| 09 September 2010
I have two major problems going right now. You already know about my love of scotch and real beer. What you may not know is I am one of those sick coffee drinkers. I have an espresso machine that cost more than most guys pay for their first car. I have a newly opened bag of 100% Kona and I am so full of cafeine that I am blinking my eyes. The other problem is I am already so wound up for the Miami game that I am scaring my dogs. My wife left early for work. The chaos of her job is a respite from me.
I was optimistic for the Rose Bowl against Oregon. I am even more optimistic for this game. Frankly, I think Miami is overrated. I keep hearing about the "U." I know the U. Miami, you are not the U. Not yet anyway. The program is on the right track but I think this team is overrated. It is better than it was a couple of years ago but it is still a shadow of the glory that was once Miami U.
I think the Buckeyes are clearly the better team. Miami has speed? So does Ohio State. They found that out the last time we ran into them. They were shocked to find out that we could run with them. They are in for a rude awakening. But I don't think that is where we win the game.
I think we overpower this Miami team. I think we run right at them with fresh back after fresh back, with no dropoff in talent. I do not think we run them out of the stadium but I see a clear win for the Buckeyes. I do think it gets ugly before it is a close game. Something that was pointed out to me is that Miami was the number five defense in the ACC last year. That is not a feather in the cap. Seven starters return from that unit.
I see a talented quarterback in Jacory Harris. Before the Oregon game I think you would find a substantial number of Buckeye fans that would have traded Pryor for Harris. He has been that impressive throwing the ball. We think about him as an athlete but he is a pocket passer. That is where I think the game changes. Getting pressure on Harris. Let me back up. Nobody is going to run on the Buckeyes. Nobody. When has anyone ever run on the Buckeyes? Miami is going to be the one to run on the Buckeyes? I have heard national pundits talk about who the Buckeyes lost on the defensive line. This line is better. We are bigger in the middle and Nate Williams is a better pass rusher and playmaker than Thaddeus Gibson. That is what could turn this into a one-sided affair. Consistent pressure on Harris is what the game hinges on.
That brings me to my concerns. Not getting pressure exposes a secondary that I am not sure of. I like our starting corners. I see the old Jermale Hines at strong safety. I have some concerns about C.J. Barnett and have yet to see Ohrian Johnson be the player that so many others think he is. I am concerned about Miami going over the top if we do not get pressure on Harris.
My other concern is protecting Pryor. We will see our tackles tested. I thought Mike Adams had his best game as a Buckeye last Saturday. He had a couple of bad plays but it was not so long ago that it was harder to find his good plays than singling out his bad ones. These Miami ends will test he and J.B. Shugarts. If we protect the quarterback it is going to be a long day for Miami.
Finally, I think the edge in coaching is huge. I don't see Randy Shannon, a guy who does not realize that Columbus, that "little city" http://theozone.net/football/2010/Miami/helpfromfriend.html , is bigger than Miami, outcoaching Jim Tressel. At one time Kirk Herbstreit called Jim Tressel the best big game coach in the country. We had a bumpy road for a few years but I think we have seen Jim Tressel recently return to a point that he at least belongs in that discussion.
Buckeyes cruise, 27-13.
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