Miami Hurricanes Prepare for Battle Against Oklahoma

The No. 18 Miami Hurricanes face their fourth consecutive hard-hitting game this season when they host No. 8 Oklahoma this weekend.

When these two teams meet, it once again revitalizes a rivalry that is in need of a boost.  The last meeting between the ‘Canes and the Sooners came in 2007 when Oklahoma defeated Miami 51-13 in Norman. 

Saturday’s match-up is the seventh between two traditional powers; the series is tied at three.  Both coaches said they were glad to get this game on the schedule.

"It's an exciting week as our team and Miami get together here this weekend, it's just exciting with the tradition and histories of the programs,” head coach Bob Stoops said at the team press conference. 

“We recognize that going down to Miami is a big challenge. They are a team. I know they didn't play as well in the Virginia Tech game, but we look at the entire body of work of what they have done this year.

“They have been very impressive, they have a very difficult schedule and they have handled it really well, especially with great wins in their first two games.”

The game will be under the lights of Land Shark Stadium; far from the home field advantage the mythical Miami Orange Bowl once provided the team; they have a record of 8-2 at Land Shark.  Miami (2-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) battles their fourth straight Top 20 opponent and the Sooners are the first non-conference game of the year.

“It’s good for college football to go across the country and play different teams,” Miami head coach Randy Shannon said at the team press conference.  “The more that happens, the better it is for the sport.

Miami will try and rebound from their 31-7 loss at then No. 11 Virginia Tech.  After a fast start against then No. 18 Florida State and then No. 14 Georgia Tech, they took a blow in Blacksburg where the Hokies offense exposed the rush defense with 272 yards on the ground and Jacory Harris was kept off-balance all day long by the aggressive opposing defense line.

“We did some things that weren’t right on defense,” Shannon said.  “We didn’t tackle very well and we went back full speed today and got back to basics. Those guys know they have to respond.”

Oklahoma (2-1) enters the game ranked in the Top 10 following a loss to BYU in the first game of the season, losing reigning Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Sam Bradford to a shoulder injury through the first three games.  Whether or not Bradford will play in the game is left to see but Miami head coach Randy Shannon said it doesn’t matter.

“It’s the same offense,” Shannon said.  “It doesn’t change at all.  They run the same plays [no matter who is at quarterback].”

Freshman quarterback Landry Jones has led the Sooners through shut out wins over Idaho State and Tulsa.  His combined efforts this season are 49-81 for 673 yards nine touchdowns and three interceptions.  His biggest target is wide receiver Ryan Broyles, responsible for 309 yards and seven touchdown receptions; Broyles has had two 100-yard receiving games.

They bring a running game to Miami that features three running backs with over 100 yards rushing.  DeMarco Murray leads the ground game with 219 yards on 32 carries and two touchdowns. 

The Oklahoma defense has not allowed points since BYU’s game winning touchdown drive in Arlington.  The team has completely shut down the rushing game, averaging 40.7 yards per game.  The pass defense has held opponents to 182.7 yards per game.

For Miami, the Virginia Tech game was the first time this year the team was held under 400 total yards, with only 209.  In his first two starts Harris completed at least 60 percent of his passes. However the Tech defense stifled the sophomore quarterback holding him to 9 of 25 passing, a 36 percent completion percentage. 

In his first two games Harris’ success relied on being able to spread the passing game, with at least eight players catching a pass.  Last week, only three receivers saw the ball come their way, a measure of the team’s struggles against Virginia Tech. 

Whether or not Bradford straps the chinstrap Saturday night in a nationally televised game, both teams will try to avoid dropping their second game of the season.

You can catch what's new on my blog at http://carlos-pineda-sports.blogspot.com/