth numbers. 30 yards against USC. 93 against Oregon. 85 against Colorado State. 25 against Maryland.

Best threw up 200 yard outings against Washington State and Stanford; who were a combined 7-18 and at the bottom of the Pac. Against middle of the road conference foes, Best barely averaged 100 yards and a touchdown per game. Sounds much more mortal than he's being made out to be.

As much hype as #4 received down the stretch, Miami's defense took a statistical hit after losses to Georgia Tech and NC State, being made out to be a liability. Prior to the final two games, the Canes defense held strong late in the season. The highlight, shutting down eventual ACC Champion Virginia Tech's then-potent rushing attack.

Freshman sensation Darren Evans posted a 253-yard outing at Maryland the week before, yet against the Canes his second-lowest total of the season; 43 yards.

Line up a big-bodied back with your standard drop-back passer and Miami proved it could play defense. It was the gimmicky offenses that gave the Canes fits, be it a funky triple-option or a versatile mobile quarterback on a mission, with his team on his back. 

This isn't to say Miami's D will return to mid-season form or that Best's recent success won't continue. It simply means the stats the gurus and geeks keep shoving down your collective throat are skewed.

Throw out the numbers. This game comes down to one simple question; who comes to play? Come bowl season, that's what it's all about. Who is thrilled to be there and who is going through the motions? Who wants to put an exclamation point on their season and who has checked out, already thinking ahead to next year?

For Miami, no one knows. While Cal has won three straight bowl games under Jeff Tedford, (albeit against lesser opponents - Air Force, Texas A&M, BYU), Shannon and staff are yet to prove their post-season mettle. With a month to prepare for an opponent, what will the Miami coaches bring to the table?

Can Patrick Nix finally break out of his offensive shell? What does he have in store for Harris? Will he finally bring a balanced rushing attack and give this O an identity?

What about Bill Young? With a month to prepare for Best, how will this supposed guru plan on stopping one of the nation's hotter backs?

With months to game plan against Florida, Young found a way to shut down Tim Tebow and a potent Florida offense for most of the night. Cal has been the name of the game for a month now. Time to walk that walk.

There's a lot of talk from Miami that the Emerald Bowl is the beginning of the 2009 season, as opposed to the end of 2008. A jump start on next year, where this team expects more growth and another step forward after another top-flight class is inked in February.

That said, talk is cheap. It's put up or shut up time for Miami, come Saturday and for this program moving forward.

In recent years this team still had players talking like it's 2001, while playing like it's 1997. As early as today, offensive lineman Jason Fox provided a few more signature soundbites.

"Nobody came to Miami to be mediocre. Everybody came here to win championships and have those undefeated or one-loss seasons. That's what everybody expects, that's what everybody holds themselves to, and that's what we want to get back to."

Early last season Fox all but guaranteed a win at Oklahoma, a game Miami lost 51-13. Since then, the junior lineman always seems to be the first to talk about what the Canes should do, yet the program is now 19-18 since his freshman campaign.

Miami's overall resume speaks for itself. Especially the run earlier this decade. While this group of Canes is 19-18 since 2006, the class of 2000 Canes were 35-3 entering their senior season. More than twice the record with a fraction of the chatter. 

Ironically, this decade's BCS staple Canes were all business - talking less and letting their play speak for itself. Hopefully this next generation of Canes followed the Gospel According to Ed Reed and chooses to get it done on the field, instead of on media day.

That isn't meant to be a knock of Fox, he's just the most vocal.

These guys came to Miami, aspirations high and when the program was better off. The past few classes simply haven't carried the torch or even maintained. It's been backslide city.

For this current crop of Canes, another chance to let their play do the talking. One more game, a formidable foe, a prime time contest and the ability to get rid their mouths of that losing taste.

Miami may be void of the depth and talent necessary to compete for a national title, but there's enough under the hood to hang with a fourth-ranked Pac-10 team, in a conference where only five teams went bowling. 

Quarterback controversy? Mr. Harris can settle that argument on the field tomorrow. All season long he and Robert Marve progressed and regressed in tandem. No one snatched the brass ring. Harris will get his first start since game one. Prove you're "the guy". Leave no doubt.

Mr. Nix, the majority of this fan base is calling for your head. Legendary Canes -- with proven track records and national championship rings to their credit -- have called you out, saying your offense lacks an identity.

