Author: Bob (Page 2 of 8)

The Miami Hurricanes have dropped out of the Top 25 poll for the first time in about seven years. The program is losing and losing big. Larry Coker, the Miami Head Coach, is feeling heat from the press and fans. The Miami fans have to feel that players are resorting back to the immature activity that gave the Hurricane program a bad name for many years.

Before their game with the Louisville Cardinals, the Canes gathered at midfield to stomp on the Cardinal emblem. This resulted in pushing and almost a pre-game fight. This is the type of activity Coker promised to avoid when he arrived in South Florida. Miami, after all the taunting, got hammered by the Cardinals.

The Miami Hurricane program knows to win and the fans won’t tolerate anything less. I believe Coach Coker is losing control of the players and program. He needs to command more respect and eliminate all the “trash talking” to bring this program back to the elite status it carried year in and year out.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish showed everyone they’re a top 5 team again by beating Penn State 41-17. Brady Quinn looked sharp and showed his skills that everyone expected to see in game one. The offense continued to mix the run and pass, which kept the Nittany Lions guessing most of the game.

The game was enjoyable to watch until Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis decide that he was going to rub it in Joe Paterno’s face. The Irish had the game won and the ball late in the third quarter. They faced a fourth and goal on the one and a half yard line. Notre Dame should’ve kicked the ball and taken a 30-3 lead into the fourth quarter. Weis went for it and scored as he walked the sideline and arrogantly smiled across the field. Weis apparently was offended by some pre-game comments by Joe Paterno about the Irish not joining the Big Ten.

Charlie Weis is a very talented coach that is being spoiled with Brady Quinn and company. He will learn quickly that respecting your opponent and players is something that you earn over the years. Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions certainly have earned this. I’m not sure the Weis has, and I think the next couple years he will live to regret these type of decisions if he continues to run up the score.

The Miami Hurricanes have for many years attempted to change the “bad guy” image the team inherited from past allegations and suspensions. When Larry Coker, the current head coach, took over 5 years ago his goal was to win and improve the “U”s image. Coker’s record is 53-9, but again the Hurricanes are making news. The home opener is next week against rival Florida State and 4 players are already suspended for the game.

The term “team violation” is becoming a popular reason for many of the players not taking the field on game day. Coker made some drastic changes in his staff during the off season, hiring 6 new assistants. He’s also given the media limited access to team practices. This is the first evidence that the Miami coach is feeling the pressure to win.

Miami starts the season with one of the toughest games of the year. It will be interesting to see how Coker and Hurricanes react if they lose their first game at home.