College Football Week In Review: Week 2

During the college football season we will run a "College Football Week In Review" feature in conjunction with OGV's "The Short List" feature to continue our on-going evaluation of the college football scene on a national basis from week to week.

Each week we will take a look back at the games that mattered most to your Miami Hurricanes.  We will review each team on Miami's schedule, every team in the ACC and the top 25 ranked teams' wins and losses that may have an impact on the Hurricanes' poll rankings and BCS ratings. 

Here is week two of college football in review:

This week in the Top 25

What a difference a week makes!  After only four of the top 25 teams lost last week (Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Oregon State) an astounding six teams lost this week. 

There will be no changes at the top as #1 Alabama, #2 Ohio State, #4 TCU and #5 Texas all won easily.  The Crimson Tide beat Jo Pa and the Nittany Lions 24-3 and remains the Nation's undisputed top ranked team. The #2 Buckeys beat the Hurricanes, the fourth ranked Horned Frogs won 62-7 over mighty Tennessee Tech while Texas won handily 34-7 over Wyoming.

Last week VT turned #3 Boise State into a contender for the national championship by losing to the team that plays on the blue turf.  This week the Hokies proved themselves to be a pretender as they lost to lowly James Madison.  Ouch, now that's gonna leave a mark!

The third ranked Broncos meanwhile had the week off after their big 33-30 win over the Hokies.  Boise faces Wyoming next Saturday.  Remember, they will eventually lose to Fresno State, effectively eliminating them from national championship contention.

Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, three of the top 25 teams that lost (VT, FSU and GT) are on Miami's schedule, which will once again hurt the Hurricanes' "strength of schedule" going forward. 

As you know Miami was busy losing to #2 Ohio State in a light rain in Columbus. Miami played well enough to win early in the game and scored two TDs on special team returns but eventually turnovers, and the tougher, more physical Buckeys, pulled away from the Hurricanes. 

This week in the ACC

Week two leaves the ACC on the outside looking in and still desperately seeking any sign of respectability on the national level. 

Six of the 12 ACC teams lost their games this week (UNC had a bye week). 

Miami, FSU, VT, Duke, Virginia and Georgia Tech all lost on the second Saturday in September.  After outscoring their overmatched opponents 418-136 in week one the ACC folded like an umbrella when facing more serious competition in several big time matcups on the national scene. 

Look for all four ranked ACC teams to drop some serious spots in the top 25 this week as the conference as a whole took it on the chin this week.   

Teams on the UM Schedule

As mentioned previously, three top 25 teams and six teams overall on the UM schedule lost their week 2 games.  The results and scores for UM opponents this season from Week 2 are as follows (teams UM will face are in bold):

• FAMU beat Delaware State 17-14.
• Ohio State beat Miami 36-24.
• Pittsburgh beat New Hamshire 38-16. 
• Clemson beat Presbytarian 58-21. 
• Florida State lost to Oklahoma 47-17.
• Duke lost to Wake Forest 48-54 .
• UNC had the week off.
• Virginia lost to USC 17-14. 
• Maryland beat Morgan State 62-3. 
• Georgia Tech lost to Kansas 25-28.
• Virginia Tech lost to James Madision 21-16.
• South Florida lost to The Florida Gators 38-14

Join us each week for "The Short List" on Saturday mornings and for the "College Football Week In Review" on Sunday nights. 

As for next week game: Go Canes, beat the Panthers!

Comments

[hurricaneRic Machiaveli]

wow

[hurricaneRic Machiaveli]

heart broken today...but i rep the U..always

[pb]

The hangover is just wearing off. This team showed me a lot yesterday despite the incredible number of mistakes.

This group obviously has the talent to compete on a national level. Any other losses this year will be a major disappointment.

[Zakkee]

More observations:

Tressel showed class
The statements: "OSU earned the win" and "UM gave the game away"....are surprisingly and uncharacteristically true when it comes to this game.
Montreal Cane is fairweather
As coaching is concerned: (I've ALWAYS been a stern critic of our coaching) aside from Special teams coverage and tackling technique. The players were at fault for a lack of execution for the most part IMO. I've never said anything like this before, but its time (for me) to put more blame on the players..they aren't doing what they are told (lack of focus).
I told the Buck fans that our players (especially Ray Ray) don't have the fundamentals down yet (their first instinct is to make the big hit instead of squaring and wrapping up...ala the buckeye players), but Iowa does and they'll lose that one. Not one of them responded..they knew I was right...they saw our mistakes and talent.

