Anyone concerned about our injuries in the secondary? OJ, Xavier, both out a month. I know it is next man up and our two starting DB’s are out.
Looking ahead to the schedule we should be fine vs Wake and Central but then we get into some meat of the ACC. Clemson, to me, is still a good team, not great, but good. Pitt always plays us tough. FSU/Miami still a game but UNC is the one of the four that I am most concerned about up until ND….
Yes, I don’t like how average to lost our defense has been against terrible teams. Love my Canes, but I have a bad feeling this defense can’t hang with any top 25 scoring offense. I think we’ll struggle to get pressure all season, lb’s will get lost and corners are thinning out two games in. I don’t trust the defense at all.
FAMU had zero points, on the D 3 plays over 10 yards, 2.3 yards per play, and 13 punts in 13 possessions?
I’m not here to brag about stats vs. FAMU but when you consider we emptied the entire bench very early… What exactly was “lost” about our defense?
The one thing I’d like to see is some ballhawking and forced turnovers soon. But “average to lost”? What are we talking about here?
Famu doesn’t count or matter in any type of redeeming value. The Stanford game had simple basic coverages and linebackers getting lost too much with others out of postition as well.
No we have both corner starters out for a month or more and Friday may get too intersting on defense. I hope I’m wrong, but I’m worried Wake is going to pile up yards passing.
Skeeter, you have no concerns about our D? Just asking…
The Stanford game didn’t look good from a pressure (IMO) or a lock down standpoint. FAMU was a scrimmage so nothing really to judge from that game.
Wake will be a tougher test than Stanford.
I think what some of us are seeing is, so far, an average D. Wilson has zero sacks in 2 games? Lightfoot has 1. It’s unfari to compare our DE’s to last year but we do not have a Bain or Mesidor as of right now. Perhaps others will step up? But, who?
As far as DB goes, yeah, I don’t see any ballhawking shut down guys, just yet.
Given the buzz around Dunnigan he might be able to step into a larger role sooner rather than later. At least he’s not 180 pounds.
Looked a little closer at the roster.
Redshirt sophomore Ryan Mack. Skeeter listed him as a solid enough prospect ( South Florida Class of 2024 top 60 recruits ). Not in ESPN Top 300. Not in 24/7 either.
Redshirt freshman Chris Ewald. Skeeter likewise gave him a decent ranking ( So Fl Top 50 for '25 ). #292 in ESPN Top 300. Not in 24/7 rankings.
Given the evolution of college football it seems like if these two kids are not ready to be thrown into the fire it may already be time to turn the page.
Mack and Ewald were definitely on 247. Ewald was the 37th ranked player in the state in '25. Mack was the 56th in the state in '24 according to that site.
Mack had a nice hit in one of or first two games, and Ewald had a nice PB against FAMU. They are both behind good players, and ya I would imagine portal candidates if they don’t decide to stick around after this year. But one or both could definitely see some run with portal injuries.
I want to add…Verrrry few out there in the Miami Hurricane landscape and Miami focused shows are even talking about our defense or the questions involved?! Are we that drunk with our Offensive potential, that we think an average defense can win the Natty, let alone win in a 12 team playoff?
Yes, I completely understand we are only two games in on the season…but our top two db’s are out for a month at minimum, we don’t have the same talent on the Dline outside of Moten and our linebackers don’t look great. I truly don’t know how we would hold up against elite talent. IF, IF any of these average ass teams move the ball all over, we are cooked no matter what in the long run. I’m not trying to be negative, but I think we are closer to the 2024 defense than anywhere near last seasons.
Based on what you fucking idiot?
Of course I have some concerns. I also have some concerns about Mensah long-term when he steps up in class. I have concerns about the o-line’s run blocking. I had all these concerns coming into the season and now we have cluster corner injuries
I always thought the defense was going to take a small step backwards this year, Bains and Mesidors don’t grow on trees.
The Stanford game didn’t look good from a pressure (IMO)
There was some pressure…We didn’t draw a bunch of holding calls by not having pressure, tough to sack QB when you’re being tackled.
FAMU was a scrimmage so nothing really to judge from that game.
Well it sure the hell seems like some of you are? We can bitch about the performance but then when I list dominant stats (ZERO POINTS) you guys say “well it’s a scrimmage can’t take anything from that”. Seems like you are taking your stance from it? Which is it?
I
think what some of us are seeing is, so far, an average D. Wilson has zero sacks in 2 games? Lightfoot has 1.
6 points in two games is an average D?
Who the hell cares who has sacks so far?? Very poor barometer. Bain had what? 7 the entire regular season last year? I find fans that get angry when the other QB isn’t sacked every drive are akin to hockey fans that scream “shoot it” every time a player crosses center ice. Like the moment the other QB drops back and isn’t pummeled they are yelling “get him” or “look he has all fucking day!!” It’s not like Hetherman has thrown the kitchen sink from a blitz standpoint.
