- 1 year ago
Locked on Canes podcast host, Alex Donno, joins the show to preview the Hurricanes - Notre Dame season opener.
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00:00Now joining us on the Toyota of Hollywood hotline,
00:02let's talk some Canes, let's talk some Notre Dame.
00:05Alex Dono, the great Dono.
00:07Shop over 2,000 Toyotas on sale at one location,
00:10Toyota of Hollywood on 441 between Hollywood and Sheridan.
00:15Toyotaofhollywood.com.
00:17Dono is probably responsible for our favorite moment in show history.
00:23And it didn't, or several of our favorite moments in show history.
00:29And I don't think all of them embarrassing,
00:30all of them embarrassing mostly for me.
00:32And, and none of them even took place on this show.
00:36Oh, Suge night.
00:38Oh, Dono, you know, Suge.
00:39Oh yeah.
00:41Club Suge.
00:43Hey Dono, Hey Dono,
00:44you couldn't have just cut me off before,
00:47before I embarrassed myself with that and the golf update and the golf update.
00:51Dono.
00:52Was it Tringale triangle?
00:54Oh man.
00:55Tringale.
00:56Epic.
00:56I'm surprised ESPN didn't call you that day.
00:59To be a new sports center anchor.
01:00Like we got a golf channel.
01:02We got to get this guy on for the Tringale updates.
01:06Be on.
01:07Be on and be horse.
01:11No joke though.
01:12Alex Dono.
01:13You are the host of the locked on cage podcast.
01:15Nobody is covering the Miami hurricanes better right now than Alex Dono.
01:20I recommend everybody.
01:21If you're not doing so already,
01:23go subscribe to the locked on Canes podcast and obviously follow Dono on Twitter at Alex Dono.
01:29And we're lucky to have you, Dono.
01:31You're doing the post game show this season as well, right?
01:33For the,
01:33I am for the WQM broadcast.
01:36Yeah.
01:36So yeah,
01:37we got a night game coming up for the first one.
01:39So we'll be up late probably till like,
01:41I don't know,
01:41one in the morning,
01:42something like that.
01:43Hopefully talking about a win guys.
01:45I got to get my mindset right for this.
01:46Yes.
01:47Yes.
01:47That's a,
01:48that's a cafecito special,
01:49Dono.
01:49Double espresso shot at around.
01:51We had one last year.
01:53I did post game after the Cal game,
01:55which was a 10 30 start time.
01:57I think,
01:59I mean,
01:59at some point my soul left my body like during the post game show,
02:03but I think we were on till like 4 AM.
02:06I might've fallen asleep at two,
02:07but the show was on till four.
02:09So Dono,
02:10you,
02:11you mentioned hopefully a victory walk us through.
02:14What is a hurricane's victory look like on Sunday?
02:18We know it's a top 10 battle.
02:19We know the hurricanes didn't lose a game at home last season.
02:23We know the hurricanes haven't lost a Notre Dame in Miami going back to,
02:27I believe,
02:281977.
02:30What,
02:30what does,
02:31and the hurricanes,
02:32I think are undefeated in September,
02:35the last two seasons.
02:36Like what does all that mean for a game like this?
02:39When you have a team that was in the national championship game,
02:42what does a win look like for Miami?
02:44Yeah,
02:45I think first things first have to limit Notre Dame's dynamic,
02:49rushing attack.
02:50Um,
02:51you know,
02:51every time that I,
02:52I've listened to what a lot of other people are saying about this game,
02:55especially on the Notre Dame side.
02:57And for good reason,
02:58they can't stop talking about Jeremiah love and Jadarian price,
03:01uh,
03:02which excellent running back duo and a good offensive line at Notre Dame.
03:06Now,
03:06when Notre Dame went up against a top 10 opponents last year,
03:10I think they averaged about 70 yards on the ground per contest.
03:14So Miami's a top 10 team.
03:15So hopefully that holds up this year.
03:17Uh,
03:18but really Miami's front seven being up to the task,
03:22you know,
03:22you make an important addition to your linebacker core,
03:24like motor a,
03:26uh,
03:26from Rutgers.
03:26Who's a really good run stopper.
03:29You know,
03:29you've got a younger guy in the interior of your defensive line,
03:33getting a really big opportunity.
03:34Uh,
03:34Justin Scott,
03:35I expect to play a lot this year,
03:37a former five-star recruit from a couple of cycles ago.
03:39You know,
03:40you got players like Ruben Bain and a key mesador on your defensive line.