Posted by: Zakkee | September 12, 2010 at 12:49 PM

[Zakkee]

from the game, here my are observations:

Injuries: Vernon limping (he scowled at me when i told him good game...thoroughly pissed off leaving the locker room). MROB was limping. Porter on crutches, Lee Chambers was gimpy, Berry was hobbling, but said he was cool and that it was because his bag was too heavy..lol we all laughed. Holmes left shoulder was wrapped heavily with ice. Figs limping and depressed (should be though, he got handled) Bosher's mom took up for him telling us he was Matt's roommate their first couple of years at UM and that he's a really good kid). Matt's mom MADE him take a picture with my girl...she does have a crush on Bosh.

Jacory's right throwing arm WAS IN A SLING after the game.

Ray Ray (especially), Franklin, Vernon, Forston, Holmes, B. Washington and Aldarius were all fuming. Telemaque (whole family was there; good people) was pissed, but what did he do???? he plays in PURGATORY! he neither affects the pass or the run..he half asses both, so 15 yard gains and 15 yard runs are usually what happens before he gets to the plays. He has to make his mind up about what he's gonna do and then play faster to the ball. He plays EXTREMELY SAFE..but wants to be this big time playmaker. Davon has cut his dreads and alot of the height numbers are embellished a bit. Ryan Hill, Lee Chambers, Thompkins, McGee and Clements were my height 5'10. Colin, Bailey, Bosher, Spence (has gotten way bigger) and Vernon are on SWOLE. Pat Hill is so short its funny, but he can hit. DVD's family was very nice people (a little delusional about his play, but we all can understand that) his grandmother was the best...I love her.

I pulled Spence and Brandon Harris together and told them to pull the team together and they are leader..they said they would. Talked to Don Bailey Jr. and asked Coach Whip to stay forever (he smiled).

Seantrel Henderson was the only player crying. It wasn't boo hoo..IT WAS FIRE! This kid is the truth fellas!! I gave him a hug (he's huge and his girl is about 5ft tall 110lbs.) and he spoke a gave eye contact...he wants to win! Good kid..focused!

Posted by: Zakkee | September 12, 2010 at 12:26 PM

[321CANES]

Zakkee i hear ya my man but hey we are talking about players who were starters going into their juniors and senior years. Im sorry but if they're not getting the fundamentals down then its on the coaching. They have to make it where players relate...

I ASK YOU ALL THIS and a friend of mine had a ? For me that made me ponder...
Give me your Honest opinion. If the players we have on Off and DEF @UM , Do you REALLY think and feel that they would be making the same mistakes over and over at any other college????

[Zakkee]

OSU has some knowledgeable fans (i connected with a couple dudes who knew our players and what was going on), the crowd was scared even up by 19, they NEVER expected a game fellas, they were shocked by our performance, they thought they were gonna crush us. They showed love especially after the game and respect. Dudes kept saying, "good game..you guys are gonna win the ACC for sure". They heard we were good but need to see it on that stage, and they did. They know that if Jacory doesn't play so tentative, we would have romped. They all said, "your defense did very good, for the QB to have thrown 4 int's...good game".

Jacory is mentally weak. Two of the picks were his fault. If Benjamin went out to block instead of running the route..then throw it away. You could see Jacory pump fake when he saw that TB wasn't looking..but then he decides to throw it anyway...WHAT THE FFFFFF! I saw the same facial expression that I saw in the Wisconsin and UNC game last year...then comes the limping and the rain (which shakes him also). Storm Johnson traveled. Chase Ford was really down, told him to hold his head up..it gets better...he's big...I like him...humble.