You said this team's strength was a power running game and improved offensive line, yet you never established an effective ground attack all season. Your approval rating is Bush-esque,  be it with the fans - or your boss' mentor, on speed dial in the Keys.

One game. Show promise and probably save your job. Lose and that hammer probably falls. Again, one game. Let's see what you got. (I'd start with a lot of Harris to Aldarius Johnson, for Bulls sake.)

Coach Young, tap into that pre-Florida mojo. Whatever you were out to prove that night, find it in San Francisco.

For Randy, it's bowl season. A winner as both a player and assistant. Rings to show for both. Now a first-time head coach. How will it play out? Miami needs a win. 8-5 sounds a hell of a lot better than 7-4. 

Throw in a win over a 'quality' Pac-1o program, a big time recruiting class, some Harris hype in spring and Miami rides the momentum train into a decent preseason ranking.

The Canes need this game. It's the difference between sitting in neutral for a few months or taking the next logical step in the journey back. Living with a three-game losing streak until fall or going out with a much-needed bang. 

Rebuilding efforts start with games like these. Everybody knows, but in this case how do things play out. 

Tomorrow night we'll know. No excuses, right?

Go Canes.

Happy Holidays, Hurricane Faithful...

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year and all the best this holiday season.

Now get off this blog and go spend some quality time with your friends and family.

Go Canes.

How Randy can bring some holiday cheer to U...

All's quiet on the Marve-To-Transfer front. For now, at least.

The Canes left for the west coast this morning and Miami takes on Cal come Saturday. The final stop on the this year's up and down journey. 7-6 or 8-5 will be the result. Improvement from last year, but still not where this program aspires to be. The disappointment of a three-game losing streak or a win and cause for optimism entering 2009.

For a 'meaningless' bowl game, much will be taken from the Emerald and anything else the Canes do this off-season. After two years on the job and hovering around the .500 mark record-wise, Randy Shannon has reached a crossroad.

Anyone paying attention can tell you that the next few moves will make or break this first timer's coaching career. No pressure, though. Just your legacy on the the line, Coach.

First and foremost, dealing with an offensive coordinator called out for questionable playcalling and lack of identity on offense - and not just by the fans. This go around it's Jimmy Johnson and Gino Torretta being critical. Randy's mentor and a Heisman-winning former QB both have been openly critical of Nix.

In the midst of this, Robert Marve earns his second suspension of the season. Another off-the-field distraction for a kid who should've solidified the starting job after twelve games, yet hasn't. Transfer talk became the hot topic after said quarterback's father requested a meeting with Shannon to discuss junior's future and the State of Miami.

It's easy to observe and judge from the outside looking in. I'm sure many fans would love five minutes with Randy to 'impart wisdom', but as the one actually making those hard decisions, there's a big difference between theory and reality.

That said, sometimes it takes a casual observer to see what's so obvious. The main party involved doesn't always see the forest for the trees. 

With the holiday season approaching, I'm in a festive mood. For Coach Shannon, I offer up a holiday season to-do list. From my vantage point - on the couch with a laptop, breaking down this season's games on the plasma - I see that forest for the trees and I believe with some fine tuning, Randy can turn this thing around.

To do so, some tough choices need to be made and some hills need to be climbed. Let's discuss:


Have Miami ready for Cal - All the optimism after the win over Virginia Tech and sitting at 7-3, it feels like forever ago. Surrendering 79 points in two straight losses will do that to you.

Worse than falling out of contention in the ACC, the fact Miami looked flat. Ill prepared for Georgia Tech's rare triple option is bad, but letting NC State's true freshman quarterback own you in a 'bounce back' game is unacceptable. What happened to playing for pride? 

An out of position, poor-tackling defense that got run all over in back-to-back games doesn't bode well with Cal's Jahvid Best waiting in the wings. Four suspensions and the distraction of a bench-riding, possibly-transferring quarterback aren't helping either.

Shannon is most likely in recruiting mode right now, tempted to focus on bettering tomorrow instead of winning today. A loss against Cal will hurt on the campaign trail. Harder to sell 'moving in the right direction' after three straight beatings.

As defeatist as this sounds, I can live with a loss. Just not another performance similar to the last two losses and 619 rushing yards surrendered the against the Jackets and Wolfpack.

Will Randy have Miami ready to play come Saturday? It's the million dollar question. If the Canes pull another no-show, that's a big blow against Shannon. Miami didn't make a bowl last season and this game is considered a blessing after staying home last year or visiting Boise two years back. These kids better play like this game means something, win or lose. 


