Miami vs. Ohio State: An Early Look

Friday January 3rd, 2003. A day that will live in infamy for Miami fans, and a day that will live in triumph for Ohio Sate fans!

Depending on which side of the field you sat, Terry Porter has a special place in your heart as either a hero or goat. One thing that CAN be said by either squad is that the late call in the end zone added an element of controversy to an otherwise fantastic match up.

I think any Ohio State fan can attest to the sheer annoyance in having to defend their only title in 40 years every time some drunk fan of a team other than Ohio State gets into a "discussion" about that team's supremacy!

The matchup, and game itself was truly one of poetry. A duel which pitted the David's from Columbus wielding their slingshot in the form of a freshman running back, #13 named Clarett, against the Goliath's of Miami. A team who came to Tempe riding a 34 game win streak and to this day is still labeled as one of the greatest teams of all time.

September 11th, 2010 gives Miami a shot at revenge, and although most of the current team's players were in middle school at the time of the game, the majority of them are from south Florida and surely remember it vividly.

Fate; being the ice cold wench that she is, sees the 2002 roles reversed. But is the early pre-season chatter about the cake walk that Ohio State has in front of it justified? Ahead is an in depth look, position by position, at what lay ahead. Obviously these are early looks, and could change day to day in camp via injury.

Quarterback Edge: Tie

I really want to call this category a wash, something in me however is telling me that Jacorey Harris's leadership and willingness to play hurt give him the slight advantage.

Harris has completely OVER-performed since coming to the Gables. He was a 3-star prospect, even though he led Miami Northwestern to a USA today consensus High school national title.

He battled Marve as a true freshman to earn playing time and eventually the starting nod. J12 passed for over 3,000 yards in 2009, his sophomore season, adding 24 TDs and 17 interceptions.

It should be noted that he was hurt in the Wake Forrest game after hitting his hand on a defenders helmet, resulting in a much delayed, off season surgery that kept him out of the spring game. Still, he played the entire season through the bowl game, which was a hideous loss to Wisconsin in the Champ's Sports Bowl.

Terelle Pryor, in my opinion, has UNDER-performed in his time in Columbus. Pryor was the #1 recruit in the country in 2008, and was expected to step in right away like Mike Vick, Donovan McNabb, and Jake Plummer.

I leave out the obvious comparison to Vince Young, as I feel that he's on the same track as Vince. Vince didn't start killing it until his sophomore season. TP was EXPECTED to step in as a true freshman.

Although he has shown flashes of brilliance in the run game, his passing has left questions to say the least. He simply has not come in and lit up opponents the way his Youtube highlights would have led us (all of us, myself included) to think he would.

That being said, he has made significant progress and is poised for a break out year in 2010, and should he pull off the trifecta against Miami, Wisconsin, and Iowa WILL garner Heisman attention.

I'm going to call this category a wash, because as much as it may be argued, these are two completely different quarterbacks. J12 is a pocket passer with an unconventional, but affective, lightning quick delivery, and unparalleled poise and leadership.

TP is a running QB with tremendous athletic ability, who showed promise as a passer in the Rose bowl against Oregon, but needs to show me more. After watching his spring game, however, I am truly scared, he looks to be on point. It will be a great battle between two Heisman hopeful signal callers.

Running Backs Edge: Miami

Miami suffered a horrible loss in the Champs Sports bowl when senior Graig Cooper went down in the quarter with a knee injury. In my opinion Cooper should redshirt his senior season, giving the 2011 'Canes squad elder leadership, but I'm admittedly selfish. The 2010 'Canes squad will be led by senior Damien Berry who didn't come into the picture until game five against FAMU. He ended the season second in rushing with 619 yards rushing (in 6 games), and has been compared by Shannon himself to Clinton Portis. Berry is an absolute stud, with nothing but studs behind him. Mike James spent 2009 as a fullback, due to Pat Hill's injury, but has the vision and patience of Edgerrin James. Lamar Miller has the speed and overall talent of Willis McGahee, and will probably make his name on special teams the way Graig Cooper did his whole career. Storm Johnson, a high school All-American, is making tons of noise as a true freshman for playing time. There are others in this squad who can make a difference (Lee Chambers, Eduardo Clements), but may be either redshirted or sent to defense where needs could be fullfilled.

