Miami football: National media response after Alabama loss
The Miami football team’s game against Alabama on Saturday was the second biggest of the weekend behind Clemson versus Georgia. Miami’s 44-13 loss to Alabama created a lot of reactions from the media and overreaction from the Hurricanes fanbase. The Miami coaching staff is focusing on Appalachian State.
Miami hosts Appalachian State on Saturday night. The Mountaineers won its season opener against East Carolina 31-19 in Charlotte. Miami will begin a run of four straight games at home against Appalachian State. The Hurricanes host Michigan State, Central Connecticut State and Virginia the following three weeks.
ESPN, 247 Sports and Paul Feinbaum all commented on the Miami blowout loss to Alabama. Most focused on the greatness of Alabama. Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz and most analysts have stated it is not fair to judge Miami based on their performance against Alabama. The Hurricanes have 11 regular-season games remaining.
Miami has a favorable schedule remaining the rest of the season. The Hurricanes host North Carolina State, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech in the final three home games of 2021. Miami travels to North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Florida State and Duke this season. All winnable games for Miami.
"Finebaum: I do think Alabama has a tough first half (of the season). They had three tough tasks. One is down. I’m not convinced…that anyone is going to challenge them.”"
Finebaum including Miami as one of three tough games with Florida looming for the Crimson Tide on September 18 is respecting the Hurricanes. Very few college football analysts are as well connected or experienced as Feinbaum. Miami is ranked 25th in the Power Rankings this week. A win over Appalachian State would help.
App St. coach Shawn Clark: "I didn't see any holes in their defense. Alabama made a lot more plays at the end. I know from a fan's perspective they see the score and think Miami is down. They're not down. Alabama's that good. Miami's got a talented football team, a lot of pride."
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) September 6, 2021
"25. Miami Hurricanes (0-1)Is it fair to judge the Canes considering the team they faced in Atlanta? Probably not. But that’s the gig, right, coach Manny Diaz? “College football is famous for overreactions after Week 1,” Diaz said.“That’s not what this team is all about. You just don’t get your story written after one game into the season. We’re just not there yet. The guys in the locker room, if anything, what happened today will bring them even closer together.”So will the schedule, with four straight home games, D’Eriq King’s first at Hard Rock Stadium (in front of a full crowd) and it begins with a tough one against Appalachian State. — (Ryan) McGee"
With only one week to measure teams, the opening games are overanalyzed and scrutinized. Only a handful of college football teams played their most challenging game of the season in the opening week. That is certainly the case for Miami. The Hurricanes have to remain focused each week and not suffer an Alabama hangover.
"Brandon Marcello 247 SportsWhat was saidManny Diaz, Miami coach: “College was famous for overreactions after Week 1, but that’s not what this team is all about. You don’t get your story written after one game into the season. We’re just not there yet.”What it actually meansDiaz has a point. Miami is not a bad team. The Hurricanes might even still be worthy of a top-10 ranking at the end of the season. Just as Texas A&M, which lost 52-24 to the Tide last season and still finished the season in the top 5 and had a legitimate argument to be included in the playoff.Still, the Hurricanes don’t look the part of a top-5 program. The talent and depth is just not there in the trenches. The ACC Coastal is wide open (again), and with poor line play being a them for the favorites in the division entering the season, the Hurricanes should still be in the thick of it later this season."
Miami is still a contender in the Coastal. The 17-10 win by Virginia Tech over North Carolina opened up the Coastal a bit more. Virginia Tech has to be considered a contender with Miami and North Carolina. The Hurricanes play on October 16 at the Tar Heels and host the Hokies on November 20.
The subpar offensive line play has been an issue for Miami for years. Wisconsin controlled the line of scrimmage in bowl game victories over Miami in 2017 and 2018. Miami has had good defensive line play since head coach Manny Diaz joined the Miami staff in 2016. Miami had 10 tackles for loss and one sack against Alabama.
Next. Miami not likely to fall far in rankings. dark
The Hurricanes cannot focus on the loss to Alabama or what the rest of the season can be. Appalachian State is a formidable team coming to Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday. It’s a cliche, but the Hurricanes can only beat the Mountaineers this week. Miami has 11 games left to make 2021 a very successful season.