How Does Miami Handle Success, Then Temple?
Article photo of Miami wide receiver Jacolby George; photo credit to Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports.
The Miami Hurricanes continue to be on point through three games. A 3-0 record, just three turnovers, consistently making clutch plays, and a huge win over SEC foe Texas A&M, represent some of the areas the Canes are doing well.
Now that the Hurricanes are making significant progress, there’s the chance to fall back. That would be if they allow it to happen. You see, it’s about Miami going away from what is allowing this season to start off so well.
The coaching staff and players are obviously on the same page right now. Each game is its own entity though.
Do not listen to the outside noise. That’s especially the case with a Temple team that Miami should beat Temple soundly this Saturday.
If the Hurricanes do evade the mental distractions, play well, and then come away with another victory, this team will likely be squarely inside the Associated Press Poll top 20 this next Sunday afternoon.
That’s because it will earn it. Here are three areas that will likely tell everyone if Miami is staying on task versus Temple, and it will be by the middle of the first quarter – at the latest – that these categories are being seen.
1) Avoiding special teams blunders.
The Canes did not start well versus the Aggies in this area and it still did not change the win-loss record. That does not mean getting another punt blocked and/or dropping an additional punt inside its own 10 yard line. Been there already, now learn from it.
When teams with the talent that Miami possesses falter against mid-level competition, special teams are often a primary culprit. The Hurricanes cannot allow that to happen against the Owls. It’s almost always a mental error that causes special teams disasters, too.
2) Assignment-sound on both sides of the football.
Again, Miami has the talent advantage. It’s not even about winning. Miami could probably play average and still win. That’s not a trend to start right before ACC play, however.
Run-gap fits being correct, running routes properly, Tyler Van Dyke being patient with his passing progressions, the list goes on and on. If Miami shows it can be on task this Saturday, that’s not only leading to a big win, but also a sign that this squad is truly staying on task regardless of the opposition.
3) Drop the hammer when chances are there.
This is what great teams do.
It is likely that Miami starts to build a lead prior to the middle of the second quarter, if not before. When that comes to fruition, do not let up. Temple makes an error, capitalize; do not allow the Owls off the hook.
Miami must continue to show a killer mentality just like when Van Dyke threw that dart to wide receiver Jacolby George versus A&M. It works on both sides of the football.
For instance, if there’s a poorly thrown pass by Temple’s E.J. Warner (52.5% completion rate), a Canes defender must pick it off. No drops with an easy pick! Same with a fumble recovery opportunity. If Temple wants to give Miami an easy touchdown with a coverage bust, that’s something The U must also grab with open arms.
The Hurricanes should win this game going away. It’s simply the far superior ball club. If Miami comes in with focus this should be a game it wins going away.
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Fan Nation High school football recruiting analyst covering the state of Florida, as well as across the Southeastern United States and the state of Texas.