In My Mind

(UPDATED: September 7, 2005)

MIAMI LOST 7-10 (Record: Overall 0-1; Conf. 0-1) Miami down to No. 14 in USA Today Top 25 Poll.

Miami's Ryan Moore makes a second quarter touchdown catch over Kyler Hall
For more photos go here

Miami is idle next week.

(UPDATED: September 19, 2005)
GAME 2: Sept. 17 MIAMI (13) at Clemson (23)

MIAMI WON 36-30(3OT) (1-1; 1-1) MIAMI up one slot to No. 12 in USA Today Top 25 Poll.

Tyrone Moss dives into the end zone to score the winning touchdown against Clemson' s Jamaal Fudge.

For more game photos go here

(UPDATED: September 27, 2005)
GAME 3: Sept. 24 MIAMI (12) hosting Colorado

MIAMI WON 23-3 (2-1; 1-1) Miami moves to No 10 in USA Today Top 25 Poll.

Kyle Wright scoring a 2-yard run touchdown.


For more photos go here.

(UPDATED: October 3, 2005)
Game 4: Oct. 1 Miami (10) hosting South Florida 8:pm

MIAMI WON 27-7 (3-1; 1-1) Miami moves to No 8 in USA Today Top 25 Poll.

(UPDATED: October 10, 2005)
Game 5: Oct. 8 Miami(8) hosting Duke 3:30pm

MIAMI WON 52-7 (4-1; 2-1) Miami moves to No. 6 in USA Today Top 25 Poll.

For photo go here

(UPDATED: October 17, 2005)
Game 6: Oct. 15 Miami(6) at Temple 1:00 p.m.
MIAMI WON 34-3 (5-1;2-1)

Miami stays at no. 6 in USA Today Top 25 and ranked no. 8 in BCS ranking which taking into account USA Today Top 25, Harris Interactive Top 25 and 6 computer rankings average. Miami suffers in the computer ranking where 2 polls ranked Miami at 11 points out of 25, and one poll each with 12, 13, 14, and 18 points. BCS poll is as follows;

1. Southern California
2. Texas
3. Virginia Tech
4. Georgia
5. Alabama
6. LSU
7. Texas Tech
8. MIAMI
9. UCLA
10. Penn State
11. Florida State
12. Boston College
13. Oregon
14. Wisconsin
15. Ohio State
16. Notre Dame
17. West Virginia
18. Auburn
19. Tennessee
20. Florida
21. TCU
22. Minnesota
23. Nebraska
24. Michigan State
25. California

(Note: Unbeatens are in red)

Hopefully next week (20-22/10), Miami can move up at least by one spot. I am expecting Texas(6-0) to beat Texas Tech(6-0), and hoping for Tennessee(3-2) to beat Alabama(6-0). It would also be good is UCLA(6-0) to lose to Oregon State(4-2) and LSU(4-1) to lose to Auburn(5-1).

(UPDATED: October 25, 2005)
Due to Hurricane Wilma, Miami has posponed their game with Georgia Tech. Miami will play GT on Nov. 19, and moved game with Wake Forest to Nov. 12. As of October 25, 2005 The latest BCS Ranking is as follows;

