Bill Curry, College Football 21y

Florida-Miami about state of mind

I have a funny feeling about this game.

Thousands of words are being written about it, and I have read most of them. Conspicuous by its absence is the word rivalry. This for a game played by intra-state universities, teams which share recruiting territory, have high school teammates on their respective squads, and who claim to have the "good, clean hatred" such factors engender.

This for a series that is virtually even, with Miami holding a slight 26-25-1 edge. This for a series featuring programs that are perennial contenders for BCS inclusion.

What it means is that coaches and players are not talking rivalry; it means the competitive edge has been taken off by Miami's dominance of college football, including the last two Florida-Miami contests, won by the Hurricanes by a combined score of 78-36. It means both coaches face unique challenges preparing their teams.


Game Plan: No. 18 Florida
Offense:

  • Be daring. Turn Chris Leak loose and let the chips fall where they may.

  • The running game with Carthon can emerge if the quick pace is effective.

  • Let tight end Ben Troupe catch and block. He is capable of being a key.
    Defense:

  • Play on Charlie Strong's rapport with players. He can get them to go beyond!

  • Use Ray McDonald's quickness to disrupt the running game. Hit the gaps.

  • Get after Berlin early and often. See if he can handle pressure.
    Special Teams:

  • Much improvement is evident thus far. Solid play must continue.

  • K Matt Leach and P Eric Wilbur are off to a good start. Good mechanics!

  • Emphasize lane integrity. Rolle is a great returner!.
    Players:

  • No more talk. You sound foolish.

  • No matter how hard training camp was, you will not out-condition UM.

  • Cut loose, have fun, and make things happen!
    Coaches:

  • Teach the players about the futility of loose talk.

  • Continue special teams improvement at all costs.

  • Hit the penalty thing hard, reduce from last week's seven.

  • Larry Coker is now 25-1 in his coaching career and just won the opener at Louisiana Tech 48-9. As strange it sounds, I thought the Hurricanes looked somehow vulnerable. I did not see anyone who resembled Ken Dorsey in the leadership category. I did not see anyone that played football like Willis McGahee or Andre Johnson. Jonathan Vilma actually played a little despite injury, but and he didn't look like Jonathan Vilma.

    I did see Kellen Winslow do a Heisman pose in a game in which he did very little, and I saw new wide receiver Ryan Moore celebrate despite dropping balls right and left. Larry Coker has no doubt corrected the vaudeville acts by now, but he has to find a way of reaching inside the psyche of his team to let them know this game with Florida could be competitive. In fact, it could be downright rivalrous.

    Strangely, starting guard Vernon Carey turned an ankle in warm-ups and freshman Alex Pou had to play most of the game against Tech. More strangely, the offense produced virtually nothing between its first possession and late in the third quarter. The big score was the result of Louisiana Tech turnovers, two of which were returned for touchdowns, and a punt return for a touchdown.

    Maybe Brock Berlin, Ryan Moore, and Frank Gore will be superstars and make us forget their famous predecessors. Maybe Winslow will be as great as his famous father. Maybe Jonathan Vilma will be himself this week. Maybe, but not yet.

    Remember, the Hurricanes spent the offseason being reminded that an official's call is the only thing separating them from a second consecutive national championship and a 39-game winning streak. Whether or not one agrees with that premise, those college kids believe it. Within that belief resides Florida's only chance to win.

    Confidence with a great football team is a delicate balance. It is well nigh indestructible while the unit is intact, but let it get out of hand, turn to arrogance, and a decent, inspired opponent can create a nightmare. Larry Coker understands this, but every college football team is an entirely new creation, assembled and trained by a coaching staff, but psychologically geared to team leaders. This Miami team has not been tested sufficiently to determine whether or not it has real leadership.

    Florida is intimidated by Miami. For the first time in thirteen years the Gators were unranked in the Associated Press preseason poll. As Shannon Snell makes big talk about busting Brock Berlin in the mouth (Snell plays offense, by the way!), defensive end Bobby McCray trumpets his notion that Frank Gore is not close to Willis McGahee.

    McCray is remembering the 41-16 drubbing in the Swamp last year, a game in which Florida yielded 307 yards rushing. He is remembering that the circumstances were almost identical, with each team coming off an easy opener. He is recalling big blockers in his face and in his chest. He and his team are remembering the embarrassment and hoping to talk themselves into a better state of mind this time.


    Game Plan: No. 3 Miami
    Offense:

  • Consistency will be required. Make every drive count.

  • Work with Berlin on caring for the football. Make it paramount to secure it.

  • Kellen Winslow: less posturing, more production.
    Defense:

  • Jonathan Vilma, go only if you are full speed. Otherwise stay out and heal!

  • Secondary, clamp Kight and the other WRs. Shut them down.

  • Disguise to confuse the young quarterbacks. Make them think!
    Special Teams:

  • K Jon Peattie, practice under pressure. Get ready for noise.

  • P Brian Monroe, your hang time will be a major factor. Get the ball up!

  • Antrel Rolle, keep your torrid pace with the returns.
    Players:

  • Eliminate the dumb penalties. Ten is too many!

  • Vilma and Vince Wilfork, you are the leaders now.

  • Sell the fact that your conditioning will pay off in the fourth quarter.
    Coaches:

  • Jump on the penalty thing with both feet. No gifts.

  • Jump on the celebration and Heisman thing as well. No individuals!

  • Make the players understand this will be for real, physical and four quarters.

  • The Hurricanes' response? No response. Brock Berlin chuckled and said he loved his former teammates. Jonathan Vilma said, "That's just stupid." Each of those could not have been better calculated to send another tremor down the spines of the Gators.

    Even Coach Zook's statement that "The talent gap is closing," admits that there is a big difference in the ability of the squads. He could have said something like, "We are plenty good enough to beat these guys!" He didn't say that. He inadvertently planted another seed of doubt in his doubting Thomases.

    Zook said, "We have to make vast improvement this week." What does that mean? How does a team make vast improvement in one week? It does not. What can change that quickly is the mindset and focus of a young squad.

    Zook's players believe in him. He has proven coordinators with marvelous systems. He has time to go to each key player, to have him understand how much fun this kind of game can be. Coordinators Charlie Strong and Ed Zaunbrecher are plenty good enough to reinforce the head coach and have these youngsters raring for a fight by Saturday.

    In short, the key to this game is the psychological condition of the squads at kickoff.

    Miami's coaches and leaders must make their squad prepare for a real battle, then fight one.

    Their counterparts from Gainseville must go into to the game like gangbusters and let'er rip, use every weapon at their disposal, play from the beginning as if they are 14 points behind, and have fun.

    Florida must score in the kicking game, score on turnovers, make big plays on offense and defense, and then hold on for dear life when Miami makes its run.

    Last year Florida State went after Miami in such a manner, had them down 27-14 in the fourth quarter in the Orange Bowl, then allowed two late touchdowns to Dorsey and company. The Seminoles then made a valiant drive and watched a "wide left" field goal attempt go awry at the final gun. They lost but at least gave themselves a chance to win.

    The "game within the game" for this one is in the heads of the players and coaches. The clock is ticking, and the question is who will reach and teach better? Therein lies the inner game of football so few bother to understand.

    ESPN college football analyst Bill Curry coached for 17 years in the college ranks. His Game Plans for marquee matchups appear each week during the college football season.

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