Which Miami team shows up???

[Nickelback]

You know, there's a big difference IMO between this year's and last year's Hurricane team. . .this year's team has struggled and has shown they can be beaten. . . almost lost to Florida State. I just think its important to point out this distinction between this year and last year. I think a lot of cappers got suckered in to taking Nebraska last year because it looked like a lot of points even though Miami had been dominant basically the entire season. This year, the Canes have had two legitimate struggles against Florida State and Virginia Tech. The entire year, I heard after these and other games that the Canes from then on would kill everyone in their path, yet they played average or below average compared to what most thought they would do. I think this is demonstrated by their 33% ATS covers this year. While no question the #1 team in the country until beaten, this team for the most part played below the expectation of most people. . . yet Vegas always would get action on them every single week.

Now I'm beginning to hear it all over again how Miami can destroy this Ohio State team because of their speed and athletic talent. Well, I'm not buying in to it. . . let me ride with the squares and all the rest of the "crap" money that has driven this line down. . . I think the joke is on the Canes this year as they are NOT the same team that everyone thinks they are from last season. Their opponents this year have found ways to get to them and come close to knocking them off the top. It's only a matter of time and I think today's the day.

Best Bet:

Miami under 31.5 total points (again, even if Miami somehow covers, Ohio State will slow this game down enough and play enough defense to keep the Canes under this total just like Pitt, Tennessee, and Florida State were able to do).

Solid Bet:

Ohio State +11 (will wait for this line to rise as I believe it will)

Average Bet:

Ohio State ML +300. . . yeah, a sucker bet just like the Pats in the Super Bowl right? Yes, that was the NFL and this is college ball, but they still showed that every team that gets to the big game has a chance to win. A few bounces Ohio State's way in turnovers or whatever and they have a chance in a low scoring game. Dorsey has had bad games in the past. . . it can happen.



Wish everyone the best on this one. . . can't blame those who take the Canes but again, I think their time is up after such a great run.

 

[SQUARECROW]

......NE money repeat

......NE money repeat

Nickle,

Isn't this the same trap that Nebraska money fell into last year.

I know there are games every year when the higher ranked team
struggles to win let alone cover. Hell, Ohio St this year has
had moments just like that.

.....but didn't we hear this all just a year ago. "Man, thats not
a bad deal getting double digits with a team like Nebraska has
on offense. They can scroe enough to cover that"

......this year " Man, thats not a bad deal getting double digits
with a team like Ohio St. has on defense. They can keep it
close."

Go gentle into that good night !! I wish you the best of
luck, for me I'm going small on the Miami & Under. Just not
willing to bet into the mouth of that Lion


Best of luck to ya !

 

[kebbyc]

Nickle, That is how I see Miami also. Living outside Syracuse, I follow the Big East pretty close and Miami is not as good as last year, they look human this year. Ohio St. just wins ugly sometimes but they have found a way to get things done. Getting Miami out of Florida is a big plus for Ohio St. and will certainly help as Miami fans don't travel well and may be spoiled with the win last year and current streak. I think Miami wins outright but I'll take the points currently 12 at wagerstreet and the under 50. I expect a ugly low scoring game. GL

 

[Grama]

everybody's referring to the miami last yr and how we got suckered with nebraska (i had neb too). but think back two yrs to oklahoma and fsu. speed vs defense. i personally had okl + double digits and ml. so this will be 3 years in a row that the bcs champiosnhip will have a double digit fave and hopefully they will lose outright for the second time.

 

[Aces High]

speed, depth, experience in the bigg game.

IT 'S A CANES THING

miami was unfocused throughout the season. bored with their weak schedule :shrug: but how aboot the La lakers ???

played ok last year through the season, then turned it up in the playoffs. same thing happens here.

miami has all the weapons to win this game hands down. how many are future top draft picks ?

osu just got by iowa and penn state, so they slacked too.

only thing that worries me is Canes tendency to get flags. a lot of PF in the game last nite. gonna b a ton of alum on the sidelines too.

DONT TAKE OFF YOUR HELMET !!!

good thing aboot alum, guys like sapp, c kennedy, e james, rohan marley, Luke Campbell :grins:

they know what it takes to win, and get these kids focused. is anybody suspended yet ???

no one got arrested last nite ??? :grins:

canes - 11
over 49

gl 2 nite

 

[Crazy Fingers]

Canes did struggle against FSU, but I cannot call the VT game a struggle. They were ready to go up by 35 when they got sloppy and called a stupid play. Miami will be focused tonight after a definite up and down, motivation speaking, season. Hope it's a good game.

GL everyone on your plays.

