This Saturday, the Buckeyes take on Miami in what is touted as one of the biggest games of the college football season — or at least this weekend. Now that Boise State has apparently locked up their spot in the BCS championship, all eyes turn to Ohio State and an up and coming Miami to see if either team is worthy of the national spotlight.
What makes this game so great is that there are still so many unanswered questions about both teams. Both teams front high powered quarterbacks looking to prove that they have grown and developed since last season. Both teams will test offensive lines that have struggled at times in the past but again, have both shown improvement since last season.
Most important, both teams are looking to prove that they are the top contender in the BCS title hunt.
Up and comers?
Let me just get this out of the way. Yeah, Miami is returning a number of veterans and yeah, they may have shone some signs of improvement since last year but what is it in last year’s 9-4 record and a bowl game loss that makes them think they are now an elite program? And while Miami fans will be quick to point out that Ohio State lost two National Championship games since that fateful night in 2003, at least we were there. Miami hasn’t even been able to secure an ACC title since joining the division in 2004. Doesn’t matter when we’re talking about “The U.” They are a cheeky bunch if nothing else.
Keys to the Game: 1- Offensive Line
There is no question that the offensive lines on both sides of the ball are going to be a huge factor in deciding this game. Both Terrell Pryor and Miami quarterback Jacory “J12″ Harris have been known to make big mistakes under pressure. If the o-lines can protect their man and allow him to do his work, then both teams can bring a powerful offensive threat.
I’ve already discussed my optimism in this year’s offensive line and that hasn’t changed. If anything, it’s gotten a little better. No, they didn’t face much of a test against Marshall and yes, Marshall did get to Pryor on two occasions. However, the Buckeye o-line did show depth that I didn’t expect and are light years ahead of where they were this time last season.
On the other side of the ball, Miami doesn’t look as solid. Maybe they’ve come a long way since last season but they let Wisconsin defenders through for five sacks in the Florida Citrus Bowl. Harris has yet to prove himself under pressure and if the Miami offensive line can’t protect him, it may be a long night for the Hurricanes.
2) Pryor vs. Harris
These two quarterbacks have a lot in common. Both have struggled in the pocket and have been prone to mistakes under pressure. Pryor however has shown continued development on the passing front. Against both Oregon in the Rose Bowl and Marshall in the season opener, Pryor demonstrated much better feel for the oncoming defenders and managed the collapsing pocket much better.
Harris meanwhile has struggled under pressure and there’s no question, the Ohio State defense is going to pressure Harris. Last season Harris threw 17 interceptions. Ohio State finished 2009 with a total of 24 interceptions, second best in the NCAA. There seems to be a lot of confidence in the “J12″ but I’m betting that he will struggle against a smothering Ohio State defense.
Don’t believe me? Check out the video analysis to the right. Great break down of Pryor’s development and a maturity we have yet to see from Harris.
3) Tressel’s confidence in Pryor
One of the keys to Pryor’s performance in the Rose Bowl was Coach Tressel turning him loose. For most of last season, we were forced to watch the Buckeyes run a ridiculously conservative offense. Then suddenly, it was like a faucet had been opened and the flood gates opened. It got even better in the opener against Marshall as Pryor managed to share the wealth including three completions to Jake Stoneburner cutting accross the middle.
If Pryor can prove himself early we should get to see the Evil Tressel we’ve all come to know and love. And if ever there was a team that deserved a little Evil Tressel, it’s Miami. Add Brandon Sane’s speed on the ground and it’s doubtful we’ll see the conservative play of the last few years.
The biggest thing Miami can do is to shake Tressel’s confidence early and force him into conservative play calling. It’s not like the Buckeye’s haven’t won them conservatively either but if Evil Tressel rears his ugly head, look out Miami.
4) Buckeye Defense
Let’s face it, what’s an Ohio State team without a killer defense. If they can pressure Harris early, and they will, mistakes will happen and the turnovers will come. Put the fear into Harris early and the Buckeyes will control this game.
Prediction
The Buckeyes are 8.5 point favorites. As much as I hate spreads, I think the Buckeyes will cover with room to spare. The Buckeye defense will force limit the run and force Harris to throw under pressure. Once he does, so will the turnovers. Evil Tressel, smelling the blood from the ’03 Fiesta Bowl will rear his ugly head and capitalize on good field position.
