Miami Football: Hurricanes Show They're Close, but Need to Find Clutch Factor

The Miami Hurricanes had a better collective performance than the No. 3 Florida State Seminoles, but the final scoreboard read 30-26 in favor of the 'Noles.

Miami (6-4, 3-3 ACC) outplayed the rival Seminoles (10-0, 7-0), earning a 492-419 total yard advantage and outgaining FSU in both the passing and rushing categories. Additionally, the 'Canes converted 10 of 18 third-down situations and held Jameis Winston and Co. to a 5-of-11 clip.

Unfortunately for Al Golden's team, the final tally is the only thing that actually matters.

Duke Johnson raced to his sixth consecutive 100-yard showing, tallying 130 and one touchdown. Brad Kaaya amassed 316 yards and two touchdowns, while Clive Walford and Phillip Dorsett both reeled in four passes for 127 and 90 yards, respectively.

Offensive coordinator James Coley called an aggressive first half, though he slowly moved toward a conservative attack during the latter 30 minutes. That change was undoubtedly a factor in the loss, but it wasn't the only negative.

The finger-pointing started immediately following the game, with the Twittersphere erupting that Golden will never beat FSU or that the 'Canes are simply perennial underachievers. However, losing to the nation's No. 3 team because of a couple fluke plays isn't underachieving.

Florida State earned the win—every last bit of it. Sure, its offensive line appeared to get away with holding on multiple occasions, but blaming the officials in this case is a lazy way to cover up where Miami faltered.

Walford and Standish Dobard fumbled after picking up first downs. Braxton Berrios dropped a potential touchdown. Michael Badgley yanked a 29-yard field goal and had an extra point blocked. Raphael Kirby and Jamal Carter both dropped could-have-been interceptions.

Nevertheless, Kaaya and the offense had one last opportunity to overcome those mistakes. After a pair of first downs, the Hurricanes picked up just two yards during their final four snaps. The freshman's ultimate pass fell into the waiting arms of Jalen Ramsey, the Seminoles' most valuable player Saturday night.

USA TODAY Sports

To reach the next level, though, Kaaya and Miami must find the clutch offensive moments similar to what Florida State has repeatedly shown in 2014. This was the third game in which the 'Noles staged a fourth-quarter comeback and third occurrence of a 16-plus-point recovery.

The Hurricanes had a chance to win, and it was because of the defense. Yes, that defense, the unit that couldn't stop rain from falling inside the house last season.

Sure, the Seminoles scored 30 points—which was actually a new career-low for a Winston-led FSU offense—but Deon Bush and Co. forced a trio of three-and-outs, field-goal attempts and turnovers. Miami certainly wants a little more from their defenders, but they provided the offense plenty of opportunities to seal the game.

The 'Canes are close to silencing the decade-long question of when they are officially "back," but they're not there yet.

However, this is the same program that was absolutely trounced by Florida State last season, losing by 27 points in a beatdown. This is exactly the process Golden preached ad nauseam during his previous three seasons in Coral Gables.

Pat-on-the-back, you'll get 'em next time, buddy phrases aren't what many Hurricanes fans want to hear during their emotionally fueled reactions following a four-point rivalry loss. But this is college football. Losses hurt. Everyone understands that. Yet to deny the progress Miami has made throughout 2014 is silly.

If Golden, his coaching staff or the players complete any one of the aforementioned shortcomings—yes, excluding the extra point—Florida State is upset, and the narrative changes completely.

The scoreboard said they came up short, but the 'Canes performance showed the program is here to stay. Now, it's a matter of finding consistent performance in clutch moments for Miami to establish itself among the ACC's elect.

And when that happens, we'll know "The U" is back. That's just not right now.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter: @Kenyon19_BR.