03:44Uh,
03:44they have to be up to the task of just not letting Notre Dame run all over
03:47you.
03:48Cause that's what they're going to want to do guys.
03:49I mean,
03:50the Irish have a first time starting quarterback.
03:53CJ car has used a great player in high school,
03:56I guess,
03:56but he's got zero collegiate snaps to this point.
03:59So,
04:00you know,
04:00if you can limit their running game,
04:03you try to force CJ car to beat you.
04:05That's where hopefully you can get guys like Bain and mesador pinning their
04:09ears back and,
04:10and making CJ cars life difficult in the backfield.
04:12Uh,
04:13so that that's on the defensive side of the football,
04:15uh,
04:15on offense.
04:16Um,
04:17I also think Miami needs to definitely establish a running game.
04:21Um,
04:21you know,
04:21you look at Notre Dame's,
04:23uh,
04:23defensive secondary,
04:24they've got great corners.
04:26They play man coverage,
04:27you know,
04:27Christian gray,
04:28one of their corners is probably one of the very best in the country.
04:31Uh,
04:32it's difficult or it has been difficult to throw the football against these
04:35guys.
04:35So obviously Miami who also has a big physical offensive line.
04:39And I like Miami's offensive line a little bit better than Notre Dame's.
04:42And you've got a good trio of running backs with Mark Fletcher,
04:45Jordan Lyle and,
04:47uh,
04:47Shamar Brown who transferred in from North Dakota state.
04:49All of those guys are between 205 pounds and 225 pounds.
04:54So you've got like those big physical body types to hopefully wear down the
04:58defense.
04:58And then,
04:59you know,
04:59you have to hope that,
05:00um,
05:01Carson Beck can hit some big plays without making any critical mistakes because,
05:06you know,
05:06the Irish or a team that has thrived on forcing turnovers and takeaways
05:10defensively.
05:11Um,
05:12you know,
05:12I'm,
05:13I'm encouraged,
05:13uh,
05:14by how well Beck has done during training camp and he's built a lot of fast
05:18chemistry with his receivers.
05:19Like I think if it again,
05:20training camp is training camp though.
05:21This is the real,
05:22the real thing coming up on Sunday.
05:24Um,
05:25so you got to hit some plays downfield.
05:27You know,
05:27we all remember when Notre Dame beat Penn state in the national semifinal game,
05:32they didn't allow a single reception by a Penn state wide receiver.
05:35That may have been as much of an indictment on Penn state's,
05:39you know,
05:39receivers as it was the other way around,
05:41but it's something that did happen.
05:43And let last thing I'll note on,
05:45on,
05:46you know,
05:46Miami getting hopefully a victory here.
05:48You talk about Carson Beck.
05:49I love the fact that he has big time experience in big games.
05:53I heard the stat today.
05:54This will be the eighth time he goes up against the top,
05:58uh,
05:5810 team in his career.
06:00Uh,
06:01you know,
06:01started the past two seasons at Georgia.
06:03He's got a five and two record against top 10 teams.
06:06I think both of those losses were to Alabama.
06:08Who's been no slouch of course.
06:09So he's hoping to improve to think six and two against top 10 opponents this
06:14week.
06:14So there's nothing that guy hasn't seen before.
06:17We just have to see it all get put together on the field this week.
06:20And Donald,
06:21this isn't going to be a,
06:23in my opinion,
06:23let me know if I'm wrong.
06:25This isn't a dance contest.
06:26This is a rugby match.
06:28That's what Notre Dame wants to do.
06:30They're going to run the ball.
06:31They're going to go downhill to your point,
06:32CJ car has,
06:33has no snaps in college.
06:35They're not letting him throw the ball 40 times.
06:37They are going to test your oil.
06:39As we used to say,
06:40so you,
06:41um,
06:41should you and play into that?
06:43Because like you have,
06:46you have Beck where let Beck do what Beck does,
06:49but also you don't want to cause those turnovers with a great secondary,
06:53you know,
06:54gambling wise.
06:55I took the under,
06:55I don't think it's going to be a 40 to 30 game.
06:58I think it's going to be a 17,
06:5913 game,
07:00but should you,
07:01should you play Notre Dame almost get in the mud where Notre Dame wants to
07:06get in the mud?
07:08Uh,
07:08I,
07:09I,
07:09I,
07:09you raise a great point.
07:11Um,
07:11I think probably both teams in the first quarter are going to kind of see
07:15how much they get away with on the ground.