Deal with the Nix situation - Business is business and right now, five or seven-loss seasons aren't cutting it at the annual review. Shannon is at a crossroads with his quarterback situation, possibly losing a big piece of this rebuilding puzzle in Marve.

Nix is the lynchpin and removing him will have a domino effect on this program. It doesn't take an Xs and Os guru to see that quarterbacks aren't being nurtured, the offense isn't growing and that these Canes lack identity. If fans, former players, bloggers and message board know-it-alls recognize this, so do potential recruits and their parents.

If Shannon is truly listening to the advice of mentors like JJ and Bill Parcells, how can Nix return in 2009? Who could possibly be in Randy's ear, telling him to put his collective fate on the playcalling of his current OC? 

This situation is as bad as Tim Walton's baptism by fire in 2007. Nix had less to work with, so he earned an extra season, got two new quarterbacks and more overall talent year two. Sadly the result was still Walton-esque.

Randy pulled the plug on his first-year defensive coordinator and brought in a proven entity in Bill Young. Young lacked the talent and depth to fully implement his system year one, but more is expected next season.

If Nix sticks around one more season and falters, how far could that set things back? Twenty-four games into this regime, how much more needs to be seen regarding an offense that isn't producing? 

Last year Walton was canned mid-December, but there was no bowl game. If Nix is gone, expect it sometime after the Emerald and before New Years. Somebody would also have to be waiting in the wings. Shannon can't settle for a fifth choice again. The ball already has to be in motion if a change is on its way.


After Nix, handle the Marve dilemma - Another year like the last two will run Marve out of town and hurt Miami's stable of quarterbacks. Whether you prefer he or Jacory Harris, we can all agree that the Canes are better with a Harris-Marve duo, as opposed to Harris-Cook or Harris-Smith.

Let's hope the recent meeting with the Marves was less about Robert transferring and instead focused on a new agenda for 2009. Let's hope that Marve's talkative high school coach calling his former pupil "frusrated" has more to do with his current all around situation and isn't a hint that #9 is really weighing his options.

If Nix goes and a good coordinator is brought on board, Marve has less reason to go. Many think Marve is Nix's guy an vice versa, but I don't buy it. Marve hardly thrived in Nix's offense and Harris excelled because of his ability to improvise and self-manage.

Harris appears more polished, able to figure it out as he goes along. Marve seems Favre-like, less of a student of the game and more a playground wunderkind that simply makes things happen.

Marve's game stands a better chance with a better supporting cast and a defense that creates turnovers, giving the offense a short field. A rocket arm, good mobility and a gamer, Marve will succeed somewhere. Just not as a freshman on this team and not if Shannon doesn't make some changes. 


Recruit, recruit, recruit and then close strong - Until the talent and depth return, Miami won't be "Miami" again. I've beat this point into the dirt, but if you've followed this program for the past few decades, you know it's right. Coaching is a huge piece of the puzzle, but the right players are the even bigger piece.

Signing Day is a month and a half away. The Canes need offensive lineman, playmakers in the secondary and big time, bruiser running backs. All of the above are on the radar and another top five class is necessary, as are some early enrollees. The formula worked a year ago and Miami looked much more talented (albeit, inexperienced) this year than last. 


In summary, the tasks at hand aren't easy, but Shannon knew what he was up against when signing up for this job that nobody else wanted. He's not a coordinator or #2 guy anymore. He's the top dog and the boss-man has to make tough decisions.

Head coaches have to suspend players and cut bait regarding troublemakers or guys from the old regime who don't fit the bill. He has to fire coordinators (and friends) who aren't pulling their weight, while having the wherewithal to replace them with better talent sold on helping rebuild The U. Shannon has proven he's a masterful recruiter and proved he could rid last year's team of some dead-weight players and coaches that didn't fit the bill.

A year later, he has to do it all over again if he plans on resurrecting this once proud program.

Clemson 91, Miami 72

I haven't seen too much of this year's Miami Hurricanes basketball squad this season, but what I have seen hasn't been all that pretty.

A 13-point loss to #2 UCONN is acceptable. Early in the season. Tough foe. High expectations. Fail that early season test, but respond to the next challenge.

Instead, Miami's ace in the hole wanted to bury his head in one, after taking a swipe and a defender. Jack McClinton got tossed early on againt Ohio State and the Canes wilted down the stretch.