1. Texas (7-0) (Remaining games: Oklahoma State, Baylor, Kansas, Texas A&M)
2. USC (7-0) (Washington State, Stanford, California, Fresno State, UCLA)
3. Virginia Tech (7-0) (Boston College, Miami, Virginia, North Carolina)
4. Georgia (7-0) (Florida, Auburn, Kentucky, Georgia Tech)
5. Alabama (7-0) (Utah State, Mississippi State, LSU, Auburn)
6. UCLA (7-0) (Stanford, Arizona, Arizona State, USC)
7. MIAMI (5-1) (North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Virginia)
8. LSU (5-1) (North texas, Appalachian State, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas)
9. Penn State (7-1) (Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan State)
10. Florida State (6-1) (Maryland, NC State, Clemson, Florida)
11. Oregon (7-1) (California, Washington State, Oregon State)
12. Wisconsin (7-1) (Illinois, Penn State, Iowa, Hawaii)
13. Ohio State (5-2) (Minnesota, Illinois, Northwestern, Michigan)
14. Boston College (6-1) (Virginia Tech, North Carolina, NC State, Maryland)
15. Notre Dame (5-2) (Tennessee, Navy, Syracuse, Stanford)
16. Texas Tech (6-1) (Baylor, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma)
17. West Virginia (6-1) (Connecticut, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, South Florida)
18. TCU (7-1) (San Diego State, Colorado State, UNLV)
19. Florida (5-2) (Georgia, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Florida State)
20. Minnesota (5-2) (Ohio State, Indiana, Michigan State, Iowa)
21. Northwestern (5-2) (Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, Illinois)
22. Auburn (5-2) (Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama)
23. California (6-2) (Oregon, USC, Stanford)
24. Colorado (5-2) (Kansas State, Missouri, Iowa State, Nebraska)
25. Michigan (5-3) (Northwestern, Indiana, Ohio State)

(Note: Unbeatens are in red)
Next week, I not expecting any upsets to happen, but wishing for Florida to beat Georgia and Stanford to beat UCLA. Also I prefer for VT to remain unbeaten for another week until the game with Miami. Texas will meet Oklahoma State(3-4); USC vs. Washington State(3-4); Virginia Tech vs. Boston College(6-1); Georgia vs. Florida(5-2); Alabama vs. Utah State(2-4); and UCLA vs. Stanford(4-2).

Game 7: Oct. 29 Miami(6) hosting North Carolina

MIAMI WON 34-16. Miami now is 6-1; 3-1. UM was trailing 7-16 during half-time.

UM revived the old jersey for this game. After the game, the jersey will be auctioned off.

The photo above showed the back-in-time-jersey wore by UM players (Miami defensive back Brandon Meriweather, left, celebrates with Quadtrine Hill after Hill picked up a blocked punt for a touchdown in the third quarter). The Hurricanes wore circa-1967, kelly green-and-gold throwback uniforms. In the first half, literally and figuratively, they looked nothing like their usual selves.

"I don't know when's the last time Miami had a terrible season and looked terrible on the field," Miami coach Larry Coker said. "But that first half, that might have been a throwback to that time."

Miami moved to No. 5 in USA Today Top 25 Poll after georgia lost to Florida.

(UPDATED: November 02, 2005)
As of October 31, 2005 BCS ranking are as follows;

1. USC (8-0) (Remaining games: Stanford, California, Fresno State, UCLA)
2. Texas (8-0) (Baylor, Kansas, Texas A&M)
3. Virginia Tech (8-0) (Miami, Virginia, North Carolina)
4. Alabama (8-0) (Mississippi State, LSU, Auburn)
5. UCLA (8-0) (Arizona, Arizona State, USC)
6. MIAMI (6-1) (Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Virginia)
7. Penn State (8-1) (Wisconsin, Michigan State)
8. LSU (6-1) (Appalachian State, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas)
9. Florida State (7-1) (NC State, Clemson, Florida)
10. Ohio State (6-2) (Illinois, Northwestern, Michigan)
11. Georgia (7-1) (Auburn, Kentucky, Georgia Tech)
12. Wisconsin (8-1) (Penn State, Iowa, Hawaii)
13. Oregon (7-1) (California, Washington State, Oregon State)
14. Notre Dame (5-2) (Tennessee, Navy, Syracuse, Stanford)
15. Texas Tech (7-1) (Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma)
16. Florida (6-2) (Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Florida State)
17. West Virginia (6-1) (Connecticut, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, South Florida)
18. TCU (8-1) (Colorado State, UNLV)
19. Boston College (6-2) (North Carolina, NC State, Maryland)
20. Auburn (6-2) (Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama)
21. Michigan (6-3) (Indiana, Ohio State)
22. Colorado (6-2) (Missouri, Iowa State, Nebraska)
23. California (6-2) (Oregon, USC, Stanford)
24. Fresno State (6-1) (San Jose State, Boise State, USC, Nevada, Lousiana Tech)
25. OKlahoma (5-3) (Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State)

( Unbeatens are in red)
I am really praying for Miami to beat Virginia Tech. Also hoping for Stanford(4-3) to upset USC, Arizona(2-6) to beat UCLA (eventhough it is just a wishful thinking), and another wishful thinking for Mississippi State(2-6) to be Alabama.

