Is Miami a great team? No… They are not – at the moment. They have some flaws, but what they are is 5-0, and they are going to be ranked in the top 10 next week. Miami makes clutch plays late in games. That’s why they are the ACC’s only undefeated team. The margin between a team that could have special season and 6-6 often is the ability to close out games.
That’s what separates Miami from their opponent Saturday Georgia Tech. Miami has two 4th quarter comebacks, Georgia Tech sits 3-2 with two 4th quarter collapses. Miami converts a 4th down on a deflected pass. Georgia Tech drops a critical third down pass.
We saw this in 2013 when Auburn reached the national title game, with some late game good fortune in wins over Georgia and Alabama. As recently as last year we know Clemson got away with a sure loss against NC State and then went on to win the national title. Some might call it lucky, and sometimes it is. I also think you make a lot of your own luck and you have to be impressed with Miami’s late game poise.
The quarterback Malik Rosier has now led Miami one two straight 4th quarter game winning drives. This is a team that’s learning how to win again under Rosier and Mark Richt.
That’s how a program gets really turned around. Miami is winning the close games, and recruiting well. They are probably still a couple of years from truly looking like a true playoff team, but the past 1 1/2 years prove the Canes are continuing to move in the right direction.
These two late game wins over Florida State and Georgia Tech leave Miami in great position in the Coastal Division. There’s still a game to contend with against Virginia Tech, but this could be year the Cane’s breakthrough.
Mark Richt has turned the Canes from a team that often struggled in close games to one that now believes and is actually winning these close games.
Cardiac Canes prevail! pic.twitter.com/5Sz6wp2Evq
— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) October 14, 2017
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