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X’s and Ro Video Mailbag Series: Post UNC Blues

Is this the hardest schedule the canes have had the last 15 years? What is up with our tight ends and why are people always running wide open against this Manny Diaz defense? The fans had questions. We’ve got answers.

By Roman Marciante
Miami v North Carolina Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

When you are 2-4 on the season it is easy to lose sight of the positives. In this week’s X’s and Ro video mailbag series the questions focused on the why. Why is Tyler Van Dyke off to slow starts?

Van Dyke was 5 of 15 for 59 yards and two interceptions in the first half. But consider this, the Hurricanes only ran for a meager 21 yards on 11 caries in the first half. A freshman quarterback making his first road start could of used a safety blanket.

As Jaylen Knighton got going so in fact did the offense. A good running game is a quarterback’s best friend and it would behoove Rhett Lashlee and the offense to get it going sooner. But when you are the 12th best team in conference rushing the ball vs. FBS opponents that might be tough sledding.

Gregtober; The time of year when younger more talented players for the Miami Hurricanes materialize as better options than their more senior counterparts. Example: Gregory Rosseau, an eventual first round NFL talent, did not start until week six.

According to PFF when you apply a minimum of 150 snaps by a safety in FBS, Bubba Bolden ranks 336th nationally. At a 300 minimum snap count he ranks 183rd out of 197 players. Is Gregtober once again in bloom?

The tight end position at Miami seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. Will Mallory currently averages 12.5 yards a game with only 10 receptions this 2021 campaign. Brevin Jordan in 2020, despite only playing eight games, amassed 72 yards a game, 576 total and added seven receiving touchdowns.

The law of averages for tight end production when you were a primary 12 set team to an 11 set team is not on your side. You favored more two tight end sets last year and this year you do not. At this point however, it is safe to say that losing Brevin Jordan was a bigger hit than many anticipated.

Click on the full X’s and Ro video mailbag series here. The half way point of the season is upon us and the Hurricanes are reeling. But we will not go quietly into the night!!!