The Buckeyes aren't without talent of their own. The consensus favorite to get the majority of carries is Brandon Saine, who in my opinion, should be third on the depth chart for Ohio State. Dan "Boom" Herron hits the hole with authority! Saine had a few more rushing yards last season but just lacks the overall ability that Herron has when it comes to vision and overall ability. Herron reminds me of Travis Henry minus speed, an amazing high school back who is nearly impossible to tackle with break away speed. If a backer looks to truck Boom head on, he will probably end up on his back, especially in the case of Miami's undersized, but speedy backers! The X factor in the Buckeyes backfield is Jamaal Berry, who Dade county high school fans should know well.Berry absolutely scares the crap out of me, He's a young, smaller Marshall Faulk with allusiveness and disgusting pass catching ability. The thing that's scariest about Jaamal is his lack of fear for Miami defenders. Despite what Buckeye fans will tell you, there IS a stigma that goes along with playing ball in south Florida! I'm not too sure how the 'Canes missed on this kid, it had to be because of our depth at the position and our taking Storm Johnson, whose a better fit given we have Lamar who's a slightly smaller, but otherwise identical back! 

I'm gonna call it, I think Jaamal Berry will be the best talent to suit up on Sept. 11th but the depth has to go to Miami! Im not convinced with Saine. Saine isn't the stud pundits would have you think, and although Jaamal Berry is under rated and in my opinion the best back on the field, I just don't see Tressel giving him any significant carries. Miami is just to deep even if Cooper spends the season on the sideline.

Wide Receivers-Edge-Miami

I will start this section off with who I think WILL be a top 20 draft pick in Devier Posey. A fluid route runner with excellent hands, he remids me of a tall Santana Moss. He just just seems to know where the ball is gonna be, and given a questionable passer like Pryor, Posey can save an offense with clutch nabs like fellow Buckeye (and south Florida stand out Santonio Holmes) Outside of Posey, there is little threat in the OSU corps. Dane Sanzenbacher has pro route running skills and hands but questionable speed and way below par strength! EVEN I can out bench him by fifteen reps! Thats not gonna cut it against physical DB's!, Even with Posey's top ten talent it's nothing that Miami's speedy, hard hitting safeties, and Sean Spence (should Tressel shift him to the slot) can't handle!

Miami has arguably the best squad in the nation. The 'Canes have every type of role receiver that can be thrown at you. Their numbers aren't great because J12 distributed the rock pretty well last season. The team leader for the 'Canes will be senior Leonard Hankerson, who has made a remarkable push to the first round of the NFL draft! Probably not as high as Posey, but he is only a few sick games from a top five selection. I don't think Posey can get that high! Although he has the size I just don't see his ball skills being quite that of Hankerson's, although they are great, not elite like Hank's! BUT, Im no Mel Kiper! Behind Hankerson, who honed his ball skills the past two seasons with Dolphins legend Mark Duper, is possesion receiver Laron Byrd, who is a quiet Keyshawn Johnson, amazing body control and hands with an affinity towards the out routes and slants that any west coast slinger would covet! Byrd is a go to out receiver perfect for third and mid range, think of Santana Moss but with exponential higher speed, or a Devin Hester without the size! Then there's downfield threat Travis Benjamin, and go to clutch man (and favorite target since pee wee's of qb Harris), Aldarious Johnson! Johnson reminds me of another Miami great named Johnson who just became the highest paid receiver in the NFL, Andre Johnson. They are nearly identical in stature and talents and just missed one another in jersey number! There is also new comers Allan Hurns, and Tommy Streeter, who have made strides in spring practice and notable catches in big time games like Wisconin. 

Bottom line, theres no way OSU can come close to the talent that the 'Canes have at this position. The Bucks could have the best overall immediate talent in Posey who may prove to be 2011's top wide out, but I think a solid outing in Columbus would put Hankerson ahead of Posey as a top ten pick! Beyond Posey, I don't see anyone who can match the talent of Byrd, Johnson, and Benjamin who should all go within the first 3 rounds in 2012, IF they stay in the Gables! Miami have every type of receiver you could imagine, WITH depth!! OSU's Devier Posey is an absolute stud,  but will struggle to make a contribution with Miami's solid secondary! Miami will bump his routes to their strength in the mid field edges, or may double him with one of their two more than adequate safeties, forcing TP to make a sick throw or pick out the check down which is still elementary for him, a he would prefer to chuck deep or tuck and run!