07:16But with that said,
07:18it would not shock me if maybe Miami's first play or within the first couple of
07:22plays is a shot downfield,
07:24right.
07:24To test that Notre Dame secondary.
07:26Cause like you said,
07:27if you turn this into,
07:29you know,
07:30like a 1950 style,
07:31three yards to the cloud of dust type of game,
07:34maybe that does favor Notre Dame.
07:36Whereas,
07:37you know,
07:37Miami's got an experienced quarterback and a lot of weapons,
07:40you know,
07:40they're unproven weapons,
07:42Crowder,
07:42uh,
07:42at least unproven in Miami.
07:44Cause you did bring in a guy,
07:45CJ Daniels,
07:46who's a six year senior at receiver,
07:48ton of experience.
07:49Uh,
07:49Keelan Marion from BYU has got some experience.
07:52Tony Johnson from Cincinnati,
07:53but outside of that,
07:55you've got,
07:55you know,
07:55young guys like Jojo trader,
07:57who's heading into his second year,
07:58hasn't played a whole lot.
08:00Um,
08:00actually a couple of the best performers for Miami at receiver in,
08:04in camp have been true freshmen,
08:06uh,
08:07at receiver Malachi,
08:08Tony.
08:08Like I wouldn't surprise me if he starts.
08:10I mean,
08:11we're not going to know until like they kick the,
08:13kick it off.
08:13Cause Cristobal doesn't mess around with pregame depth charts.
08:16We'll find out on Sunday at some point,
08:18but he's performed really,
08:20really well.
08:20So we'll see how much he gets counted on for a big game like this,
08:24but I'm with you.
08:25I think take some Miami may be the team more equipped to go downfield in
08:29this game.
08:29And,
08:30but also,
08:30um,
08:31I'm wondering what the weather is going to look like.
08:33Cause of course,
08:34you know,
08:34weather in Miami can change hour to hour.
08:37I'm looking at like a 70% chance of rain.
08:39So I don't know if this is going to be like a mud bowl type of thing.
08:42I hope not,
08:43but I,
08:43I guess we'll find out a few hours before kickoff.
08:45Speaking to that.
08:46And,
08:47and you know what Crowder's idea of this game is going to look like.
08:50We were talking with Josie on Monday and he said,
08:53you know,
08:53something along the lines of,
08:55this is the most Mario team that he's put together.
08:59Um,
09:00since he's been here,
09:01he also said,
09:02he thinks it's Cristobal's most talented roster.
09:04We'll find out.
09:05Right.
09:05Um,
09:06but when he says Mario's team,
09:08I think he's talking about the,
09:09the type of players that Cristobal has been able to put,
09:12you know,
09:13in uniform,
09:13but also develop,
09:15um,
09:15since he's been here and recruit Dono,
09:17do you,
09:18do you feel the same way?
09:19Like the size of the players,
09:21the type of guys that Cristobal is getting at Oregon.
09:23Do you feel like the Canes are closer to,
09:26to being that team than they were maybe last year or two seasons ago?
09:31Yeah,
09:31it's not even close.
09:32Um,
09:32and,
09:32and you can,
09:33you can look at,
09:34um,
09:35the physical size of the players on the back end.
09:37Uh,
09:38you know,
09:38you,
09:38you go bring in Xavier Lucas in the transfer portal from Wisconsin.
09:42He's,
09:42you know,
09:43over six foot.
09:44He's a 215,
09:45220 range.
09:46OJ Frederique is six foot one over 200 pounds.
09:50Um,
09:50I think every single defensive,
09:53the back on Miami's roster,
09:54except for one guy is six foot tall or,
09:58or larger.
09:59Um,
09:59and then of course,
10:00line of scrimmage speaks for itself.
10:02I mean,
10:02this is probably the best offensive line,
10:05uh,
10:05Miami's had.
10:06They've had some good ones over the last couple of years.
10:08I mean,
10:09everyone knows about the right side.
10:10I mean,
10:11CC Maui Noah is probably going to be a first round draft pick.
10:14And as Cooper at right guard has been really stellar.
10:16Uh,
10:17but you're the left tackle who's,
10:18you know,
10:18a couple of years ago was a Juco transfer,
10:20but Markel bell has worked his butt off to be Cristobal told me he's the
10:25most improved player on the roster since last year.
10:27And the guy's six foot nine,
10:29three 40.
10:29So,
10:30I mean,
10:30if you just look at the body types that they have in there,
10:33uh,
10:33you're,
10:34you're a hundred percent right.
