The Rundown Take
Tier Three and Rising: Larry Frank's Birthday Show Digs Into Miami's Identity and a Secondary Reborn
Devin and Egray celebrated Larry Frank Jr.'s birthday with a marathon show that ran from a Cuban Kane phone call straight through a full breakdown of why the Hurricanes keep fading late in seasons, whether Miami still belongs among college football's blue bloods, and the medical clearances that just turned the secondary from a punchline into a strength. It's the kind of night that starts with NBA trash talk and ends with a real argument about program identity.
Key Takeaways
- Cuban Kane's late-season collapse theory (strength and conditioning) gets challenged by Larry Frank, who argues it's mindset and a lack of charismatic coaching dating back to Larry Coker.
- Panel ranks Miami tier three in college football's hierarchy — behind blue bloods Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State, but ahead of the pack with Texas, USC and Michigan on the doorstep of tier two.
- Frank Gore gets crowned the toughest Cane ever for playing through multiple blown-out knees to provide for his family, edging out Ray Lewis in the debate.
- Avonte Williams and Al Blades Jr. are medically cleared to practice after missing all of last season, instantly upgrading a secondary the panel now feels genuinely good about heading into spring.
- Larry Frank projects Torry Couch to nickel behind a Tyrique Stevenson-anchored corner spot, freeing DJ Ivey and Blades to compete for the other outside job.
Why the Canes Fade Late
Cuban Kane opened with a theory he's chewed on for years: every era of Miami football, win or lose, seems to collapse down the stretch, and he wondered aloud if it traces back to strength and conditioning. Larry Frank pushed back — he thinks it's mindset, installed or missing depending on the coach, pointing to the 10-0 team that took its foot off the gas before Pittsburgh and Clemson exposed it in the Orange Bowl. Both agreed Manny Diaz has flashes of the charisma the program lost after Butch Davis left for Cleveland, and that Ed Reid and T-Rob on staff could help it trickle back down to the roster.
Blue Blood or Bust
The tier conversation got real: Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State sit alone at the top, with Florida, Oklahoma and Notre Dame occupying tier two as historic programs riding hit-or-miss stretches. Miami, Texas, USC and Michigan make up tier three — brands the sport needs relevant, according to the panel, because nobody wants to watch Alabama and Clemson play for the title every single year. Their verdict: beat Alabama in the opener, run the table through North Carolina and Florida State, and the primetime slots and "is the U back" headlines take care of themselves.
The Secondary's Redemption Arc
The mood shifted hard and positive once talk turned to the defensive backfield. With Avonte Williams and Al Blades Jr. both medically cleared after lost seasons, and Tyrique Stevenson projected to lock down one outside corner spot, Larry Frank likes Torry Couch — the unit's most consistent piece last year — sliding into the slot while Blades and DJ Ivey battle for the other starting job. No such optimism for the two returning receivers the panel still won't name by number, who they say need a signature postseason catch before they'll get any love back.
"We are all pieces of the same pot. In order for college football to be relevant, you need these teams to be back — and guess what, I think Miami got next."