 

[Grama]

hey aces osu didn't play iowa

crazy- agree with vt not being a struggle, but do we forget pitt?
miami had to knock down a 4th down pass to barley keep the lead

 

[ferdville]

What does Ohio State do if the Canes go up by 14? If the Canes score early and maybe get a turnover or such to go up by 14, does Ohio State have the offense to get back into the game? If both running games get shut down, which qb would you rather have? OSU's kicking game is better, but so was Iowa's. This game has several areas where coaching and the ability to make changes will probably decide the game. But both coaches appear to be very strong. If Ohio State can stay ahead or keep the game even, will perennial Miami miscues (penalties, to's) make the difference? Lots of questions - hope we have a good game.

 

[taoist]

Nickel, to answer your question....

Nickel, to answer your question....

...the Miami team that shows up tonight is the fast one with several upcoming NFL draft picks on its roster.


...think that Miami wins this one going away.

 

[Crazy Fingers]

Pitt could be considered a struggle, but to me they didn't seem worried the whole game.

The main question that I have on tonights game is whether or not Miami will walk that 8th guy in the box tonight and force Krenzel to beat them. I know they haven't done it all year long, playing only the front seven against the run even when they are getting killed by it, but you would have to think they will do it tonight. If Clarrett goes off early, that is what I would expect them to do.

OSU has given up a ton of sacks this year as well. If they become 1 dimensional, watch out.

 

[Nickelback]

Ferdville,

I'd be very very surprised if Miami is able to shut down Clarrett and OSU's rushing attack. . . the only weakness of this Canes team statistically is their rush defense as it was 73rd in the country.

You're definitely right in that all hell will break lose if the Canes get going early. . . this is why I feel Ohio State will try and control this game on the ground which may open up passing opportunities later in the game. I still feel this Buckeye defense is being underrated and I feel they do have a little extra speed than the Hawkeyes. For two teams that haven't played each other, I find it very difficult to compare Ohio State to Iowa and categorize them based on last night's game. Actually, I feel USC's offensive attack was the best in the country and on display last night. I don't believe the Canes are as good on the offensive side of the ball.

Anyways, we can go back and forth on this all day as it appears Vegas is counting on. . . every place I look, there's almost even money on both sides so there will only be one true winner tonight and that's the books.

 

[ferdville]

Not only have they given up a lot of sacks, when you factor in that they pass less than 20 times per game, the propensity for getting sacked is even greater. If the Canes can stop the run, and that is a big "if", OSU has no chance.

 

[Nickelback]

ferdville,

How can a team get sacked when they run the ball most of the time? If you blitz too many times, you're already past the line of scrimmage which Clarrett has already broken!

I do agree. . . stop the run and it will probably lead to stopping OSU. . . but I still feel OSU's defense can keep them in this even if this happens! Yeah, I know I'm crazy!

 

[Crazy Fingers]

Ferdville, that's why I feel Miami will walk that safety up and make OSU try to pass. We will see :shrug:

 

[gjn23]

If you've watched these two team all year (as I have) you should recognize two things.

1) Miami has been adamant about playing straight up on defense and not putting the 8th guy in the box. Will they change tonight??? I think they do and their emphasis is on shutting down the run.
As for struggling vs VT...not a chance Miami kicked their ass up and down the field...VT had fluke plays everywhere that kept them "in the game" and covered the spread..I should know I had VT..but they didn't run the ball that well. The games where they really struggled were FSU (tough rival) and Rutgers (sleepwalking thru 3 quarters?)
Yes I agree they are not as good as last year...but that may have been one of the best college teams of all time.

2) OSU has not covered away from the Horseshoe all year vs some poor teams and while they do just enough to win, I don't think playing not to lose hold up vs Miami. I also see a mismatch in their matchup with with Johnson/Winslow in the passing game.


Again, like the analysis of last nights game..too many athletes and speed advantage on both sides of the ball. 12 is harder to cover than 5 but these games tend to get ugly, especially for a conservative offense if they fall behind by dd, panic sets in and bad things happen when they drop back to pass 30 times.

Close for a half but Miami pulls away 34-13.

 

[Nickelback]

Well, the right Miami team showed up. . . they just got beat by the better team

Seriously, Hurricane fans can whine all they want about that phantom PI call in the endzone, but Ohio State deserved this game IMO and this is coming from a neutral fan who did have his money on the Bucks, but still watched this from a neutral perspective after the game went to OT and I knew I had my covers.

Best game I have ever seen. . . can't imagine another college football game having so much packed into one game. . . we had the huge underdog, the brilliant plays, the clutch kick to send the game to OT, the 4th down completions by BOTH teams, the controversy, and finally, the goal line stand by the Buckeyes to win their National Championship.

Made some good money from these bowl games. . . lets do it again next year and we'll see most of you in the college hoops forum!

 

[Grama]

great summary Nickel, I enjoyed your input this year.

Good Luck