Miami-Oklahoma: Hurricanes Need Heart, Lovely Runs, and Smothering D for Upset

When Oklahoma comes to Land Shark Stadium this Saturday night, it will mark the second time in two years that the Hurricanes and Sooners have faced each other.

On Sept. 8, 2007, Miami was demolished 51-13 in Norman, only gaining 139 total yards against a great Oklahoma defense. Freshman Sam Bradford picked apart Miami's defense with five TD passes and 205 yards in three quarters.

Obviously, those are not the same Miami and Oklahoma teams that will be playing this Saturday, yet the defensive backs of Miami have not proven to be any better than 2007.

There are a couple of headlines going into the game.

Can Miami stop the run?

Can Miami do anything against one of the best, if not the best, defensive teams in the country?

Here are the things Miami must to do to win this game.

First, they need to stop the run.

It seems like this is always the case, but this time it means a lot. If Bradford doesn't play and freshman Landry Jones has to rely solely on passing, Miami's chances of winning are better since Jones is only a freshman and Bradford wouldn't be 100 percent.

Miami needs to tackle much better and let its speed settle in and not over pursue.

When three of the top four tacklers on a football team are defensive backs, that means the defensive lineman and linebackers are missing tackles or the pass is allowing too many catches, which brings me to the second thing Miami must do.

Miami NEEDS to have better coverage.

The team's young and inexperienced defensive backs have to get going. They need to cover better while the defensive front has to put pressure on Oklahoma's QB—something Miami has rarely done this year.

The one thing that is really holding Miami back is that defensive backfield.

Miami has faced only one passing team this year—Florida State—and couldn't stop them. Oklahoma is much better than FSU. They have great wide receivers and their offensive linemen are starting to play well.

Third, Miami has to be able to run the ball.

Plain and simple.

Oklahoma is No. 1 in the country against the run. If Miami can run it down the Sooners' throats, it will give them play action and that is what QB Jacory Harris thrives at.

Next, Miami needs to get its special teams in order.

They need to stay in their lanes and the kicker—whoever it will be this week—needs to kick high and far. The special teams have been horrendous lately.

Lastly, Miami needs to play with much more heart.

They need to stay composed—they cannot get frustrated by Oklahoma's offense. I do not believe Miami will hold Oklahoma to zero points, so they need realize the game is four quarters. The players must keep their heads up and play smart.

I know it seems as though these are all things they need to do every game, but this is different. This game will actually show Miami's true colors. 

Will they fold or will Miami bounce back, play lights out, and dominate like they know they can?

Tune in at 8 p.m. EST time and find out, because there will not be a bigger game on a bigger stage this year to test the character of these young Canes.

I personally am picking the Canes, 35-24.