Miami needs a big game from its ragtag o-line -- or lots of prayer
A somewhat watered-down version of one of the greatest rivalries of the '80s takes the field at Land Shark Saturday night, but the implications are all 2009.
Miami finds itself 2-1, ranked 17th, and with everything to prove after wandering bloated and lame into the death trap of Virginia Tech's rainy Lane Stadium last week. Oklahoma, last year's BCS Championship loser, slipped to No. 8 after losing their dignity and starting QB to BYU. They've since outscored opponents 109-0, so you know: still deadly.
The game can define both teams' seasons: another loss would put Oklahoma squarely out of BCS contention, and a beat-down could be the difference between 11-1 and 8-4 for the upstart orange and green.
History From '85-'87, Barry Switzers' Sooners went 30-0 against the rest of America and 0-3 against Miami. No one got Switzer's goat like like the 'Canes, who called Brian Bosworth at 5:30 in the morning just for funsies, overcame a fumblerooski to take the '87 national championship, and had a mascot who wasn't afraid to SET A SOONER SCHOONER ON FIRE on the sidelines. All that, despite Vinny Testaverde giving up his manhood on a purple scooter:
Victory in Pictures: Miami vs. Georgia Tech
The two didn't meet again until 2007, when Miami lost 51-13 in Norman. Whoops!
Quarterbacks Oklahoma has yet to confirm if Heisman-winning wonderboy Sam Bradford will return this week from a Grade 3 shoulder sprain, or if his mustachioed understudy Landry Jones will continue in his stead. It may be a question of whether or not Oklahoma needs Bradford, who would probably be best served with another week off.
Jacory Harris, who remains college football's yacht rock (smooth, silky, amorous) despite a poor outing in Blacksburg, could have a very long day if he faces lots of pressure (though he'd still win the style game).
Oklahoma's O-Line vs. Miami's D-Line Oklahoma has just shaken up the entire line, with center Brody Eldridge moving to tight end and new bodies at center, right tackle, and right guard. BYU smartly went after Oklahoma here and won. While Miami hasn't been a sack factory, they've faced two run-happy teams; it's time for the sturdy and speedy front 7 to shine against what might the most dangerous passing offense they'll face all year. Pressure on Jones could force a lot of mistakes.
Oklahoma's D-Line vs. Miami's O-Line Sooners like 'em round, thick and juicy. Miami, on the other hand, is both rag-tag and horrifyingly shallow, and facing an OU defensive line that could make Virginia Tech's look like children playing Red Rover. Jacory Harris will likely be facing a steady diet of Gerald McCoy, Auston English, and Jeremy Beal, who have more tackles behind the line of scrimmage than any team in the country.
The Hurricanes also need to carve out space for Graig Cooper, one of their best offensive weapons. That's a tall order against Oklahoma, who lead the nation in run defense giving up just 41 yards per game.
Miami's receivers vs. Oklahoma's secondary Miami oozes talent here, and big sophomore Aldarius Johnson returns from (a gruesome) injury. The Sooners secondary has yet to face the size, speed, and playmaking ability the Hurricanes boast -- and if Jacory Harris gets time to throw, the 'Canes can make a game of it exploiting the Sooners downfield.
Miami's at home, at night, with nothing to lose, which is just how we like them. It'd be nice to see Matt Pipho scream "No one makes me bleed my own blood!" and flatten everyone who comes at the right side, but then, we'd settle for the O-line just showing up this time.
If they don't, well, with luck Sebastian will be setting things on fire again, so...there's that?
A somewhat watered-down version of one of the greatest rivalries of the '80s takes the field at Land Shark Saturday night, but the implications are all 2009.
Miami finds itself 2-1, ranked 17th, and with everything to prove after wandering bloated and lame into the death trap of Virginia Tech's rainy Lane Stadium last week. Oklahoma, last year's BCS Championship loser, slipped to No. 8 after losing their dignity and starting QB to BYU. They've since outscored opponents 109-0, so you know: still deadly.
The game can define both teams' seasons: another loss would put Oklahoma squarely out of BCS contention, and a beat-down could be the difference between 11-1 and 8-4 for the upstart orange and green.
History From '85-'87, Barry Switzers' Sooners went 30-0 against the rest of America and 0-3 against Miami. No one got Switzer's goat like like the 'Canes, who called Brian Bosworth at 5:30 in the morning just for funsies, overcame a fumblerooski to take the '87 national championship, and had a mascot who wasn't afraid to SET A SOONER SCHOONER ON FIRE on the sidelines. All that, despite Vinny Testaverde giving up his manhood on a purple scooter:
Victory in Pictures: Miami vs. Georgia Tech
The two didn't meet again until 2007, when Miami lost 51-13 in Norman. Whoops!
Quarterbacks Oklahoma has yet to confirm if Heisman-winning wonderboy Sam Bradford will return this week from a Grade 3 shoulder sprain, or if his mustachioed understudy Landry Jones will continue in his stead. It may be a question of whether or not Oklahoma needs Bradford, who would probably be best served with another week off.
Jacory Harris, who remains college football's yacht rock (smooth, silky, amorous) despite a poor outing in Blacksburg, could have a very long day if he faces lots of pressure (though he'd still win the style game).
Oklahoma's O-Line vs. Miami's D-Line Oklahoma has just shaken up the entire line, with center Brody Eldridge moving to tight end and new bodies at center, right tackle, and right guard. BYU smartly went after Oklahoma here and won. While Miami hasn't been a sack factory, they've faced two run-happy teams; it's time for the sturdy and speedy front 7 to shine against what might the most dangerous passing offense they'll face all year. Pressure on Jones could force a lot of mistakes.
Oklahoma's D-Line vs. Miami's O-Line Sooners like 'em round, thick and juicy. Miami, on the other hand, is both rag-tag and horrifyingly shallow, and facing an OU defensive line that could make Virginia Tech's look like children playing Red Rover. Jacory Harris will likely be facing a steady diet of Gerald McCoy, Auston English, and Jeremy Beal, who have more tackles behind the line of scrimmage than any team in the country.
The Hurricanes also need to carve out space for Graig Cooper, one of their best offensive weapons. That's a tall order against Oklahoma, who lead the nation in run defense giving up just 41 yards per game.
Miami's receivers vs. Oklahoma's secondary Miami oozes talent here, and big sophomore Aldarius Johnson returns from (a gruesome) injury. The Sooners secondary has yet to face the size, speed, and playmaking ability the Hurricanes boast -- and if Jacory Harris gets time to throw, the 'Canes can make a game of it exploiting the Sooners downfield.
Miami's at home, at night, with nothing to lose, which is just how we like them. It'd be nice to see Matt Pipho scream "No one makes me bleed my own blood!" and flatten everyone who comes at the right side, but then, we'd settle for the O-line just showing up this time.
If they don't, well, with luck Sebastian will be setting things on fire again, so...there's that?
