Syracuse 1998 Redux

Ten years later history repeats itself. Miami coming off a losing season and time in the national wilderness re-emerges and faces a game to win a conference or division championship. In 1998, it was a Big East championship matchup in the final conference game versus Syracuse. Win in the Carrier Dome and the Canes win the Big East and go to the Orange Bowl. Lose and head to the Micron PC Bowl. Sixty Six Syracuse points later we knew the Canes weren't all the way back yet.

Ten years later almost to the day we have a similar embarrassment with a championship on the line. Miami's defense bit on every option play much like they did in 1998. Unlike 1998 the Canes did not get beat on the long ball. That's because the Yellow Jackets did not need to throw a long pass down the field in this game.

Georgia Tech's flexbone triple option is precisely why I've been quoted all over the net thinking they will emerge as the rival to Florida's southeastern football hegemony in the next few years. After tonight I think Paul Johnson may actually be ahead of schedule.

Miami's offense was poor and Pat Nix's play calling tonight was among his worst since joining the Miami staff. A shotgun throw on 4th and inches which was dropped says it all. But to place any blame whatsoever for this humiliating defeat on the offense is foolish. The Miami defense was simply awful. Facing a gimpy Josh Nesbitt realistically means Miami caught Georgia Tech on the right day. But the Canes couldn't take advantage of Nesbitt's obvious physical and mental liabilities and got absolutely gashed by the option.

Running QBs have killed Miami the last few years. The list is lengthy: Donovan McNabb, Al Clark, Michael Vick, Rasheed Marshall, Bryan Randall, Christian Ponder, and now Josh Nesbitt. I love Randy Shannon and absolutely believe he is doing a great job as a Head Coach. But the Miami defense since the days of Bill Miller right through Greg Schiano, Randy Shannon, Tim Walton and now Bill Young have the same liabilities. That leads me to believe it's a system issue.

Will the Canes rabound next week in Raleigh? That game is going to be very tough, but will prove to be a huge gut check and charecter building experience for this young Canes. Let's hope they pass the test the way the 1998 Canes did with an upset of #2 UCLA the week after disaster struck.