Buckeyes win 32 to 22.
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not very objective article…you point out the OSU had a weak line last year… but say its better know because how they played against Marshall and the Rose Bowl …..they are better… how? last year’s Rose Bowl is not an indicator of this years team… and Marshall sacked Pryor twice…where is the improvement… and Miami has a totally different line then last year….ST seems to be an advantage for the U as does the U’s wr vs OSU’s db…but the OSU interior line seems to have an advantage over the interior of the U’s D line….both teams DE seem to have an edge of the other teams OT…Pryor runs better and Harris is more accurate….both have good rb’s…maybe that LB play decides this game….or a big ST play… i go 31-30 Canes!
Hey Tony, I really like pointing this out…Harris had 17 interceptions last year…so how is he more accurate than Pryor who had 8? Sure, go ahead and point out that we lost two national championships…but at least we were there, lol. Also, please do not give me the normal southern excuse, “I’d rather not go if I have to lose.” Wake up call bud – your team landed in Columbus and no doubt shaking in their shoes. Tomorrow, Miami will find out just what it’s like to be hit by a Hurricane. OSU has better and more experienced talent all the way around – if Harris has a bad day, you’re doomed by 21 or more….if he has a decent day, you may only lose by 14. Either way – it’s a loss for the “up and coming” Cryami Hurricanes. BTW, do you people that cheer this team on, really believe that you won in 2003? Go to youtube and lookup the bad call in regulation play where OSU threw a complete pass to Chris Gamble and the ref ruled him out of bounds….that is if you really wanna talk about getting ripped off. It only went into OT because the refs messed up in the first place, lol. We won even before the final play where you guys started crying about it. Time to pay again bud, your team is just not good enough yet.
Both teams are unproven this year beacuse last weeks games were nothing but practice games.
I look back the Rose Bowl where Ohio State demolished a team with great game breaking speed. If my memory is correct we were to be done by halftime.
Miami is that kind of team maybe a bit better than the Ducks, but nothing OSU cannot handle.
I see a 27 -10 ending score and another beat up Miami team limping home from an ass kicking at
the hands of the Buckeyes.
YOU SEE THAT TONY? ASS KICKING AT THE HANDS OF THE BUCKEYES! ROCK ON GULFPORTCARL!
I’m afraid you’re in the wrong place if you’re looking for objectivity. However, there is no question this line has come together. They’ve been on a very steep upward curve since the Purdue game. It’s not just the Rose Bowl. Although the Purdue game was an abysmal low, it was also a wake up call that brought the 0-line together.
Before the Purdue game, they appeared disorganized and without identity. Since that game, they have shown a completely different level of leadership and teamwork This was even more apparent during the preseason as these guys matured into upperclassmen. I get into it in a little more depth in another heavily biased (no qualms about that) post which is referenced above.
By the time Marshall got to Pryor, you had to look pretty deep in the depth chart to find who let them through.
The difference between Ohio State and Miami in this department is that while we keep hearing that Miami has improved, we have nothing to look to for evidence. I’m afraid I haven’t kept up with Miami preseason so maybe there is something there that I missed.
In my mind, Henderson is the X factor on the offensive line. If is ready to play and plays like I think he can, he could have a big impact.
We’re also seeing an accuracy from Pryor that we’ve been waiting to see for a long time. This is due to maturity and his ability to better manage the pocket. Although we saw him do it a couple of times against Marshal, he at least appears less likely to just throw the ball when pressured.
Again, if Harris is pressured, his accuracy seems to take a big step backward.
I’m really interested to see the defensive performance from both sides of the ball. From what I hear, the Miami D has speed. It will be interesting to see what they can do.
As for the score prediction…again, consider the source. If Tress gets the chance though, I think he’ll really open it up.
Atttaboy Carl — our Buckeye in exile.
Miami has a totally different line? I call that rebuilding. I’m still unclear how a win over Fla. A&M is any indication that they have improved over last years team that got man-handled by a Wisconsin team who not only got thumped by Ohio State, but also lost to Northwestern….
The Buckeyes are improved over last years team based on the natural Maturing process of both Pryor and the O-Line. The Canes are basing their improvement on hopes, dreams and an unchecked ego fueled by a spurt of success from the 80s.