10:35And Josie was spot on.
10:36Like this is the most Mario Cristobal roster that Mario Cristobal has had.
10:41And another thing I mentioned,
10:43the running backs all being over 200 pounds.
10:45Like you notice over the last couple of years,
10:47you know,
10:48Miami's had a couple of smaller running backs on the depth chart and it just
10:52hasn't worked right where,
10:54you know,
10:54so you look at a guy like Rashard Smith,
10:56who was actually a Miami slot receiver a couple of years ago,
10:59but he transfers to SMU.
11:01He's like 170,
11:02580 pounds.
11:03Get a really good year running back.
11:05But like that works in SMU's offense doesn't work in Miami's offense.
11:09Like Miami had Chris Johnson,
11:11who was a smaller running back.
11:13He transferred to SMU.
11:14He's going to be this year.
11:15We'll see how he does,
11:16but that's not like a Miami type of back,
11:19like the Mario Cristobal type of back,
11:21or,
11:21you know,
11:21their smallest running back is Jordan Lyle at 205 pounds.
11:25Their other guys are in the 215 to 225 range.
11:28So it's definitely the most Cristobal of rosters that he has had.
11:32And I'm,
11:33I'm cool with that.
11:34Cause yeah,
11:34I mean,
11:34bigger,
11:35stronger players tend to push the smaller guys around,
11:37but I also liked the idea of the head coach after,
11:41you know,
11:42three full recruiting cycles and three plus transfer portals,
11:46finally having the roster that like really seems to fit the style of
11:50football he wants to play.
11:51So I think that opens up a lot of possibilities for Miami.
11:54And Donald something else I asked Josie,
11:57which,
11:58which he did great point.
11:59He was like,
12:00if they win,
12:01they jump in the top five.
12:02If they lose,
12:03they're in the twenties.
12:04Like it's,
12:04it's some reason.
12:06UM is just gonna,
12:07it's their extremes.
12:08When the voters come up.
12:10Yeah.
12:10What does it mean?
12:11This litmus test,
12:12because my kind of,
12:14my thing is I,
12:15I,
12:15I really believe it's going to be a field goal late.
12:18Either way.
12:18If you,
12:19him is what you weren't supposed to be.
12:21You know,
12:21I'm,
12:22I'm,
12:22I'm friends with a Marcus Freeman.
12:24Donald,
12:25he's wearing,
12:25he's wearing a Notre Dame t-shirt.
12:27I'm friends with Marcus Freeman.
12:28I mean,
12:28I was just in South Bend,
12:30you know,
12:30they gave me a swag bag and everything.
12:32Oh,
12:33Donald's upset with me,
12:35but no,
12:35a little bit.
12:35Yeah.
12:36But Donald the litmus test of this,
12:38like,
12:39I don't think it's going to be an ass kicking either way,
12:42but if they can beat Notre Dame or in what happens if they beat Notre Dame
12:47and what if Notre Dame ekes out something late,
12:49does it show you anything about this team?
12:51I mean,
12:52I,
12:53I would objectively say that if Miami is super competitive with a team that
12:59came in second place last year,
13:01I could probably look at that and say like,
13:04look how far this roster has come.
13:06In the past four or five years.
13:07Right.
13:07Cause I can remember,
13:08you know,
13:09I guess it was during the Manny Diaz era when Miami opened up a season
13:12against Alabama one year.
13:14And it was,
13:15it was a bloodbath.
13:16Like it was like,
13:16Hey,
13:16we just don't have the same sort of athletes that they have.
13:20So yeah,
13:20I,
13:20I see what you're saying.
13:22Um,
13:22at the same time,
13:23I think that there,
13:25there's enough justified hype in this roster that I think that for most Miami
13:31fans,
13:32even if you lose the game by a point,
13:34I think there would be a big sense of disappointment.
13:36Like,
13:36I don't think fans would come away from it,
13:39like looking for any sort of a moral victory.
13:41And also there's this longstanding hatred for Notre Dame.
13:44I mean,
13:45the real ones,
13:45you know,
13:45the,
13:46the,
13:46the older Miami fans,
13:47I'm getting up into that group.
13:48Now,
13:49maybe the 25 year olds don't remember the hatred for Notre Dame,
13:53but the older ones do.
13:54That's why they're all very angry.
13:55Crowder's t-shirt today as they should be.