Offensie Line-Edge- Ohio State

Both squads have question marks but the Buckeyes have many, and I re-iterate, many less! The Bucks have an absolute stud in Justin Boren who has intelligence at the guard position and could play ANY LINE SPOT with pure brute, intellegence and skill, he has foot work that could put him at any line position and may land him at center at the next level. He will be a first or second round pick. He has made strides in spring camp, and could even move to the center position (in my opinion) this season He could be a top ten draft pick. He reminds me of the Colts Jeff Saturday! He has leadership skills and will pose issues for the 'Canes front seven. Micheal Brewster has made an impact at the center position but in my opinion lacks the leadership that Boren does and may be asked to take on a role he cant fulfill, but highly recruited out of high school, he could prove wrong. Tressel would be wise to swicth the two, or even move one of them to Left tackle where the Buckeys lack talent. The tackld position has a serious battle between Mike Adams and a converted tight end Andrew Miller If both continue to dis-satisfy, I personally would move Boren to left guard to protect TP's blind side, and leave Brewster at center. This may seem scater brained, but I think OSU's line is THE best in the country with maybe Iowa's a distant second, and feel that any of their lineman can play at any spot. They all have the size and skill to give Tressel fluidity at any position. Then again Im not a coach. The Bucks line, as is traditionally the case, amongst the nations best and shows tremendous diversity.

The 'Canes boast an improved line even though they lose five year starter Jason Fox, and center A.J. Trump. Buckeyes fans will be the first to tell you how the 'Cans O-Line got owned by the Badgers in the Champs Sports bowl. A major X factor in this discussion will be overall 2009 #1 recruit Sentreal Henderson, can he step in early and contribute? Also senior, CONVERTED, left tackle Orlando Franklin. If Franklin can keep J12's blind side clean this season, he should put up numbers. Henderson, who had a TMZ-like recruitment, has the sheer size and athleticism to contribute early, just, probably not early enough to have an impact in this game.

The decisive edge goes to the Bucks!

Tight Ends-Edge- Ohio State

I would love to call this a draw based on spring camp, but the fact is Ohio State's Jake Stoneburner made a "decent" name for himself with remarkable receptions against Navy, and Toledo. If that seems like a ridiculous argument to you, Miami has absolutely nobody with any proven talent at the college level, which is a tough pill to swallow given Miami's tradition at the position. 

In all fairness, and I'm a Miami fan, Stoneburner reminds me of a Kellen Winslow Jr. Great hands, not the greatest size at 6'5" and 245 but elusiveness that will give most weak side linebackers lots of troulble (see the wisconsin game, Miami had fits with this situation),and  a potential difference maker given Miami's lack of depth at linebacker.Behind Stoneburner is at least two tight ends that could play for anyone in the county. Nic DiLillo has tremendous blocking ability, and sophomore Reid Fragel has towering size with great technique and pass catching skills that leave room for improvement, but route running skills that give evidence to a possible notable career as an all around Tight end.

Miami is well known for its development of NFL talent at Tight end! Most notably was last year's third round NFL draft pick Jimmy Graham! A 4 year starter on the 'Canes basketball team, he stayed to take grad courses and played football for a single season. He played his way to a 3rd round pick by the Super Bowl Champs,New Orlean Saints. That being said Miami is once again thin at TE!

The defacto starter is senior Richard Gordon. A 6'4" senior who received a medical redshirt in 2009. 'Canes fans have a bit of hope in JUCO transfer Chase Ford who is a Texas native and reminds Shannon of a former heartland JUCO transfer in Jeremy Shockey, and freshman Asante Cleveland, who has made some unbelievable catches in Fall camps. 

Still, I gotta give the edge to the Bucks, strictly because of Stoneburner. He's a sophomore with the NATURAL skills to be a 3rd or 4th rounder, but with OSU's lack of depth at at wide out, will play himself into Terelle Pryor's 2nd or 3rd option and a possible 2nd round pick as an underclassmen.  

Defensive Line-edge - Miami

This is arguably Miami's deepest position. Injuries within the squad in 2009 alloted for depth in the position in 2010. 