Brandon Linder needs to start at Center.
Seantrel or Jermaine Johnson needs to start at RT.
OSU's defense is real..give them credit.
Forston used his hands well..he's back.
B. Washington is the real deal.
We play without a LB and a safety. These positions are nonexistent?!?! We have no 3rd LB and VT is missing in action..non commital to anything..run or pass. We look like we are playing with 9 defenders.
Hankerson is NFL ready..uncheckable
Benjamin uncheckable...open EVERY PLAY that he is the PRIMARY TARGET.
Colin and Spence didn't do to well. considering the task they had..they were decent. Spence made an NFL play where he blew up his defender then took out Pryor simultaneously.
Jacory should run more and not force throws.
We got away from the run in 2nd half (after that int by Heyward) the shotgun spread was a good idea but what happened to mixing it up with the draw run to Berry and Miller??? We weren't patient enough.
Miller is real (he had "Miller Time" cut into the side of his head masterfully).
Kylan needs to sit...was getting blown up. We can use him against teams like Duke and Virginia though.
Whipple SHOULD NOT run running plays to Benjamin's side of the field...HE CANNOT HOLD BLOCKS and if he had on several occasions...Miller and Berry would have scored on runs to his side.
Brandon McGee played with confidence!

Jacory IS NOT all the blame for the int's BUT he plays very timid, was aiming his passes and not throwing them. he missed Hank and Travis. We he looks weak and is scared...the whole offense feels it. He controls everything. The first pick shouldn't have even been thrown to Hank..he was covered and the defender made a play. The other, TB went out to run block (his fault) BUT Jacory saw this, clearly pump faked when he saw that TB was on the wrong page, and then decided to throw it anyway. 3rd int: Jacory's throw should have been picked off by the LB, but it went thru his hands and thats why TB wasn't ready for it, he didn't expect the ball to make it or get up on him that fast. 4th pick: Heyward..unacceptable.

Our defense is good enough to win every game we play.

I'll be in Pitt Section 110 Row D

Posted by: Zakkee | September 12, 2010 at 12:18 PM

[Zakkee]

I don't think they would 321Cane. Its definitely part coaching but I'm *personally* trying to check myself from the way I used to think which is that its all on the coaches. I've heard such great points for both sides of this argument that I have to find balance.

[321CANES]

If i hear another player being friends and tweeting players on the other team that we're playing this year im going to lose it!!!!! SERIOUSLY

It cringe to my stomach when i found that out!!!!

I CAN GUARANTEE YOU OUR FORMER PLAYERS DID NOT DO THAT!!!!

Matter of fact we called them and told them that we going to kick their you know what.

We need to get down to business no more swag this, no more swag that, forget the twitter! forget the facebook !. Were got to be the most prettiest team ever that right checks that our butts can't cash! Interesting- Randall Hill and others said; That these players @ UM just want to wear the []_[] helmet on the field when we wore it everyday sun up or sun down.

[macjones]

Great takes ZAKKEE!

I watched Jacory closely yesterday, and I absolutely knew he was ' HURTING! '

And I'm talking physically, as well as psychologically.

By the way, so much for Senor Optimist's takes.

I point blank told him, that Ohio St.'s FRONT SEVEN was nasty and brutes. But my yapping fell on deaf ears. Go figures.

Man, the Canes were MAN HANDLED up front, and our wide outs were pushed around by the Buckeyes, when they attempted to make blocks.

In other words, according to the immortal JACK TATUM, Ohio St.'s task is to hit their opponents in the mouth, and to continue to hit their opponents in the mouth.

When it comes to stout defense, the Buckeyes THRIVE on getting in backstreet, alley fights.

And ZAKKEE, according to your M.A.S.H. unit report- LMAO - Miami was a ' hurting squad' in more ways than one.

I just hope Harris is not seriously injured, because Team Shannon won't win on the road against Pittsburgh with AJ calling signals!

And I don't give a freak if he as one week and one-half to prepare.

Now, Whipple, Jr. absolutely can lead Miami to a victory over Pittsburgh. All he has to do is get the pigskin to his ' playmakers, ' and let Papa call a better game than the FIRST HALF of yesterdays nightmare.

[321CANES]

Thanks for your honest opinion Zakkee I feel the same way. I believe that the players we have wouldn't make the same mistakes at any other college. Its taken everything I have to say this. I call it like i see it. Im just being honest.

