Canes Battered, But Are They Broken?

Kansas State Wildcats running back Angelo Pease (8) runs away from the Miami Hurricanes defense for a first down during a 52-13 Wildcat win at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. (Scott Sewell-US PRESSWIRE)

If Miami’s defense is “bad,” then they are overrated. As the 114th ranked D in the nation through two weeks, the unit has allowed over 1,000 yards of total offense in 120 minutes of play. They cannot tackle, pressure the quarterback, or cover receivers. There isn’t any evidence to suggest that this group will improve either. They were shredded in Miami’s fall scrimmage, embarrassed by Boston College, and dominated last weekend at Kansas State. We have confirmed that they are a liability and a short term turnaround is hard to imagine. A scheme modification or personnel adjustment isn’t going to change this fact. All we can do is wait. Wait for them to mature, study, play harder…whatever it is they currently lack. Right now, the Canes’ defense sucks. This is a fact until proven otherwise.

[Related: Miami Hurricanes Cold Hard Truth: Your Turn Offense]

Playing on the road against a ranked opponent was the Baby Canes first real “test.” Kansas Sate is a solid team with a Senior laden roster. Beating the Wildcats in Kansas is a tough task for almost any team, but it would have been an impressive feat for the young Canes. In losing, Miami may have failed, but there is a second part to this test that’s worth mentioning. How will the 2012 Hurricanes respond to their first brutal defeat?

When the Canes travel to Georgia Tech in two weeks, the real future of this program will begin to reveal itself. For some players, the trip to Atlanta looms over them. They dread their next game against a viable opponent. For others, September 22nd cannot arrive any faster. They are embarrassed and humbled, but like any true competitor, yearn to fight again. The latter mentality does not erase “52-13″ from its memory, it uses the experience as a stimulus for aggression, motivation, and growth. They tell the media “we have to improve” and then prove it on the field. These are the players that deserve to represent the colors that alumnus like Ray Lewis once wore.

The Canes’ defense, in particular, desperately needs these players to emerge. We have to hope that Coach Golden built this unit with competitors that respond positively to failure. If this is not the case, the worst is yet to come.

Gamedayr of the Galaxy >> R2DKEG

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