Ohio State vs. Miami Preview
Ohio State Buckeyes 2-0 (16) @ Miami Hurricanes 0-1
September 17, 2011
7:30 pm - ABC
Sun Life Stadium
Miami, Florida
The Drama: Bouncing back.
As well as Ohio State played against Akron they played equally as bad against Toledo. The Bucks had no answer to the team speed of the Rockets and with an opponent like Miami (FL) up next, Ohio State better find a solution. Fast. (Pun intended) Miami looked hot and cold against Maryland two weeks ago and with the absence of starting quarterback Jacory Harris, the Hurricanes couldn’t finish the game. With Harris scheduled to start, the Hurricanes have another speedy threat that will keep the Silver Bullet defense busy. Were the Buckeyes looking ahead last week or are they just not that good?
The Buckeyes will win because: Turnovers.
Miami is prone to turnovers and the Ohio State defense is good at knocking the ball free. The offense is still in flux as we are still expecting several starters back so the defense will shoulder the weight until their return. Miami is smallish at their skill positions but they are fast, much like Toledo. I don’t expect too many yards on the ground for the Hurricanes but the defense had better be ready for the air attack.
The Buckeyes will lose because: The Short Game and Special Teams.
The Bucks are going to get bitten in the butt if they can’t find a kicking game. Toward the end of the Toledo game, punter Ben Buchanan was pinning the Rockets back deep in their own territory but kicker Drew Basil still has yet to make a field goal in 2011. With all the suspensions, the Buckeyes are not good enough to be without a kicking game. The other thing that should really concern OSU fans is how badly the defense was torched by the speed of Toledo. Miami is every bit as fast and the blueprint for “How to Beat OSU” was exposed by the Toledo short game. For whatever reason, Ohio State stinks at covering the screen pass and Toledo went to that well time and time again on Saturday to great success. Miami can dink and dunk the ball all day long and let their athletes make plays. If OSU doesn’t shut down the short plays it will not end well for the Buckeyes.
The Hurricane spotlight is on: Jacory Harris.
Hurricane quarterback Harris had a rough game last year in the ‘Shoe with a 4 interception day. This will be his first game of the 2011 season having sat out the Maryland game two weeks ago with a suspension for NCAA benefits violations.
“Cooler” Stat of the game (macho stats for the water cooler): 47-32
Miami leads Ohio State in current players in the NFL.
The Bottom line: Speed Kills.
I don’t like Ohio State’s chances against Miami. The Hurricanes are fast and Toledo exposed the Buckeye’s weak point; the short game. Miami will try to get the ball into the receiver’s hands quickly and let them make plays against the Buckeye defense. When you think of the Hurricanes this is exactly their type of game plan. Ohio State can’t afford to play a close game since the kicking game has not developed so OSU needs to come out strong and complete long scoring drives. The entire team must play better if they are going to win this game. I’m giving the Buckeyes a win here but it will be another close one.
Prediction: OSU 24 – UM 21
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By 'Pia' Pete Quint
TBDBITL 1992-96
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