Know the Ohio State Opposition: Miami Hurricanes

Mascot: Hurricanes

Stadium: Sun Life Stadium (75,000)

2009 Record: 9-4 (Lost to Wisconsin 20-14 in Champs Sports Bowl) 
Head Coach: Randy Shannon (4th season, 22-17)
Letterman Returning: 51 (20 lost)
Returning Starters: Offense- six; Defense- seven; Specialists- one
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Multiple...mostly Ace (three wideouts)
Returning Stars: QB Jacory Harris (pictured above); WR Leonard Hankerson; DE Allen Bailey & CB Brandon Harris

Notable Alumni:

Gloria Estefan - Grammy winning singer and songwriter
Woody Austin - PGA professional
Rick Barry - NBA Hall of Famer
Roy Firestone - Emmy winning sports journalist
Ted "The Stork" Hendricks - NFL Hall of Famer
Sylvester Stallone - Actor ("Yo Adrienne!")
Michael Irvin - NFL Hall of Famer
Grace Slick - Rock and roll legend
Gene Roddenberry - Creator, writer, and producer of Star Trek (for all you Trekkies out there)

Miami Overview

Ohio State has only faced Miami three times in their storied history, with the Buckeyes winning in 1977 and the Hurricanes claiming the contest in 1999.  Of course the third matchup was a slightly important game in January of 2003, claimed by OSU 31-24 in double overtime, giving the Bucks their first National Championship since the days of Woody Hayes.

While this game may not be quite as important as the last time the two teams met, it will be a big-time atmosphere in the 'Shoe on Saturday, with a national audience watching, and national championship implications. 

Randy Shannon brings the 2010 edition of the Hurricanes to Columbus on an upswing.  After following Larry Coker to Coral Gables, Shannon experienced immediate growing pains as Miami went through some tough times.  But led by quarterback Jacory Harris, last year's team took a giant step toward regaining national recognition, and this game is their opportunity to show the whole country they are back.

On offense this is an explosive squad. 

Harris threw for 3,352 yards a season ago with 24 touchdowns. Harris got off to a hot start a week ago against Florida A&M, hitting 12 of 15 passes and tossing three touchdowns. 

He is a big-time talent, but did have 17 interceptions a year ago, and does tend to throw it up for grabs under pressure.  Harris is also no threat to run the ball.  Last season he was sacked 34 times and wound up with negative 219 yards rushing. 

Getting a consistent pass rush would seem to be imperative for Ohio State. 

Harris has plenty of targets, led by Leonard Hankerson, (who recruiting nuts will remember).  After catching 45 passes for 801 yards in '09, Hankerson started this season with 100 plus yards and two TD a week ago. 

He is joined at wideout by Travis Benjamin, Aldarius Johnson, and LaRon Byrd.  There is plenty of size and speed for the Buckeye secondary to contend with. 

Benjamin, in particular, can flat out fly.  After losing a lot of talent at tight end, Miami is asking senior Richard Gordon to be a blocker, first and foremost, and it is doubtful he factors into the passing game a great deal on Saturday. 

It is ironic that Ohio State actually has the pass-catching tight end, and Miami has the blocker.

The Hurricane backfield features solid Darien Berry who shared time with two other tailbacks a year ago, rushing for 616 yards and eight TD, at 6.6 yards per pop.  Miami hoped to also have Greg Cooper back but he is out after an ACL injury, leaving the team a little thin behind Berry. 

The line in front of the talented skill position players is big and skilled. Although Miami did have to replace three starters from a year ago.  LT Orlando Franklin is probably the best of the bunch.  How well they can open holes for Berry and provide protection for Harris will go along way toward deciding the outcome of this contest.

On defense, Miami may not be as good as they were in 2002, but they are fast and furious, nevertheless. Last year's team surrendered 330 yards and 22.2 points per game, and returns seven starters. 

The line may be the fiercest part of the D, led by end Allen Bailey, who is big and explosive and led the 'Canes with seven sacks a season ago.  The tackles are big, as one would expect, and there is good depth across the line, so it will be a tough challenge for the OSU offensive line.

The linebackers are good, headlined by Collin McCarthy who was second on the team in '09 with 95 tackles.  The secondary has speed and depth, and is led by All-American candidate Brandon Harris, who defended 17 passes a season ago from his corner position. Huge safety Ray Ray Armstrong also bears keeping an eye on.

Miami employs Matt Bosher for both kicking and punting, and he did a stellar job at each a year ago, including making all 50 extra points, and 14-16 on field goals.

Overall it is tough to find too many holes on the 2010 edition of the Hurricanes

Game Outlook

A raucous Horseshoe should be in for a treat Saturday afternoon, as two good teams take the field led by talented field generals.  Our sense is that both squads will come out with a few butterflies, and feel each other out in the first quarter. 

Eventually, though, it will come down to who wins the all important battle in the trenches.  Offensively, Ohio State has the stronger running attack, and a great deal of depth at tailback.  Plus the Bucks have a quarterback with wheels. 

Expect OSU to win the ground battle handily.  If they don't it will be a long afternoon. 

Pryor will not have the kind of time he did against Marshall, so he needs to get rid of the ball more quickly, roll out more, and use his legs.  If he has a solid game passing, spreading it around, while avoiding turnovers, Ohio State will be awfully tough to beat.

On defense, the Buckeyes must get more pressure on the quarterback than they did a week ago.  Look for them to blitz more, but also to try and use more stunts to free their defensive ends.  If Nathan Williams can play half the game, that would be a great bonus, as both he and Cameron Heyward need to come up big. 

The Ohio State secondary looks a little weak in the middle, and another key is the play of strong safeties C.J. Barnett and Orhian Johnson. 

The line backing crew is solid, but needs to force some turnovers, which they are more than capable of doing.  Obviously, the secret weapon is Tyler Moeller, who is a little bit safety and a little bit linebacker, and can wreak havoc all over the field.  If he, Rolle and Homan come to play, it will turn things in Ohio State's favor.

The other big key is special teams, and they must be improved from a week ago, or it could spell disaster.  This would be a good week for one of the young speedsters to break a long one on a return, as well.

This game will be a slugfest and should stay close, at least through the first three quarters. 

Ohio State's depth and experience should start to swing things at that point.  In the end, the difference, from our vantage point, is the ground game.  While Miami should struggle for rushing yardage, the Buckeye's bevy of backs and swift quarterback will be able to run effectively.  That should be enough to make the difference.

Father vs. Son Predicition Battle

Dave: OSU 27-17
Drew: OSU 24-21