The 'Canes are led by a future top ten pick in Allen Bailey. Bailey a 6'4" freak of a defensive end who, at times played tackle last season, which isn't far off given that Bailey benches close to 450 lbs, and weighs in at trim 285 lbs. Baley will see a lot of double teams this year, allowing redshirt senior Adawale Ojmomo to sop up sacks like they're black beans with Cuban bread! Which he no doubtedly enjoyed while a stand out at Hialeah High. Ojomo spent last season on the bench after suffering a broken jaw by a walk on who was later dismissed by the program. Inside, junior Marcus Forston looks to make the name that was etched in chalk and erased last season as a sophomore as a touted recruit from the Northwestern 8, that gave Miami the number 1 recruiting class in 2008! Miami will rotate Olivier Vernon, and Josh Holmes at end. Badgers fans may be flush with pride given Decembers victory overt the 'Canes but quarterback Scott Tolzien can attest to the true sophomore Vernon's speed at end. At tackle, Curtis Porter and Micanor Regis will rotate with the starters. These guys saw significant playing time last season with Forston being injured the majority of last season.

Ohio State boasts a stud in theire own right in Cameron Heyward. The Buckeyes list him as a defensive tackle. I believe this is a mistake, and think that the Bucks will switch between a 3-4 and 4-3 defense this seaso, given their lack of depth at defensive back and true defensive tackles. They need to play to their strengths which is without a doubt Linebacker. Heyward has the size and speed to be an top round end or outside linebacker at the next level. Given OSU's ability to provide young draft talent at the position I see Heyward plaing either at the next level, especially if the BUCKs fail to cover flat routes by backers or tight ends early in the season. I think it would be a mistake to not give the young guys a chance at DT, and put Heyward at end, a differnence making end who has first round ability at the position. Heyward and the Bucks lost two NFL draft picks in Thadeous Gibson, and Doug Worthington. The Bucks have only one upperclassmen over 300 lbs. at DT! That being said, The O-Line of Miami is suspect and could provide the Bucks with opportunities for undersized, underclassmen, to make names for themselves.

Still, even though I feel Heyward is a first round pick, Bailey will go higher, and the 'Canes line has depth to give Pryor fits.

Linebackers-Edge-Ohio State

This position is by far the least remarkable from either squad which is a shocker given the pedigree for both schools. Thats' not to say that either squad is without promise!. Miami boasts two studs in senior Colin McCarthy and Junior Sean Spence, who has a pension for huge hits (ask Tim Tebow) given his relatively small size. That being said, the 'Canes have a huge problem at filling middle linebacker, and adding depth to the overall positon. The reports from camp are that Kylan Robinson has less than impressed Miami coaches, and inuendos have been made that Colin McCarthy will move to MLB, and RB Lee Chambers will get camp reps at the outside. Spence needs to perform at WLB for this defense to be a success. As a freshman, he showed squints of brilliance against Florida, absolutely killing it against the eventual National Champion Gators, with highlight tackles against "Saint" Tim Tebow, and a death blow to Brandon James on an swing route. McCarthy is a fifth year senior who has shown promise in leading this 'Canes defense the way Dan Morgan did, but has yet show the ferocity that Morgan had! Miami lacks depth at this spot and it is the clear weakness for the Canes!

Ohio State has a better than decent roster at Linebacker. Fans and coaches will tell you that the unit is led by by seniors Ross Hormon, and Tyler Moeller. Junior Linebacker Etienne Sabino, who has worked his way into first team strong side linebacker is a beast, and will probably leave Columbus early, Sabino, (Surprise, Surpise) is a junior backer from North Miami Beach, who earned All-American, and All Dade county (who most will say is more important) honors. I think Jim Tressel absolutely stole this kid from Dade County and could follow the lines of AJ Hawk, and James Laurinitis as Buckey greats at the position. He reminds me of a young Ray Lewis in his intensity and sheer beastly attitude. If he leads this Buckeyes squad to big time victories, Im convinced he's a top ten talent!

Edge goes to Ohio State by default because of the 'Canes absolute lack of depth at the position. A deficiency that has them trying running back Lee Chambers at the position, much like receiver (and fastest kid on the squad) Sam Shilelds did last season! *Who should be noted is on the Packers squad as a CB, the Miami machine keeeps a rollin!

Defensive Secondary-Edge-Miami

This posiiton should be a no brainer, but I'm sure Bucks fans will argue. Miami has an All-American at corner back in Brandon Harris who led the nation in pass break ups last season. The players at the  safety positions the 'Canes boast are two of the most promising kids at the position who have been recruited in recent years. Both Ray Ray Armstrong and Vaugn Telemauque had signature tackles last season, (ask Oklahoma's Demarco Murray how hard Ray Ray can hit!) At the other corner is senior Demarcus Van Dyke who has been suspect in his career but will seldom see any team's number one receiver given Miami's depth in the defensive back field. Rotating in will be redshirt freshman Jamal Reid who has impressed in spring and fall camps, and junior JoJo Nichols, who has been given reps in camp to (who most think) to push Ray Ray into working harder.