Game 8: Nov. 5 Miami(5) at Virginia Tech(3)

(UPDATE: November 06 10:44am GMT+8)

Miami is leading 10-0 at halftime. UCLA already lost to Arizona 52-14, FSU lost to NC State 20-15 and Boston College lost to North Carolina 16-14.

(UPDATED: 12:14pm)

MIAMI TRASHED VIRGINIA TECH 27-7. Miami is now 7-1;4-1.

Next week Miami will play Wake Forest, USC will play California(6-3), Texas will play Kansas(5-4), Alabama will play LSU (7-1). Hoping for LSU to end Alabama unbeaten run and Califronia to beat USC. Kansas has no chance against Texas.

(UPDATED: November 08 4:15AM)

Latest BCS ranking as of Nov. 07 is as follows:

1. USC (9-0) (Remaining games: California, Fresno State, UCLA)
2. Texas (9-0) (Kansas, Texas A&M)
3. Alabama (9-0) (LSU, Auburn)
4. MIAMI (7-1) (Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Virginia)
5. Penn State (9-1) (Michigan State)
6. Virginia Tech(8-1) (Virginia, North Carolina)
7. LSU (7-1) (Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas)
8. Ohio State (7-2) (Northwestern, Michigan)
9. Georgia (7-1) (Auburn, Kentucky, Georgia Tech)
10. Oregon (8-1) (Washington State, Oregon State)
11. Notre Dame (6-2) (Navy, Syracuse, Stanford)
12. Texas Tech (8-1) (Oklahoma State, Oklahoma)
13. Florida (7-2) (South Carolina, Florida State)
14. West Virginia (7-1) (Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, South Florida)
15. UCLA (8-1) (Arizona State, USC)
16. Wisconsin (8-2) (Iowa, Hawaii)
17. TCU (9-1) (UNLV)
18. Colorado (7-2) (Iowa State, Nebraska)
19. Florida State (7-2) (Clemson, Florida)
20. Auburn (7-2) (Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama)
21. Michigan (6-3) (Indiana, Ohio State)
22. Fresno State (7-1) (Boise State, USC, Nevada, Louisiana Tech)
23. Georgia Tech (6-2) (Virginia, Miami, Georgia)
24. Minnesota (6-3) (Michigan State, Iowa)
25. Louisville (6-2) (Rutgers, Syracuse, Connecticut)

( Unbeatens are in red)

To be safe, I am wishing for Penn State to lose to Michigan State, Alabama to LSU, USC to California, and Texas to Kansas.

Game 9: Nov. 12 Miami(4) at Wake Forest 7:30 p.m.

MIAMI Beat Wake Forest 47-17. I am in cloud nine that LSU finished off Alabama 16-13 in OT. USC won by beating California 35-10 and Texas win big against Kansas 66-14.

Now I am rooting for Texas A&M (against Texas on 25/11/05). Fresno State is too weak to pose any challenge against USC. I think Texas will will against Texas A&M and also will beat Colorado on December 03 against Colorado (which they beat earlier in the season). USC still have UCLA two weeks after the Fresno State game. Miami needs either Texas or USC to fall in order to have a shot at Championship Game at Rose Bowl.