A quality road win four days later hardly felt victorious. Miami hanging on, Kentucky running out of time. (UM was outscored 41-27 in the second half.) From there, a win over FIU gets lost in the shuffle.

Robert Morris makes a game out of what should've been a "take out your frustration on a lesser opponent" type event and tonight in the ACC season opener, Clemson puts on a clinic at BankU.

91-72? C'mon now. Bad Miami teams didn't lose by Clemson by that margin. This team started out top 20 and is folding. In a year when people were starting to take the Canes seriously, they're fading fast.

A few more "L"s and they're in the running for this year's "preseason pretender" in some sports rag's year in review issue.

This time of year, I'm a casual college basketball observer. Football is still in the air. I don't make the switch until after recruiting season, though I'll make an exception this year. January 17th, an ESPN prime-time showdown at #1 North Carolina. A big game that could ignite a flat team who looks to be in some trouble and in need of a mid-season boost.

Between now and then - @St. John's, North Florida, North Carolina Central, Florida Atlantic, @Boston College and Maryland. A half dozen chances to flip the proverbial script. Come together and become the team many predicted they'd be.

Four seniors with one last shot to make some noise. Some young talent is on board, but Miami won't easily replace Jimmy Graham, Lance Hurdle, Brian Asbury and #33. Though tonight's numbers won't scare next year's starters.

Hurdle, 0-6 from the field and 0-2 from the line. A few rebounds and a block for Graham. McClinton, a respectable 20 points, but 1-4 from beyond the arc and 8-of-14 on the night aren't going to cut it against quality ACC teams.

Asbury came through with 10 points off the bench. Clutch, but a wasted performance when the starters don't deliver.

Being on the wrong side of a 16-0 run. Turning the ball over 22 times. Missing 12 of your first 17 free throws. It resulted in Miami's worst loss since third-ranked North Carolina laid a 41-point beat down on the Canes in January 2007.

As a self-admitted post-bowl-season basketball fan, I want to hear from those of you who follow it religiously. What's going wrong and why? What will it take to fix it? Did the Canes simply turn it on late and overachieve down the stretch last season? Is Miami really 19 points worse than Clemson, at home? How will these Canes fare in the ACC this year?

Help the "Casual Fan 'Til Jan" type fan make sense of three losses before we acknowledged that the season started.

Marve to miss Emerald Bowl...

What a fitting way to bookend the 2008 season. Suspended for the first game and the last.

Robert Marve earned himself a first class trip to the sideline for this year's Emerald Bowl, on December 27th. After sitting out the season opener against Charleston Southern, Marve is again in hot water. The official offense is a "violation of team academic rules". Jacory Harris will get his second start of the season, in the finale against Cal.

Marve said that the suspension is a result of "a miscommunication about absentees for a class." He didn't practice with the team today and instead trekked home to Tampa for "personal reasons". Sadly this will only fuel transfer rumors, which clouded message boards and sports pages these past few weeks.

Eugene Marve chimed in, stating that his son was late to class after getting caught up talking with a professor from another class. Though it was verified, the appeal was turned down. Marve, late or absent to a few classes already, was down to his final strike.

For a family that was visibly miffed by Marve's suspension earlier this year (punished for a year-old offense), one has to wonder how this will sit. Is Randy Shannon sending a message? Is Miami forcing Marve's hand? You have to wonder.

There's been much speculation that Harris is the favored quarterback entering 2009, though Marve started 10 of 11 games this season and was listed as 1a to Harris' 1b.

Marve has never come out and stated that he was looking to transfer, but he's also done nothing to quell any rumors. "I'm just taking all this one thing at a time," Marve told The AP.

Hardly a vote of confidence regarding the quarterback controversy that was once a 'competition'.

Many are searching for answers, digging online and are falling for every rumor on the subject - as if anyone really knows anything, besides the Marve family. If the coaches know, they're sure not talking... which means media members and message board enthusiasts with too much time on their hands are throwing everything at the wall, waiting to see what sticks.

I'm certainly not 'in the know' on the subject matter, but would have to give Marve 50/50 odds on returning vs. transferring. Let's apply an ounce of logic and reason to the situation:

> Harris seemed to have outplayed Marve down the stretch. If you look at their signature moments this season, Harris had more than Marve. Marve was gritty and 'found a way' on several occasions. Wake Forest and Virginia Tech come to mind. Running for first downs. Picking up crucial third downs. Marve had his moments, though they were sporadic and sometimes spastic.