13:58Uh,
13:58but you know,
13:59and,
13:59and listen,
13:59bottom line,
14:00if you do lose this game,
14:01and I do not want that to happen,
14:03but you still got everything in front of you in terms of,
14:06you know,
14:06if you win the ACC,
14:07they're not going to deny you a college football playoff spot.
14:11You still want to beat Florida.
14:12Who's on the schedule,
14:13but I get it.
14:14Like if Miami is competitive in this game,
14:17you can say,
14:17look how far this team has come,
14:19but you can play like that against,
14:21you know,
14:22top five or top six technically team in the country and a runner.
14:25Up from last year,
14:26but I think they've raised the standards so much in terms of the talent
14:29level.
14:29I,
14:30I,
14:30I do get like a win or bust type feel to this in a certain point of view.
14:35Even just getting to the ACC championship,
14:37not that it guarantees you a spot in the top 12,
14:40but if you're in the ACC championship,
14:42you probably have nine,
14:4310 wins under your belt.
14:45Um,
14:45you know,
14:46there's,
14:46there's a good chance you're in there.
14:47You know,
14:48hard rock stadium is going to be rocking for the game.
14:51Dono.
14:51And again,
14:52you can listen to Alex Dono after the game,
14:55after Joe Zagaki and Don Bailey jr.
14:57The Canes post game show right here on one Oh four,
15:00three WQAM Miami sports leader.
15:03Dono,
15:04no app or all spritz talk today.
15:05Cause Hawk had to jet a little early,
15:07but here's my tip to a,
15:10probably the most Italian person.
15:12I know a true Italiano,
15:14the public's tiramisu.
15:18Ooh,
15:19I don't know if I've had that one.
15:20The public's tiramisu,
15:22Dono.
15:23I better than Italy.
15:24I'm not kidding.
15:25Better than anything.
15:26I had at the Piazza Navona,
15:29at the Piazza Michelangelo,
15:31better than anything I had near the Coliseum.
15:33I am telling you that the tiramisu at public.
15:37Why do you say it that way?
15:39The greatest dessert I have ever had in my entire life.
15:43I am not kidding.
15:43What did he just say,
15:44Dono?
15:45Tiramisu.
15:46That's how it's supposed to be said.
15:49Of course.
15:50You just have no culture powder.
15:52Tiramisu.
15:52Yeah.
15:53Tiramisu.
15:55Y'all are crazy.
15:58Tiramisu.
15:59So you're,
16:00okay.
16:00So I'll trust you on this because the last time I got Italian food advice on
16:04this show wasn't from Solana,
16:05but Hawk basically told me the tour of Italy at Olive Garden is better than
16:09anything you'll find.
16:10And I disagree.
16:11I had it a couple of weeks ago.
16:13Bang average.
16:14It's terrible.
16:15I'm going to trust Solana on this.
16:17Go to Publix,
16:18Dono.
16:18It's like three 99 and it comes in.
16:20It's not like a small dessert,
16:21a big dessert.
16:22It comes in like a big,
16:24a little like a plastic thing and just eat it right out of there.
16:28Dono.
16:29I am telling you.
16:30What's the best dessert.
16:32The tiramisu is the best dessert I have ever had.
16:37And I'm like you big,
16:37you know,
16:38we we've talked about this.
16:39The key lime pie,
16:39the key lime pie from Publix.
16:41I maintain is the best key lime pie in Florida.
16:43By far better than the keys.
16:46Miss me with those lime green buildings.
16:48The Publix.
16:50Didami Sue.
16:51Dono.
16:52You're welcome.
16:53I'll try it as soon as this weekend.
16:56If not tonight.
16:57Okay.
16:57Can't wait.
16:58Can't wait for your review on Twitter.
17:00Alex Dono.
17:01Best in the business covering the Canes.
17:03Dono.
17:03We love you,
17:03man.
17:04Seriously.
17:04Follow all his work on lockdown Canes and hopefully get a dub this weekend,
17:09man.
17:09I love you guys,
17:11but I was mainly here to see Jimmy.
17:12So thanks,
17:13Jimmy.
17:16Appreciate you,
17:17Dono.
17:19Jimmy forgot he could talk.
17:20He forgot.
17:22I found my voice.
17:24Audio medium.
17:25We're running late.
17:27We'll,
17:27we'll take a break.
17:28Hawkman Crowder and Solana.
17:29The four o'clock hour is next.
17:31We'll take a break.
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17:36We'll take a break.
17:36We'll take a break.
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17:43We'll take a break.
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