With the University of Miami set to play a crucial ACC game on Thursday night, Crystal Ball Run tracked down Joe Zagacki, radio voice of the Hurricanes, to answer Five Burning Questions:
What are your thoughts on the Hurricanes season to date?
My thoughts on the season so far are; I see progress. The team under Al Golden and his staff is getting better every week. I think they have a chance for a good season if they can get past Virginia. Boy has it been a roller coaster.
The close losses, the negativity surrounding the program because of the allegations made the start of the season stressful, but there has always been a sense of hope because Coach Golden has been so determined to get it right. I have been impressed with the way Jacory Harris has handled the offense 8 touchdowns and 1 interception in his last 3 games. Lamar Miller is one of the most electrifying players in the country and the defense has struggled, but they are a bunch of scrappers.
Offensive coordinator Jedd Fish has put together an enterprising offense and defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio has limited resources, but his guys are tackling by population and show a lot of pride in the red zone and that has kept Miami in games.
I think Miami has a chance for a strong finish to the season because it seems like they’re gaining some traction in what they do. The offense is executing at a good level and the defense is starting to understand the do your job mentality.
What are your overall thoughts on the match up versus the Virginia Cavaliers?
Virginia will be a tough matchup. The first thing Miami has to do is find a way to make Virginia a one dimensional team. If the Cavs have their power run game going combined with the play action and screen game it might get sticky for the Canes.
The Miami front seven is going to have to hold up physically against a very good Virginia offensive line.
On offense Miami has to get back to having success in the run game with Miller early in the game to set up their deep shots to Benjamin or Streeter. Virginia is a hard hitting defense that brings pressure so Miami needs to handle the pressure and finish their big plays in the end zone for touchdowns. I might add Miami is 10-0 on Thursday nights at home.
What grade would you give Al Golden in his first season in Miami?
I would give Al Golden an A+. He has been undaunted by the challenges of the Miami program – whether it be the suspensions, injuries or some other fire he has had to put out. I’ve said all along he has been a great face for the program especially in August when the Yahoo story broke. He was the calm in the storm. His vision is to build a program, not just a one hit wonder and do it in a first class way.
Right now he has Miami trending in the right direction. They have won 2 in a row, penalties are down, turnovers are down, red zone scoring is up. These are all improvements over last year.
Miami is playing with more passion and consistency. I really like what he is doing with the team and I love how he communicates to the media and fan base. Coach Golden knows how to make everyone feel like a million bucks. He is an outstanding communicator. He doesn’t offer excuses and is honest in his analysis of the team. The way he speaks makes doing the coaches show a lot more fun.
Facing an uncertain future how has the team remained focused and motivated?
I think the uncertainty of the program hurt the focus of the team when the story first hit because 95 percent of the players had nothing to do with it and didn’t understand it. It became easier to focus after the suspensions were handed out because it brought some clarity and it also forced some players on the field who may not have had a chance.
Over the last several weeks focus hasn’t been an issue. Coach Golden gets their attention with position competition, preaching to be the same player every day and Miami has played 7 straight weeks.
I do want to add that it seems most have taken the side of a convicted felon who is in prison for cheating a lot of smart people out of millions and Miami has not argued their case in the public so we don’t know how good or how lax Miami compliance was.
Is Lamar Miller the ACC Player of the Year?
I find it interesting that I can make a case for Lamar Miller as player of the year in the ACC, but through 7 weeks he hasn’t been named player of the week. I know Clemson has 2 good choices for player of the year, but here goes my argument for Miller.
He is 2nd in the ACC in rushing at 114 yards per game and his best games have come against two of the best run teams in the country. He carved up Ohio State for 184 yards and lacerated Virginia Tech for 166. Coming into the season Ohio State had allowed 10-100 yard rushers in
7 years and their run defense is always in the top 10. Stopping the run is the backbone of the Virginia Tech defense and Miller was sensational against them.
Miller also has 9 plays of 25 yards or more and he does his best work in the 2nd half, nearly 60 per cent of his career yards have come after halftime. If Miami is going to win 8 or 9 games this year it’s going to come on the shoulders and legs of Miller.
Follow Joe on Twitter @CanesVoice.
