Bikki, this game was a thing of beauty from a play calling standpoint. I think Shannon Dawson took his game to another level. Guys grow as coaches and this game was impressive.
I love the bunch formations and UM ran a ton of motion. You always talk about motion and Miami ran some of the Mike McDaniels offense that he runs with the Dolphins. He forces the defense to defend the entire field.
I am going to say this…This offense is going to be so tough to stop. This comes down to Ward not doing too much. If he does not make mental mistakes Miami is going to run up some impressive numbers.
Offensive line…Miami offensive line gave Ward some major time and the backs had holes to run through…rewatch the game. The first touchdown of McCormick- Miami runs 12 personal and he looks like at first that his job is to block. He comes across the field and scores. UF had no idea how to cover it.
I have had to re-assess my feelings about Shannon Dawson. You’re right Fish; he called a great game. What impressed me most was his shift to a two man backfield in the redzone in the second half. I didn’t expect him to make adjustments, but he did.
Dawson is a solid offensive coordinator.
Mario has had his problems as a game day coach, but Mario is sublimely organized and a phenomenal recruiter. The poise problem that afflicted us last year has vanished, and it happened during the FIRST game of the season. A lot of good things seem to happen when you’ve got a good QB. Getting Ward was the recruiting coup of the century. We’ve got a Heisman candidate.
Also, I was impressed by the defense, especially Baron and Alston on the defensive line and Jaden Harris at safety. Guidry has been a good defensive coach everywhere he’s been. He even had Marshall playing lights out defense. We were supposed to have a weakness in the secondary. I didn’t see it against Florida. I think Mertz had his worst day ever at QB thanks to Mssrs. Baron and Alston.
I enjoyed every minute of it. These coaches are under immense pressure and Mario wants to win more than any fan. I have a personal relationship with Mario and the guy is no nonsense. What I like most is he realized you win and lose in the trenches. That is where he spent his resources early on and it paid off. He has had a plan and while it may not have been what the fans wanted - his plan was to build the team inside out. His OL and DL are a big reason why Miami won. He then went out and got a QB who is a stud. I am a huge fan of Martinez as I watched a ton of Oregon State games and was impressed. Call also has a great running back many will find out about.
Fish, I really enjoyed the game as well. Mario has had his problems game day, but what parent is not going to like Mario Cristobal. The secret of Saban’s success was his ability to lure in the big guys year after year. For twenty years, we’ve complained about the offensive line. Under Mario, we’re going to have to find other things to complain about.
I’d like to see Chris Johnson get a few touches. I thought, if he has hands, we could use him the way Saban used Henry Ruggs. No defensive back can catch Johnson if has only a single step on them.
There was probably a time not too long ago that Zion Nelson might have been our best OL. OK, maybe it was Rivers in actuality but take a good look at the old offensive linemen and realize that they’re about all gone. (Washington, McLaughlin, Campbell, Traore - good grief!) We all probably knew that Mario and Mirabal would eventually make the OL a strength and not a liability by first upping the talent overall on the line and then with development which was going to take a couple years anyway. Seems we’re here now and good to see.
My thought on Cam Ward was that I wondered if Ohio State was ever in on him? They got Will Howard from K-State but doesn’t Cam seem like the guy that would be the ideal fit for that offense? Can you imagine him pushing the buttons on that team with all those weapons? They’d be unstoppable. Seems Cam signed late with us and I guess OSU had already landed their QB. Just a thought though. Glad they didn’t land him!
This team has a chance to be very good. Cam makes everyone around him better. You just see a different step with each player that plays with him. He is magic with the ball in his hands. Cam is by far the most dynamic QB Miami has ever had.