Stanford 4.6 yards per play. I would not categorize their offense as terrible. Overall I’d grade the defense a B or for that game. 6 points
FAMU 2.3 yards per play. Bout right especially when you empty the bench as early as we did.
It’s unfari to compare our DE’s to last year but we do not have a Bain or Mesidor as of right now. Perhaps others will step up? But, who?
I’d argue Lightfoot and Bloung both look very good. I think we have at minimum one of the top 7-8 defensive lines in America with possibly the best DT in the nation in Moten or at worst top 3. Like you I’d like to see a little more from Wilson, but no reason to think we won’t
I’d say coming into the season I thought top 8-10 defense was a realistic goal for the season, with a chance for higher if the ends got going. LB is still the overall weak link (I hope Chase Smith’s snaps keep going backwards), but the younger guys are making some noise. If Lucas is out longer I’d say maybe a little worse top 12-15ish is a better goal, as top 2 future NFL corners is tough especially with your #5 (and climbing) Antoine already out, so maybe just outside that. But if Fitz takes to corner we are deep enough there
I can see Wake and Hernandez eating a little sure… But I’ve seen nothing with this defense where I’m overly worried anymore than I was coming into the season other than the CB injuries. Christ we’ve given sup 6 defensive points so far. And if there was one position on the entire team that could withstand injuries it’s probably corner.
So basically yeah some minor concerns, but I was never under the assumption I wouldn’t have minor concerns, apparently you guys were. I’m sure there will be a game or two where we give up some chunks. Happens to everyone.
Apologies if I misread or missed something. I had no clue so looked it up on their website. https://247sports.com/season/2025-football/RecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=highschool
For 2025 I see a bunch of kids like Nickel, Fitzgerald, Moore and so on. Didn’t see Ewald. Same situation with Mack.
Hopefully they do get some playing time before the meat of the schedule so coach and player better know where they stand. (Outside of the usual newspapers quotes about talent and working hard and…)
Ahh, a dick as always.
our two starting corners are out till who knows, our linebackers are lost half the time and not dicipline against a crappy Stanford team and our Dline is weaker overall, which puts more stress on the back 7. Which brings us back to the corners being played by backups in the 3rd game of the season.
I can see where all parties are coming from in this ad hominem free conversation. The only thing at this juncture one might add is this. Not only championship teams, but teams which aspire to consecutive championships, do need to have the super-lame “next man up” approach. By this I mean every class should be stacked. The “next guy up” should be capable of starting (even if needing some seasoning).
I love player development. But in today’s game it is a luxury. On a dynasty aspirational team every recruit should be at a Toney or Cantwell step in as a freshman level. “Every” is hyperbolic but that’s the general point. Stacked. Hence concerns over issues such as injuries perhaps should not be too intense.
Poor play just the same means the coaches play the guys who practice best or give the team the best chance to win. Regardless of class. If the “next man up” is not up to the task then you do not have a dynasty caliber team. Such is life.
Skeeter, I hear you but my concerns are still there.
I think Wake Forest will be a test for us. Why? Their QB is MOBILE and historically we aren’t good against those. Our LB’s are not that good this year and our secondary is somewhat of a work in progress.
For me, the Wake game will tell me alot about where we are.
IF we hold Wake to 10 and dog walk them, then we know we can make progress. IF they move the ball all over us and we have no pressure, we’ll be cooked come big games, let alone any playoff.
I have some concerns, sure.
One thing I’ve had to adjust my thinking on over the years is that almost every team can move the football these days. Offenses can get the ball out so fast and teams aren’t just standing there and running up the middle for 2 yards every play. Sometimes it’s frustrating to see the chunk yardage given up but what is your team doing defensively inside the 20? That’s where it really matters.
Agreed. Especially with what this program has been. I feel more confident in our ability to go handle business these days, but sports in general and Miami have left me only so beer goggled. The program is in a much better position though. I hope they show that tonight. We shall see.
Go ‘Canes!!!
O’Connor and D.Brown are among the most experienced, and quite frankly best backups CB in America. Do I like em as much as the starters and was Antoine considered a possible future star yes? But yeah if you lose a bunch of corners any team in Americas will be SOMEWHAT concerned. But it may be the deepest position on the team.
Again, I thought there was going to be a drop-off in the defense to begin with. But 2024?? Nah Lol…Like I said, based on what? (6 points, you ran and hid there)
True and my point is…There really wasn’t much yardage to Stanford either. Some here and there? Sure…. But a lot? No, not at all.