[Six]

Don't even get me started about posts made a few blogs back that were basically between me and someone else on here, talking about this upcoming Ohio State game .... 86 can attest to what I'm talking about, he knows exactly what I'm talking about - and the person I was having the back-and-forth with about the Ohio State game has a bakery worth of humble pie and 50 flocks of crow to eat

But, a lot of us are "fools" according to the person I was having this back-and-forth with ... and we were just talking "checkers", while this person was talking "chess" - and until we want to talk "chess", then "this discussion is over"

Now, this back-and-forth I was having with this person was a good one - it wasn't any kind of name calling, other than this person calling people that didn't agree with him, "fools" & calling people who brought up that Pryor isn't really that bad of a QB despite his passing stats, "sackriders" ... it wasn't some grade school candyass immature arguing ... but it was me slightly trying to play a tiny bit devil's advocate - but over immensely more of anything - trying to bring just how realistic we all should be heading into this game

We have some Canes fans here on this blog that live in the midwest, watch Big "11" football and are able to watch Ohio State play on the regular .. they basically agreed with how this game shouldn't be taken lightly at all, just how tough/good Ohio State really is and even if they did win some of those games ugly last year - THEY STILL WON THEM and that's what counts

I don't get when people say that the Canes have better athletes than another team like Ohio State ..... really? B/c Ohio State's players didn't really look that slow or that bad of athletes to me, esp. Pryor, a couple of their LBs, Jamaal Berry, and a couple of their DLine. Speed this, speed that, we have more speed - well honestly, who cares? - I'll take guys that execute that maybe don't have as much "speed", over guys that have a lot of "speed" but can't execute

It's not good that an Ohio State player, or another player from any other team playing the Canes, is run down from behind - 15 to 30 yards down the field .... b/c that means they got past the Canes in the first place either from an offensive play, or b/c they got a turnover, or b/c they ran through the Canes special teams

Speed isn't exactly everything - remember what FSU and Mickey Andrews said last year? "This is the most speed on a Florida State defense I've ever seen" - I remember them getting burned more for more big plays than any FSU defense I've ever seen

For all that speed that the Canes had, they still allowed Pryor to run for 113 yards - including some spirit crushing conversions for 1st downs and a TD as well, where he ran all the way one way and then ran all the way back around the other way

Now, back to Pryor's passing - what'd he go, 12 for 27? That's anti-good .. but .. he still made the throw to Posey that went 62 yards in those 12 completions. Pryor still threw for 232 yards with 1 TD

That goes back to last year, where Ohio State was one of the worst passing teams in the Big "11" and also the nation ..... BUT THEY STILL WON and went to the Rose Bowl, won that as well. Isn't that what really matters? Isn't that what some of us were trying to get through to others, a few blogs back when talking about this game before it happened?

Did the Canes give Ohio State pretty damn good field position for the majority of their scores? OH HELLLLL YES. Even with the field position given to them, they generally took full advantage of it - either through the 5 field goals that Barclay had for them, or the Herron or Pryor rushing TD. Ohio State also had some nice returns as well, due mainly to poor tackling ... or some just plain bad special teams assignment responsibilities

Look at the following and tell me it doesn't make you sick to your stomach:

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 25

Barclay FG - drive started on Ohio St. 40

Herron TD - drive started on Canes 19

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 28

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 27

Pryor TD - drive started on Canes 15

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 22

Only once out of all those scores, did Ohio State start in their own territory - and I didn't even post the TD that Ohio State put up in just 2 plays, starting with the long pass to Posey from their own 20. So basically, Ohio State had only 2 possessions where they scored and started in their own territory

All the other scores started from no further than the Canes 28

Bottom line is this - calling people "fools" for basically stating the facts of not overlooking realities for this game ... that's being a fool in itself. A damn big one. Not to mention the almost blinding love affair to the point of irrational thinking in just how the Canes are the only team that could possibly get bigger, faster, stronger, better since last year - and that certain units on the team have already gelled like a unit that has taken over 4,000 snaps together (that's roughly 12 games a year for 3 years) ...... I'm talking basically about the Canes OLine and their youth of experience on it

The enthusiasm is outstanding, but is a little too much at times as well when some sense and understanding is being shoved to the side carelessly b/c of it

Hey, we're all Cane family here and Cane fans - that's what shouldn't ever be forgotten. Regroup, learn from the mistakes made this game, go into Pitt and execute. The Canes can win the ACC Title this year - win that, go to a BCS game that could still with a huge glimmer of hope be the National Championship

[MassivCane]

So is the coaching Shannon.. personally I don't think so. I think our weakest spots (at least yesterday) were DB, and Receiver. I thought the O-Line played well, RB's were good, ST were good, DL was good, LB's could have been better.