Harris was "Elway-esque" in the comeback against Virginia, showing poise and making throws that neither quarterback made any other game this season. Harris also rallied Miami at Duke and put that game way out of reach late in the fourth.


> Marve is again in hot water, missing his second game of the season. If there's one thing we've learned in the Shannon Era, players don't want to be in this coaching staff's doghouse. Mess up and there will be hell to pay. Addition by subtraction applies here and Marve being in trouble versus Harris staying out of trouble; that's the biggest thing separating two freshman quarterbacks right now. Might now seem like much, but it's a big deal.

Like Ken Dorsey in 1999, using the Gator Bowl to separate himself from Kenny Kelly, Harris will have the national stage to start building his case for 2009 in San Francisco against Cal.


> The Marve family is frustrated. Dig up some of papa Marve's quotes from August when #9 was suspended. While Eugene said the right things, if you read between the lines the family didn't agree with the timing of the last suspension and this time around has to be equally as disappointed with this most recent one. Especially being such a minor infraction.

Frustrated families are a big reason kids transfer. A lack of playing time. Not seeing eye-to-eye with the coaching staff. All this stuff adds up over time.


My gut tells me that Team Marve is weighing their options right now. Should Harris shine in the Emerald, he'll have a leg up entering spring. There is no separation between Harris and Marve - one being a true freshman and the other a redshirt freshman. Whoever gets a stranglehold on that starting job, it's theirs until 2011-2012 with the other relegated to life on the sidelines holding a clipboard.

Both Harris and Marve have taken the high road, embracing the competition all year as neither pulled away from the other regarding their game. Unfortunately some off-the-field business is creating separation, so don't be surprised if Marve starts looking around. It's to be expected.

In retrospect, one has to wonder where Miami's quarterback situation would be had Marve not been injured in last year's car accident. Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman were a trainwreck in 2007, so maybe the then true freshman would've had his number called and we'd be talking about a true freshman and true sophomore right now.

Another year of experience could've had a make or break effect, instead of all these questions this Hurricanes program faces today.

C'est la vie. Nine days until Cal and Harris is your starter. Rally behind him, root on the Canes and wish Team Marve the best as they sit down to sort things out.

Seven Pro Bowl-Bound Hurricanes...

Congrats to Andre Johnson, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Clinton Portis, Jon Beason, Jeff Feagles and Reggie Wayne as all seven are headed to the 2009 Pro Bowl.

Feagles is obviously the oldest Cane on this roster and Lewis the only rep from the 90s.

Johnson, Portis, Wayne and Reed are your most recent National Championship-era Miami alum while Beason is the only post-2001 Hurricane to grace the Pro Bowl roster.

While I hate to keep beating this "lack of talent" drum, it's no mystery that four of this year's seven Pro Bowl-bound Canes are from Miami's most dominant era of ball. As the program declined in recent years, so has the Canes presence in this post-season bowl game.

Kudos to NFL U for a whopping seven Canes in next year's Pro Bowl. That said, back to recruiting so this trend can continue in years to come.

Matt Bosher named Hurricanes MVP

A heartfelt congrats to Miami Hurricanes kicker Matt Bosher, who was named team MVP. The sophomore from Jupiter earned the Jack Harding MVP Award on Sunday night at the annual UM awards banquet. 

Bosher hit 17-of-19 field goal attempts and all 38 extra points this season. He went 2-of-3 on field goals of 50 yards or greater and amassed eight special teams tackles. 

Coaches not only applauded Bosher's talent but also praised his all-around abilities as a player and leader. Aside from the Jack Harding MVP award, Bosher is also a finalist for the Lou Groza Award for the nation's best place kicker. 

Kudos to Bosher for bringing home the hardware this year, but let's all hope next season's MVP isn't a special teams player. Miami needs a superstar tailback, quarterback, receiver or turnover-creating defensive superstar to help improve upon this year's 7-5 campaign. 

Other award winners at Sunday's banquet: 

• Sports Hall of Fame Unsung Hero - FB Patrick Hill
• Dale Melching Leadership - LB Glenn Cook
• Plumer Memorial (leadership) - Cook
• Mariutto Scholar Athlete (highest GPA) - Xavier Shannon
• Albert Bentley Most Valuable Walk-On - Chris Ivory
• Walt Kichefski Hurricane Award (commitment/consistency) - WR Khalil Jones
• Special Teams Player of the Year - Sam Shields
• Hard Hitter - LB Sean Spence
• Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year - RB Damien Berry
• Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year - DE Gavin Hardin
• Strength Training Athlete of the Year - Jones
• Nick Chickillo Most Improved Player - Chris Rutledge

Marve transfer rumors surface...

