Miami Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Savannah State in Week 2
2. It’s a close first quarter
Regardless of the new indoor practice facility being erected in Coral Gables or the Miami heat that’s supposed to be the difference between the Hurricanes conditioning and everyone else- Miami was the team that looked sloppy and out of shape. The Hurricanes looked tired, even early on, and committed 11 penalties over the course of the game. Penalties, turnovers, cramping timeouts and substitution errors are the staple of a team that’s both out of shape and out coached.
The Hurricanes won’t have the confidence or polish to put away Savannah State early. The first quarter will be much closer than anticipated because Malik Rosier can’t command a quality drive with his inaccuracy and poor decision making. Marry those flaws with false start penalties and a lack of depth and Miami might escape the first quarter with a 10-3 lead. The ‘Canes will have to prove to fans and the media alike that they are a well coached football program.
The offensive line doesn’t help Miami’s cause. The Hurricanes men in the trenches looked overweight, out of shape, and sluggish against the LSU Tigers defense. LSU is a really good football team, but the Tigers shouldn’t be head and shoulders above Miami when it comes to physical preparation to play a football game in week one.
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The offensive playmakers are there, just look at the yards per catch on Brian Hightower (32), Jeff Thomas (26.4) and Lawrence Cager (21). The top two running backs, Deejay Dallas and Travis Homer, both eclipsed four yards per carry as well. The issue is Rosier being unable to convert on third downs for the past year and change.
Eventually Miami will roll over the Tigers but it won’t be the type of first quarter domination we saw from the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Louisville Cardinals.