Toughest opponent for Miami football is themselves

It has been a topsy-turvy season for the Miami football team in 2019. Trying to project wins and losses in each game has been futile. The Hurricanes biggest opponent heading into the Independence Bowl against Louisiana Tech is themselves.

The Miami football team lost three games as at least a two-touchdown favorite in 2019. They conversely went 3-0 against the spread and 2-1 straight up as an underdog this season. When Miami plays to the level they are capable of we saw a good football team in wins against Florida State and Louisville.

The Hurricanes need that level of play in the bowl game against Louisiana Tech to avoid a postseason embarrassment for the second straight season. Miami lost the 2018  Pinstripe Bowl to Wisconsin 35-3 last season. That prompted former head coach Mark Richt to resign. Miami needs to show signs of life in Shreveport.

Losses to end the season against Florida International and Duke outraged the Miami fanbase. Many fans called for head coach Manny Diaz, athletic director Blake James and all or some of the Hurricanes coaching staff to be fired. In a Monday conference call, Diaz discussed that Miami needs to worry about themselves first.

When Diaz was hired in December 2018 he mentioned in his press conference a few days later than changing the culture and the standards of the Miami football program was essential. DIaz mentioned on Monday that too many of the players currently on the roster have not reached that standard.

"“It has to do with our standard. We are trying to establish a standard and that comes down to your habits, the way that you work and the way that guys are working now with coach Feeley while we are out recruiting. We have to define the consistency of performance. We want to be the same team week in and week out.”"

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Diaz was referring to strength and conditioning coach David Feeley. Feeley has been credited by Diaz in the last year for improving the workout habits of the players throughout the Miami football roster.  Miami has been anything but the same team week in week out in 2019. The Independence Bowl is a chance to change that.

Miami was a 10.5 point favorite when their matchup with Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl was announced. That line is already down to 7.5 according to the Action Network. The Miami football team has not given bettors a lot of reason to have confidence in them this season. The line being bet down quickly indicates that.

Manny Diaz spoke about Louisiana Tech‘s fanbase and the fact that the Bulldogs will be playing about 60 miles from their campus in Ruston. Diaz was the Louisiana Tech defensive coordinator in 2014.

"“They have a great fanbase there with a lot of tradition at that school. It should make for a great environment. They will have a ton of fans there and it will almost be like a road game [for us] but that is ok.I think it will be a good challenge for us and we understand we will have some adversity and that should have our attention for this game…I have a lot of respect for )Louisiana Tech head coach) Skip [Holtz] and I have a lot of fond memories from my time in Ruston, Louisiana.”"

Playing in what should be a hostile environment in a bowl game the Miami football players have no reason to show up in Shreveport flat. Finishing the season with three straight losses for the second time in three seasons is not up to Miami standards. The 2017 team had a cushion with a 10 game winning streak.

Miami needs a win in the Independence Bowl to avoid becoming the first Miami football team since 2014 with a losing record. That Hurricanes team ironically finished the season 6-7 and lost to South Carolina in the Independence Bowl. Losing to an SEC team is much different than losing to a Conference USA team.