It was only a matter of time before the chatter started. The only question was 'who'? The true freshman or the kid with the redshirt. Turns out the latter is front and center in 'rumor central'.

A few days back message boards were on fire with talk of Robert Marve transferring. What, when, where or why this is all surfacing now, who knows? Fact remains the elephant in the room has been identified, so let's talk frank.

Miami has a quarterback controversy and there's something obviously going on behind the scenes. Whether that results in a transfer, time will tell - but all isn't as cozy as previously reported.

Marve has seen the majority of the snaps this season. More reps per game, your official starter and usually the guy who closes out, as well. Jacory Harris played the role of back up and occasionally the role of hero or spoiler, depending who you ask.

Comebacks at Duke and Virginia helped earn the true freshman 'superhero' status, but a few sub par outings brought the masses back to reality.

Truth be told, Marve and Harris both seemed to regress a bit this year. Against Florida, Marve had moxie and the issue was a bland offensive game plan from Patrick Nix. At some point, the training wheels would come off and Marve would be unleashed on the college football world.

Not quite. 

As the season wound down, Marve looked more Brock Berlin than he did Brett Favre. Clutch plays were followed by untimely interceptions. For a player who's number one job (as described by Randy Shannon) was protecting the football and playing smart, Marve - and Harris - ended too many drives with turnovers instead of points. 

With a bowl game on the brink, another recruiting class about to be inked, a potential shake up within the coaching staff and another rebuilding season on the horizon, you have to wonder how rumors of the starting quarterback departing even came to fruition. Timing-wise it doesn't add up.

Let's be honest, only Marve, his family and maybe a few coaches know his future plans. The scoop won't be cracked on a message board and or by your father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate. Anyone telling you different is full of it. They know nothing and are playing the 50/50 odds that Marve stays or goes. It's a coin flip. Not exactly going out on a limb.

If I'm Marve, I'm at a crossroads and would need time to mull this over. That's the God's honest truth. A few months back Canesport's Jim Martz wrote a rah-rah piece aimed at Harris, who had transfer rumors swirling around him mid-season.

Martz logically argued the Quarterback U angle, as well as the old school talk of 'paying ones dues' and waiting on your turn to shine. It made sense, but it wasn't realistic. Not in this day and age.

Many point to Southern Cal and their arsenal of quarterbacks. Carson Palmer to Matt Leinart to John David Booty to Mark Sanchez. Mitch Mustain waits in the wings, while Matt Cassell rode the pine his whole career, yet is starting for the New England Patriots, every Sunday this fall.

The Trojans are having a hell of a run, but that's not the norm. There was also some separation between the prospects. Palmer started a few years and won a Heisman. Leinart had three years in the sun, winning a Heisman and 1.5 rings.

Booty played back up for three years and started his final two, before handing the reigns to Sanchez.

Regarding Marve and Harris, there's no separation. Both freshman, each took their first collegiate snaps  in 2008 and barring a redshirt for Harris, both will play their seniors seasons in 2011. Whoever earns that starting role next season, the other guy better prepare for life on the bench or as a permanent back up.

Chalk this one up to bad timing, unfortunately. Many are sick of me playing the Larry Coker card, but Miami never should've been in a position to have to start two freshman quarterbacks this year. There needed to be a few more on the roster between the Wright/Freeman era and where the Canes sit today.

Marc Gullion. Daniel Stegall. Pat Deviln. Derek Shaw.

Regardless how the careers of those prospects turned out, fact remains that a few of them should be on Miami's roster today as sophomores or juniors capable of leading this team, while Marve and Harris were brought along much more slowly and fully developed, instead of being thrown into the deep end and expected to swim day one.

Miami's recruiting failures are for the program to deal with and recover from. The lack of talent and depth at quarterback shouldn't hurt the career or legacy of Marve or Harris. One guy will get a shot and should the other one want to go elsewhere to make his name, so be it. 

In a perfect world, one gets the starting nod next spring and the other vows to push for playing time and win back the starting gig in fall. Back up your starter, know your role as a back up and be ready when you're number is called. It's a fan's dream, but all things being equal, it ain't a perfect world.  