The Bucks are suspect at best in the defensive secondary. Their prize is senior DB Chimdi Chekwa who should garner the responsibility for guarding the nations top wideouts this season. We have already gone over the 'Canes depth at the WR position but to be brutally honest, I don't think Chekwa has the ball skills to cover any of the receivers in multiple sets that Miami will throw at him. That being said, Chekwa is FAST! Surprise, surpise, he's a south Florida native who was part of the Big ten champion 4X100 track champions. If he had any depth behind him at his position this season, he could be a top ten DB, but OSU's defensive backfield is dessimated and he will be forced to play the majority of plays against the 'Canes which will mean run stopping, inside help, outside one-on-one skills, and even spot skills against both Berry and Harris out of the back field, that's just too much responsibility for a DB. 

I would say Chekwa and Harris are a wash, with Chekwa given the slight edge for his speed (Harris has better ball skills, but that can be taught to Chekwa once he sees better talent outside the Big Ten). This edge goes to Miami strictly because of Telemauqe, and Armstrong, who are the future of the safety position in the college game! Hard (and I mean disgustingly hard) hitters with ball skills, and brains for the game! Ray Ray has already been compared to legendary Sean Taylor, and Vaughn to Ed Reed for his vocal leadership on the field!

Special Teams-Edge-Miami

This sounds almost like blasphemy to say, but Miami's greatest strength is it's special teams, and it's most influential player is it's all EVERYTHING kicker ( I don't call him a kicker, I call him a booter, he just does the BOOTING for the 'Canes) Matt Bosher. Bosher will be called upon to do both the place kicking, punting, and kick off duties for the 'Canes this year. There's a mad rush in fall ball to find someone who can take over kick off detail to limit injury to Bosher, but the search continues. 

Ohio State has two unproven kickers in Ben Buchanon, and Drew Basil and a sophomore punter in Derek Irwin. 

Miami had a number of memorable run backs last season laden with monster hits, and house runs. Granted, two of those run backs were by dismissed wide out Therion Collier, but there's depth at the skill positions to make up for that. Travis Benjamin should handle the punt returns, who is amongst the ACC's fastest PEOPLE! In my opinion Lamar Miller and Storm Johnson should handle kick offs, which would give Miami some serious talent on kick offs.

Does Tressel have the cojones to stick Posey, Chekwa, and Jaamal Berry on returns. I don't know. I hope not! If he did, I don't care if David Beckham was kicking with his blown out achilles, I just may have to give this to the Buck's even though speed for speed the 'Canes may have them beat!

Intangibles -Edge-Ohio State

The game is in the Shoe! Point blank, that can null all previous arguments! It's amongst the loudest stadiums in sports to play. I know because I've been to the Swamp, Yankee stadium, LA Coliseum, Death Valley (both Clemson's and LSU's), the only venue I would put higher than the shoe (Big house included) is the Swamp, and that's sheer acoustics. Florida field is just set up in the perfect acoustic architechture!

The 'Canes will have it's hands full when dealing with the Columbus crowd. If there is any squad in the country that can handle it however, it's the 2010 'Canes. Having been to Doak Campbell, and Lane Bryant as Sophomores,and the Swamp and Death Valley as freshman, I just have a feeling they have the abillity to deal with the crowd noise and hostility. But, given their performance against Virginia Tech last season I can't give them the nod. The one thing I will say though is that Randy, as bad a game day coach as he may arguably be, spent years at "The U"! And, by "The U" I mean those bad ass teams in the eighties that used to walk into opposing top tier (see Michigan, and Notre Dame in the '80s) stadiums, knock over the garbage cans, have their way with underage daughters, and walk home to a victory leaving jay walking tickets, unpaid burger joint tabs, and iligitamate children in their wake! If anyone can bring the "swag", which I hate using that over used term but it seems fitting, Its my man Randy #22! The guy throwing up the U on route to a defensive touchdown in your '88 program!

It's gonna be a remarkable game, regardless of the outcome! The conference sharks in the breeds of Hawkeye, Tar Heel, and Badger will be waiting just off shore for the floating scraps!

