httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGUFS4u9wWw
The Miami Hurricanes’ marquee season opener against LSU continues to inch closer and closer.
If the Hurricanes want to start 2018 on a high note and build off last year’s successful run that ended in an Orange Bowl berth, a win on opening night is needed.
“We don’t get four exhibition games or preseason games to find our way,” UM defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said Tuesday on WQAM’s Joe Rose Show.
With Miami coming that much closer to its first season opener against a Power 5 opponent since 2014, game planning is becoming all the more crucial.
While the Hurricanes have game film on LSU, not all of it will be useful, especially for Diaz’s defensive preparations.
Leading rusher Darrius Guice and receiver DJ Chark are both in the NFL. “You’re piecing a lot of information together from a lot of different sources,” Diaz said.
Diaz has to weigh the importance of finding highlights of the returning players, highlights of the offensive scheme LSU will likely run under Ensminger and find out the strengths and weaknesses of their new quarterback.
While Diaz and the rest of the Miami staff comb over game footage, Diaz wants his players focusing on themselves for the time being.
“Game openers, season openers usually have a lot more to do with you and making sure that you’re sound and your guys can get lined up,” Diaz said.