Today's college superstars want to shine immediately. If things aren't working out, take off now, hit the ground running at a small school next year - or sit out a year at a big school and get ready to start by 2010, two years of eligibility remaining. 

How this plays out; it's a mystery us all. All we have are our instincts and my gut tells me there's a good chance someone transfers after the bowl game. Especially if the other guy has the supposed inside track to the starting job. Cut your losses now, bag next year and make the most of your two final playing years. 

Nix also remains and X-factor in all this, as many have hinted that his relationship with Marve and possible departure could play into things. Regarding Nix's future, again, there is no known news. More rumors, each bigger than the next.

Depending on the day, Miami could be welcoming Tulsa's Gus Malzahn any day now... or Gary Stevens is coming out of the retirement home to start calling plays again for the first time in a decade.

Nix received a courtesy interview for Auburn's head coaching vacancy, but that's no different than an old school Cane getting a chance to throw his name in the hat for an opening. No chance Nix is the Tigers next head coach, but a possibility that he'll no longer be Miami's offensive coordinator.

Fact? Hardly. Just a hunch. If Shannon is consulting the likes of Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells regarding how to resurrect a program, I can't see how either would sell the Miami skipper on keeping an OC who still hasn't found an identity two seasons into his tenure.

Shannon's future depends on how quickly he can turn things around. He's playing the chess match of his life, regarding his stint as a head coach. A few more missteps and it's checkmate.

If a hack blogger can see that, so does Shannon. Randy knows what's on the line and he knows this offense is stuck in neutral. Something's got to give and I believe it will... after the first of the year. If you evaluate a 5-7 season and send some heads rolling, 7-5 isn't going to go unscathed. Not after two years of the same mistakes.

Bury your collective head in the sand, Canes fans. Between now and the bowl game, enjoy your holidays, plug your ears to the rumors and if you want to keep your sanity, stay away the message boards. You won't remember your name or what you believe after a journey into college football's online version of the National Enquirer.

Less than three weeks to a showdown with Cal. New Years. Some new news. Another recruiting class and fresh growth come spring.

Keep your heads up.  

Miami to face Cal in Emerald Bowl...

The ACC title game wasn't in the cards. Nor was a BCS berth. Not this year and not after dropping its two final games.

Instead, the Miami Hurricanes are headed to San Francisco for the Emerald Bowl against Pac-10 representative, Cal.

Saturday December 27th, a nationally televised ESPN audience and a chance to represent on the west coast - fertile recruiting ground for an Miami program in repair and needing and influx of talent.

With Miami mathematically in the ACC title hunt a few weeks back, many are reeling from back-to-back losses and haven't yet come to terms with how the 2008 season played out.

Those choosing to employ some logic realize 7-5 and a mid-level bowl game is a vast improvement from last year's 5-7 campaign. It's even better than 7-6 in 2006, considering that squad boasted four future first-round draft picks. These Canes are looking at 7-6 or 8-5 and did it with 31 inexperienced freshman.

The Emerald Bowl won't be confused with the Orange anytime soon, but it's a step in the right direction. Especially after no bowl last season and some Blue Turf action the year before, this is Miami's biggest post-season event since getting rolled by LSU in the 2005 Peach Bowl.

Randy Shannon has a busy month ahead. Less than three weeks to get his Canes ready for a cross country trek and bowl game against the Bears, he has to recruit his guts out and contemplate some staff changes by the New Year. Decisions which will shape the direction of this program, as well as his overall legacy as a first-time head coach.

While all that unfolds, appreciate the fact that Miami is bowl-bound and it's shaking down on grass, instead of blue turf.

No. 22 Miami 73, Kentucky 67...

I'm still not ready to talk basketball this time of year... but the Miami Hurricanes earned another big out of conference road win - it's fourth straight - and it needs to be acknowledged.

This may not be your father's Kentucky Wildcats bunch, but they're still a quality program and it was The U's first win against UK in four tries. A big showdown for an up-and-coming team.

Miami blew a 15-point lead against Ohio State last Tuesday, after Jack McClinton was sidelined for taking a swipe at a Buckeye. This time around, the Canes were sitting on a 21-point lead that dwindled down to four, but McClinton and crew stepped up and kept this one out of reach down the stretch.

Unlike the loss to Ohio State, Miami's supporting cast held it together for the duration. James Dews had an 18-point effort and went 4-6 regarding 3-pointers. Lance Hurdle was the next closest Cane with nine point, which pales in comparison to McClinton's 23.