Coaching-Edge-Ohio State

I'm not a Jim Tressel fan, in fact I think he has under performed in big time, out of conference, regular season games. Ohio State rarely plays a big time program out of conference in the regular season, although they ARE much more ballsy than the past two of four national champion Florida Gators. Florida hasn't played an out of conference ROAD, REGULAR SEASON game since 1991 (Syracuse, and it was a loss). In recent memory Ohio State has played USC twice, going 0-2, and Texas twice going 1-1, both home and home series. In BCS games, Tressel has fared decently with a 4-3 record. Tressel has recruited the North/Midwest like a mad man and has given Ohio State top tier recruiting classes ever since he's been in Columbus. Tressel is a title away from being an elite coach in football. He's missing possibly, one marquee win. He's porven to be an excellent recruiter, a solid gameday coach, and an adequate clutch coach.

I give Ohio State the obvious advantage in coaching, but I think Randy Shannon is a legend in waiting. He knows how to recruit, evidenced by a consensus #1 recruiting class in '08, and a top ten class in '07 and a #13 class last year prior to coveted recruits Seantrel Henderson, and Latwan Anderson signing late letters of intent. I don't put much salt in the supposed expert recruiting classes. I think programs should recruit players that work best in their system. Case in point is Tim Tebow! He was perfect for the spread offense, and spent a year in waiting behind Chris Leak. Shannon knows how to develop men, as evidenced by his #3 APR rating in the county, only behind Army and Navy, and he's learning to be a game day coach! I wouldn't put it past him to become amongst the greatest gameday leaders given his pedigree of having played under Jimmy Johnson, and coached under Butch Davis.

All in all, Tressel is the more PROVEN game day coach, hands down!

Overall edge -Miami

I know I'm gonna get crucified in this overall assessment since Im a Miami fan, but I think I've been fairly objective in my position by position comparisons. So hear me out please!

This game is PURELY about match-ups. The strengths of Miami are clearly on the offensive side of the ball in it's stable of backs and wide receiver corps. That being said, the 'Canes have a dominant Defensive Line, and CAN pressure Terelle Pryor with a seven man front, even though I see the 'Canes bringing the hard hitting strong safety Armstrong into the box to shut down the Buckeye's power run. I know, I know, "that's what Oregon tried to do in the Rose Bowl"! By the numbers the Ducks were SLIGHTLY worse than the 'Canes last season in run AND pass defense, but the 'Canes started a true freshman in Ray Ray Armstrong and a hurt RS freshman in Vaughn Telemauqe. All- american corner Brandon Harris is gonna own Devier Posey, since he owned similar NFL talent in Duke's Donovan Varner, and Oklahoma's Ryan Broyle's. Both of which I feel are similar NFL prospects than Posey, though Posey will probably end up drafted higher than both.

This game will be won in the trenches as most huge games are! It's definitley a case of strength against strength, as Miami's DL is figured to be amongst the nation's best, as is Ohio State's Offensive line. Miami's Offensive line is suspect but talented with seniors Joel Figueroa, and Orlando Franklin captaining a young group agianst an Ohio State Defensively line that really doesn't boast a threat other than top tier NFL talent Cameron Heyward. It will be interesting to see who on the Bucks DL will step up when Heyard gets doubled and tripled.

In the end I see the match ups just working in the 'Canes favor. TP will be forced to pass to check down's and lesser talented slot wides who Miami's speedy backers and ends will blanket.The Buckeye's will definitely pressure J12 and will probably sack him 3 or 4 times, but in the end, there are just too many backs and receivers that can not only get open, but can accumulate YAC against a suspect OSU defensive secondary.

In the end I just have a gut feeling that Miami has the speed on defense to both keep Terelle Pryor in the pocket and cover his targets in Devier Posey and Brandon Saine running out of the backfield. The only caveat I would have is that If Jake Stoneburner lives up to his billing as a top tier recruit, one-on-one TE, which killed Miami in the Champ's Sports Bowl, OSU will win. 

All in all, Its gonna be an epic game despite what you read on the blogs on either end of the Mason Dixon line. I think Miami has more to lose given last year's disappointing finish, however will be under less pressure given Buckeye nation's expectations of a title this year. Tressel can lose and keep his job, Shannon comes back to the Gables with a loss, and he better start filling out his resume, because one or two more, could mean an early exit on his four year post season contract extension.

I got Miami poetically by the same score it SHOULD have won in 2002, 24 to 17! With the diffence coming on either a special teams play, or defensive turnover!