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The Miami Hurricanes headed into the bye week on a three-game win streak after a 52-27 shredding of the Louisville Cardinals. Jarren Williams’ record-setting 6 TD performance stole the show and surged the hurricanes into the 13-day break with momentum and excitement. Williams wasn’t the only Cane to receive accolades after the overwhelming victory. Michael Pinckney’s stellar Senior Day performance garnered him attention and praise. He was named ACC linebacker of the week. Usually, a bye week provides teams with the ability to rest up, hit the recruiting trail, and self-scout. At breaks in the season, fans also begin to ask themselves questions about the team’s direction and areas of improvement. Whether you’re spending your days reminding FSU fans about their coaching search, talking Orange Bowl memories, or gearing up for the showdown with the FIU Panthers, the wait is almost over. Here are some of the hot topics and things Canes fans got into while waiting for the next Hurricanes battle on the gridiron.
Reminding other Fans Bases about their Ls
What’s the point of winning if you don’t talk about it? From running up on FSU fans in Tallahassee to rocking Canes gear proudly in Louisville, the win streak has been the gift that keeps on giving. I don’t know if you are aware, but the Miami Hurricanes beat the Florida State Seminoles by 17 points. It also helps when you can remind Lousiville commits to look at the scoreboard.
#CanesFam I’ll be in Louisville tomorrow and Tuesday for business. Do I walk into the Cardinal Cafe for dinner with #Canes gear on?
— EZ (@EZCANES) November 10, 2019
— jawn wick (@D1fferentCash) November 15, 2019
Don’t let Myles Garrett distract you from the fact that the Miami Hurricanes beat the Florida State Seminoles by 17 points in their stadium, and got their coach fired costing FSU and their boosters nearly $20 million to buy him out.
— GO ‘CANES! (@83_87_89_91_01) November 15, 2019
Pointing Out Where the Team has Improved
I dont care what anybody says that offense looks different when mfs actually execute.. that balance is hard to stop on O, still want Manny running my defense tho https://t.co/YBJqRNQ4dC
— Jay (@JCane_5) November 11, 2019
The Hurricanes are averaging a whopping 31.7 points during their three-game winning streak. With more continuity in the offensive line, the boost in pass protection has allowed Jarren Williams to throw for 566 yards and 8 TDs in his past two games. Creativity in the offense is coming along and Williams is beginning to hit Dee Wiggins, Michael Harley, and several others on the explosive plays the Canes lacked early in the year. Since Manny Diaz reclaimed aspects of the defense, that side of the ball has also tightened up.
Remaining Lukewarm with Expectations
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Some people aren’t riding the confidence wave during the win streak. Having tempered expectations is reasonable when considering the ups and downs of the season. Although we have shown marked improvement on both sides of the ball, there are still several places where this team can be better. With two winnable games left in the regular season, some fans may not be convinced until we face another tough opponent.
The Championship Shuffle
Hold my beer... pic.twitter.com/fyYf4Hxlkp
— Tyriq La Flare (@Riq_The_Freak) November 14, 2019
Y’all missing the point of this game... the ACCCG is a crap shoot, we should be rooting for UNC because they would give PITT a 4th loss, knocking them out of the coastal race AND the potential OB bid... OB Bid is what we should be watching for. #Canes.
— CaneCast Kev (@Smith31Kev) November 15, 2019
I've seen the complex formulas for the #canes getting into the acccg and I'll be honest... I haven't once thought it was possible or worth getting hopes up over
— rOmaN (@Romancane) November 15, 2019
Reality is they got better a little too late.4th and 17 and a loss to a rebuilding GT team were calamitous catalysts
If you spent the bye week doing the math and running the numbers on the Canes’ chances of winning the ACC Coastal, then you’re not alone. Other fans and analyst took things further and projected the path the Hurricanes could take to get a berth in the ACC title game. The scenario deck was reshuffled again once the North Carolina Tar Heels lost to the Pittsburgh Panthers on Thursday night. While I would love to see Jarren Williams, DeeJay Dallas, Gregory Rousseau, and the Canes blow the doors off of Bank of America Stadium, I just don’t see that happening.
Looking Forward to FIU
Gotta put 60 points on fiu for the culture. This is such a terrible idea playing in marlins park.
— A1 KEN (@noloveken) November 14, 2019
The return of the Butch Davis has sparked things and made the sputtering rivalry between the Miami Hurricanes and the FIU Panthers marginally entertaining. Earlier in the week, Davis claimed that former Canes have reached out to him for “free tickets” to the game. He took things questionably further when he stated the former players would wear blue and gold (FIU colors) at the game. This may be a ploy to fan the flames before the matchup or a variation of the truth. I just don’t think any self-respecting Hurricane would every rock any other colors.
We’ll always have great memories of Butch including his last Hurricanes game. He orchestrated a 52-6 dismantling of the Boston College Eagles in the Orange Bowl. However Saturday, it’s war!
How do you think the Canes will close out the season? Which of the bowl scenarios intrigues you the most? Who do you think needs to step up over the next three games?