Come back and talk to us when you can win your own division, let alone your conference.
An afternoon in the shoe will have the Canes longing for the “friendly” confines of Doak Campbell or Death Valley.
I lived in Miami in the early 90s and attended several games in the Orange Bowl. The atmosphere there was NEVER even close to that of the shoe.
Good luck this weekend… you’ll need it.
It’s eerily quiet in here. What gives?
Our O-line can neutralize their D-line. They will be forced to over pursue and shoot the gaps. Another 200+ yard rushing performance will be realized. Pryor will do to the Miami D what Vince Young did to our much more talented and accomplished D in 2005. I’m thinking 200 yards and two TD tosses are a reality Saturday.
If anybody had a chance to watch The Marshall game on DVR, they will see that we came off the ball so fast and blew up the line from sideline to sideline. The Marshall QB got rid of the ball in a snap and rarely had time to set his feet. I hear we didn’t have a pass rush but when I look at the replay the QB had to be knocked down at least 8 times even with a quick dink and dunk.
This one could get ugly by the third quarter. Miami won’t know what hit ‘em
34-13 Buckeyes.
Alan…they’re here, just spread out among the posts.
You ready for this Alan, I just got asked by Flo T.V. to travel around the tailgate parties judging the best tailgates. They’re giving out a stack of their portable t.v’s with a year’s subscription to the best tailgate. Really wishing I was making the trip.
Also, for those of you who are going to the game, Criag Krenzel and Archie will be signing autographs outside of St. John’s. Archie will be there from 10:00 to 11:30 and Krenzel will be there from 12:00-2:00. Sport’s Illustrated and Nissan will be giving out t-shirts and stuff.
I’m getting a number of press releases on Sat. events. If I get a chance later today, I’ll post them.
AB-we are at the Denver airport having a bloody Mary right now. Meeting Wayne and crew at Woody’s Tavern in the ne Union at 5:30. Getting charged up!
I’m on an Airbus 320 heading back to OH for the game and the only Miami fan on the plane is sitting right by me. That’s about the right ratio. About 149:1.
It’s easy to get caught up in the OSU hype….if you are forced to live in Ohio. Reality will hit you with a force you cannot imagine. Board up the shoe, a Hurricane is coming. You can talk all you want about Miami going 9-4 last year and how great you think your QB is. This fact remains: The Canes are coming with the sole purpose of owning the shoe…and they will put a boot in your collective asses along the way. Be warned. Be prepared. No talk. No excuses.
I look forward to your post-game sobs and whimpering.
WELL WELL WELL! SINCE YOU WERE SO SURE…LET’S NARROW DOWN WHAT HAPPENED, SHALL WE? FORGET THE 4 INTERCEPTIONS, TAKE BACK THE TWO RUN BACKS WE GAVE YOU, POSEY’S TD BECAUSE OF OUR OWN HOLDING PENALTY, PRYOR’S MISTAKE OF THROWING BEHIND THE RECEIVER IN THE END ZONE WHEN HE HAD THE WHOLE CORNER TO MAKE A TD, AND THE COUNTLESS TIMES WE COULD HAVE SCORED ON YOUR ASSES BUT DIDN’T BECAUSE OUR COACH HAS TOO MUCH CLASS – AND WE WOULD HAVE STILL STOMPED A MUD HOLE IN YOUR ASS AND KICKED IT DRY. OH AND I’LL ALSO HAVE YOU KNOW, THAT WE DID SUPPLY THE KLEENEX TISSUES FOR ALL OF YOUR WHINY CRYAMI HURRICANES PLAYERS FOR THE TRIP HOME. DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT SINGING YOUR 4 INTERCEPTION WHAT IF SONG EITHER. YOUR TEAM WAS OUT CLASSED, OUT PLAYED, OUT COACHED, AND THEY COULDN’T EVEN TELL EXACTLY WHICH WAY “THE REAL” HURRICANE ONSLAUGHT WAS COMING FROM. USUALLY FOR THEM IT COMES FROM THE COAST, THIS TIME IT WAS FROM THE TEAM WITH THE MOST. FOR ALL YOU OSU HATERS OUT THERE, GET YOUR HATE HAT DRY CLEANED, YOU’RE GOING TO NEED IT ALL SEASON LONG! GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY TO THE TOILET BOWL!