(UPDATED: NOVEMBER 14, 2005)

Miami moves to no. 3 in USA TODAY Top 25, Harris, and AP polls. The BCS poll is as follows:

1. USC (10-0) (Remaining games: Fresno State, UCLA)
2. Texas (10-0) (Texas A&M)
3. MIAMI (8-1) (Georgia Tech, Virginia)
4. Penn State (9-1) (Michigan State)
5. LSU (8-1) (Mississippi, Arkansas)
6. Virginia Tech (8-1) (Virginia, North Carolina)
7. Ohio State (8-2) (Michigan)
8. Alabama (9-1) (Auburn)
9. Notre Dame (7-2) (Syracuse, Stanford)
10. Oregon (9-1) (Oregon State)
11. UCLA (9-1) (USC)
12. West Virginia (8-1) (Pittsburgh, South Florida)
13. Auburn (8-2) (Alabama)
14. TCU (10-1)
15. Michigan (7-3) (Ohio State)
16. Georgia (7-2) (Kentucky, Georgia Tech)
17. Fresno State (8-1) (USC, Nevada, Louisiana Tech)
18. Louisville (7-2) (Syracuse, Connecticut)
19. Texas Tech (8-2) (Oklahoma State, Oklahoma)
20. Wisconsin (8-3) (Hawaii)
21. Minnesota (7-3) (Iowa)
22. Florida (7-3) (Florida State)
23. South Carolina (7-3) (Clemson)
24. Boston College (7-3) (Maryland)
25. Oklahoma (6-3) (Texas Tech, Oklahoma State)

( Unbeatens are in red)

Game 10: Nov. 19 Miami(3) hosting Georgia Tech

MIAMI LOST 14-10.

Georgia Tech sacked Kyle Wright seven times, took advantage of key penalties on two touchdown drives and made a pair of late defensive stands to upset the third-ranked Miami Hurricanes 14-10 Saturday night.

What a depressing game where Kyle Wright was sacked 7 times. Miami was also penalised too many times especially for the excessive celebration after a sack which aided GT in their second touchdown. There goes the chance for at least an Orange Bowl bid. They should stick to the normal jersey instead of go for the new jersey (see photo above).

I will not post anymore BCS ranking since USC and Texas more or less locked the Championship Game in Rose Bowl on January 04, 2006.

I am devastated!!!

Game 11: Nov. 26 Miami hosting Virginia

The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes got exactly what the doctor ordered last Saturday, getting back on the winning track by defeating Virginia 25-17.

Quarterback Kyle Wright looked like a different player than one who got sacked seven times against Georgia Tech. In the win over the Cavaliers he completed 23 of 30 passes for 248 yards. Wright also set up the Hurricanes' final touchdown of the night by running 31 yards down to the one-yard line. Charlie Jones' one-yard touchdown run made sure the Hurricanes had their ninth win for the sixth consecutive season.

On Senior Day at the Orange Bowl, 18 seniors were playing in their final regular season games. Senior tailback Quadtrine Hill made the most of his last home game by catching a career high seven passes out of the backfield.

Jon Peattie opened the scoring by connecting on a 40-yard field goal midway through the first quarter to give Miami a 3-0 lead. The lead didn't last for long, however, thanks to some trickery by the Cavaliers.

Virginia quarterback Marques Hagans handed off to wide receiver Emmanuel Byers, who instead of running, sprinted wide right and threw to an open Deyon Williams, who ran 91 yards into the end zone, giving Virginia its first lead of the game at 7-3.

Connor Hughes made a 24-yard field goal on the Cavaliers' next possession to give them a 10-3 lead early in the second quarter. But Miami fought right back, as Jones scored from four yards out to make the score 10-9 before Peattie missed his first of two extra points on the night.

The Hurricanes took the lead before halftime when Sinorice Moss caught his final touchdown in the Orange Bowl, taking a pass from Wright and making a couple of nifty moves to scamper 17 yards into the end zone.

Also playing in his final game at the historic Horseshoe was offensive lineman Eric Winston."This is the closest team I've been on since I've been here," Winston told the Miami Herald. "Everybody was there for each other. Everybody loved each other. That's what I'll remember most."

Jones finished with 88 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in front of a rather disappointing crowd of 37,629.

The Hurricanes are now in wait-and-see mode. It is yet to be determined where Miami will play its bowl game. It seems like the Hurricanes will end up in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2 against Louisville. The Cardinals gave Miami fits last year at home, and the teams will play next year in Louisville.

Douglas C. Kroll can be contacted at d.kroll@umiami.edu

posted by InMine @ 7:53 AM 1 brickbats