From what little has been seen of these Hurricanes this early in the season, it appears to be McClinton and everybody else. His lack of presence cost Miami against Ohio State and these Canes are simply an average bunch if he's not on the roster. Moving forward, other players are going to have to step up.

McClinton went cold in the second half, going 0-for-5, missing a few threes and hitting his first two-point jumper with 9:11 remaining. #33 went 2-for-8 in the second half, but did hit two clutch free throws in the final minute to help secure the win.

Miami had the luxury of holding on to a 20-point halftime lead, which won't be the case once ACC play kicks off in the coming weeks. These Canes can't continue to go cold when ahead by such a large margin and when McClinton isn't hitting, someone else has to.

The difference in the waning moments this time around were free throws. Miami went 6-of-8 from the line with less than a minute to play, en route to a six-point win.

Next up, a Friday night showdown with crosstown rival Florida International.

Not quite ready to talk basketball, but...

... but how can I not comment on the Miami Hurricanes' 73-68 loss to Ohio State last night? Sweet Lord, can't we let a contest between these two programs end with something other than marred in controversy?

For those who missed it, Miami point guard Jack McClinton was on fire early; 4-of-4 beyond the arc for 12 points.

With 10:12 in the first half and a 19-7 Canes lead, McClinton got the boot for taking a swipe at Buckeyes guard Anthony Crater. OSU coach Thad Motta made a stink, the officials congregated in front of the scorers table and moments later McClinton got the heave-ho.

Upon further review, Crater got a shot at McClinton moments before, which prompted the retaliaton. Of course in the world of sports, he who gets caught is the guilty party. While McClinton's frustration is understandable, the reaction cost his team a win.

Miami hung on for a while, sitting on a 36-22 halftime lead, but Ohio State chipped away. With 7:28 left in the contest, the Buckeyes finally tied the game, 54-54 and took their first lead moments later after a Jeremie Simmons three-pointer. The Canes never led again.

Brian Astbury made back-to-back free throws in the final minute, bringing the Canes to within one, but sloppy play down the stretch thwarted out any shot at a comeback.

In the final four minutes, Miami missed seven of their final nine shots from the field. Lance Hurdle played in desperation mode, missing three straight three-point attempts when two and good defense would've kept the Canes alive.

Safe to say Miami probably won't see too many more games where their star guard gets the boot and the team blows a 14-point halftime lead.

That said, a lesson needs to be learned in what should've been a gimmie out of conference game as the Canes were the better team and had homecourt advantage over a squad that rarely leaves Columbus.

If this team is going to make any noise in the ACC and in the postseason, McClinton needs to keep his cool and other role players absolutely have to step up. Miami should've been able to beat Ohio State with a then 12-point lead when McClinton was ejected.

Decent shooting down the stretch and average defense gives the Canes a double-digit win. Miami had neither.

No time to feel sorry for themselves or to waste time licking wounds as the Canes head to Rupp Arena on Saturday for a showdown with Kentucky. No news yet regarding McClinton's presences and if the ACC will suspend him an additional game for a boneheaded act. Stay tuned.

All-ACC team announced...

The 2008 All-ACC Football team was announced today and let record show not one Miami Hurricane was named to the squad. Placekicker/punter Matt Bosher was named to the second team and somehow safety Anthony Reddick was named to the Honorable Mention list, despite a very average season.

There are many ways one can digest this information.

First and foremost, if you can't even earn All-ACC honors in such and up and down conference, you're definitely not going to have an Parade All-Americans on your squad. Further proof that the talent level at The U has dropped tremendously.

Now that said, Miami was 7-3 two weeks ago and still had a shot at reaching the ACC title game, before dropping it's final two games and going 7-5 on the year.

ACC Coastal winner Virginia Tech had five players named to the first and second team, while Atlantic Division winner Boston College had six players honored. Ironic that both schools are Big East rejects who the ACC invited on board along with Miami, to sweeten the deal.

The Canes are yet to sniff a conference title game in four season while the Hokies have won it twice and are playing for it again this year. The Eagles are headed to their second straight ACC Championship game, where they lost to Tech last December.

Anyone who said the move to the ACC is what killed Miami, think again. It's a lack of talent that's done the Canes in. How else can you explain Boston College and Virginia Tech repping the ACC's best two years in a row when both were Big East teams that Miami used to beat on?

You hear that sound? That's Randy Shannon and staff getting back on the recruiting trail...