Miami Hurricanes 4-0 Start is Far From Perfect
Depth is an issue on this team. Championship depth can absorb the blow to a key position and still maintain proficiency. Will Miami maintain its proficiency after injuries to key positions?
Miami’s running back depth took a huge step back with the season-ending injury to Mark Walton. You couple the fact that you did not bring in a freshman running back this season and it hurts. No. Robert Burns was not forgotten in that statement. But Burns at this point is a phantom glass enigma who reflects potential rather than a prospect.
Recent depth charts show defensive secondary starters Dee Delaney and Sheldrick Redwine officially out for the Georgia Tech game this Saturday. Robert Knowles gave up two touchdowns in Tallahassee in Redwine’s absence. Michael Jackson, the non-moon-walking one, looks to replace some of Dee Delaney’s snaps.
Miami does not have championship level depth and to date is not playing championship level defense. It has underachieved and not lived up to the preseason hype. Since the age-old adage is, “Defense Wins Championships” Miami obviously has some work to do.
An eventual Miami championship run will be accentuated by a dominating top ten defense. Take this into consideration. Going back to 2008, all national championship winning teams had top ten defenses minus two teams. (Ohio State the 19th ranked in 2014, Cam Newton’s Auburn Tigers the 60th ranked in 2010).