It’s green helmet week. I don’t know about you, but I’m not too keen on the new Nike Pro Combat unis. They look like something the Oregon Duck threw up after eating a bunch of carrots. But there is a semi-important college football game to be played this Saturday at Joe Robbie Stadium Sun Life Stadium. It’s too bad Georgia Tech couldn’t win in Blacksburg, as that would have made this game a virtual fight for the Coastal crown. Or, for that matter, too bad Miami couldn’t beat a crappy Virginia team like they should have. Instead, Canes fans will have to settle for a chance to beat the Hokies and creep into the Top 20.I get the feeling that these November Hurricanes are a much different team than the one we saw earlier this year. A lot has changed. For one, there is a new quarterback. Secondly – and most importantly – the offensive line is gelling, resulting in much different play calling. 70% run versus Maryland…72% run versus Georgia Tech. It’s not rocket science, people. Seantrel is living up to expectations…Brandon Linder is contributing. And offensive coordinator Mark Whipple has realized that – with a true freshman quarterback – this is our only hope (I just hope he maintains that mentality if/when Jacory comes back).
But make no mistake, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster‘s defense is not Maryland or Georgia Tech. Miami will have to not only run the ball, but play well on special teams – a unit that has been underachieving this year.
Here is what Canes Pundit will be looking out for:
- Special Teams. This used to be an asset for the Canes, but with missed extra points and huge gains yielded on returns, it is a liability. We all know the damage Frank Beamer’s teams do on special teams. Bosher needs to get rid of punts quickly and get field goal attempts airborne fast.
- Berry and Miller. These two need to put up decent numbers. Without it, Miami will be hard pressed to win. The offensive line has been playing lights out (and has been limiting penalties) and Virginia Tech’s rush defense gives up a healthy 4.7 yards per carry.
- Virginia Tech CB Jayron Hosley. Hosley leads the nation with 7 interceptions. Interesting side note? 6 of those have come on the road. That, combined with facing a true freshman quarterback, could spell trouble for the Canes. Stephen Morris better be aware of where #20 is at all times.
- The uniforms. Man, I’m all for throw back jerseys and helmets (the only time I don’t completely hate the New England Patriots is when they wear the old minuteman helmets), but I don’t know about this futuristic Nike Pro 
Combat crap. Green helmets? That’s sacrilegious. I still am not over the fact that the Dolphins changed their 80s/90s logo to this new angry cartoon dolphin. And yes, I know that the Hurricanes wore the green helmets in the 70s. Besides, this one game experiment is just a reason for Nike to pimp more jerseys for $79.99. C’mon Phil Knight. Didn’t you make enough money by hiring 8 yr old Vietnamese children to make your sneakers instead of Americans?
Combat crap. Green helmets? That’s sacrilegious. I still am not over the fact that the Dolphins changed their 80s/90s logo to this new angry cartoon dolphin. And yes, I know that the Hurricanes wore the green helmets in the 70s. Besides, this one game experiment is just a reason for Nike to pimp more jerseys for $79.99. C’mon Phil Knight. Didn’t you make enough money by hiring 8 yr old Vietnamese children to make your sneakers instead of Americans?Alright, alright…so the past two weeks we predicted narrow losses for the Canes and they won. This time, we actually think they’re gonna win. Tyrod Taylor is not going to have all day to throw the ball…Miami has the nation’s #3 pass defense…and Virginia Tech’s D has shown that it has difficulty stopping the run. But, we are going to use reverse psychology in the hopes of another Canes win.
Official Prediction: Virginia Tech 23, Miami 20
Quick Hits: Eva Longoria is divorcing Tony Parker due to irreconcilable differences, which is another term for ‘he’s banging Brent Barry’s wife.’….Not sure what to think of the VT -2 spread for this week’s game. I do like the Rams +3.5 vs the Falcons. And I gotta think that Georgia State can stay within 57.5 points of Bama. All they need is one or two scores, right?….I like Sergio Martinez to upset Paul Williams this week. Next week’s Marquez-Katsidis fight might be the best of the year….Damien Berry needs 237 yards in these last two games to get to 1,000 yards on the season….Speaking of projections, f’n Philip Rivers is on pace for 5,234 passing yards this year. Marino’s record is 5,084. Hell, even Kyle Orton is almost on pace to break it. If that record gets broken, it should have a larger asterisk than Barry Bonds’. The game has changed so much, primarily due to the illegal contact penalties on defenders…..So Tiger Woods is on Twitter now? Dude, if there’s one guy that shouldn’t be shootin texts off to the world, it’s that guy. I’ve read some of your old texts, Eldrick. Those things weren’t NC-17, they were NC-35.
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