Jacory's decision making was a weak spot, but I would only give him 2 of the 4 picks, but if he is hurt than he needs to sit. I love the kids heart but if his thumb is still causing velocity issues than the coach needs to make that call and sit him. Don't risk the kids career on something like this.

[macjones]

If i hear another player being friends and tweeting players on the other team that we're playing this year im going to lose it!!!!! SERIOUSLY

It cringe to my stomach when i found that out!!!!

I CAN GUARANTEE YOU OUR FORMER PLAYERS DID NOT DO THAT!!!! 321 canes
------------

V-O-I-L-A Miami braU!

In the infamous words of KW, Jr... " WE DON'T GIVE fUck ABOUT nobody OUTSIDE THIS U! WE DON'T. YEAH, U's CAN WRITE THAT DOWN! MAKE MONEY OFF IT!! lmao

In other words, your point 321 Canes SPEAKS TRUTH TO POWER!!

Because the Hurricanes are seriously lacking that ATTITUDE of the 2000-2004 Miami teams, as well as the nineties, and eighties. That's all.

Now, Miami doesn't have to be THUG, INC. reincarnated-lol- just bring it on the field with a NASTY, thug ATTITUDE. U's dig!

[321CANES]

six who your talking about?

[Zakkee]

More observations:

Jermale Hines and Devon Torrance balled.

Bosher saved the game by catching Hines from behind (after initially missing the tackle AND HITTING THE GROUND..HE GOT UP AND CAUGHT HIM!) OSU fans were so intrigued by him and kept asking who is he and what year is he in?

I gave the offensive gameplan two blogs ago and SOUP made it a part of the blog entry. When we finally decided to run it (4 wide, shotgun, no huddle, with draw runs to Berry & Miller, and quick out & hitches to the WR's.....it worked for our only offensive TD and we moved the ball consistently although we stopped giving it to Berry & Miller with the draw.

Harris is not comfortable under center and taking 3-5 step drops (especially in hostile environments). His skill set is designed for shotgun spread...unfortunately we can't make him anything else..he is who he is.

OSU fans are panicky and spoiled brats by their annual in and out of conference schedules. They've convinced themselves that those teams are good..lol! They aren't used to facing teams that are physically capable of competing with them. They are comfortable with inferior opponent..they like foregone conclusions. They show signs of severe trauma from losses in the NC games and to USC.

[321CANES]

Posted by: macjones | September 12, 2010 at 01:37 PM

AMEN!!!! CLAP CLAP

[macjones]

Jacory IS NOT all the blame for the int's BUT he plays very timid, was aiming his passes and not throwing them. he missed Hank and Travis. We he looks weak and is scared...the whole offense feels it. He controls everything. The first pick shouldn't have even been thrown to Hank..he was covered and the defender made a play. The other, TB went out to run block (his fault) BUT Jacory saw this, clearly pump faked when he saw that TB was on the wrong page, and then decided to throw it anyway. 3rd int: Jacory's throw should have been picked off by the LB, but it went thru his hands and thats why TB wasn't ready for it, he didn't expect the ball to make it or get up on him that fast. 4th pick: Heyward..unacceptable.

Our defense is good enough to win every game we play.

I'll be in Pitt Section 110 Row D

Posted by: Zakkee | September 12, 2010 at 12:18 PM

Posted by: Zakkee | September 12, 2010 at 01:05 PM

Baby I could kisses U's. LOL

Seriously, your take on J12 was on my minds-eye yesterday as I watched the offense.

As U's said, Harris' just throws the football like HIS PLAYING DARTS. Aiming at the target anyone.

Yeah, yeah I'm DIZZING on J12, but his a JUNIOR NOW, and has been through the battles.

As for Miami's D-unit. Baby, Cane rowdies have to LOVE EM all. They were CONTINUALLY PUT IN Harm's Way, yet MANED UP!

By the way, the Cane defense was, also, put in HARM'S WAY against Clemson and Carolina.

Bottom line is this, the entire Hurricane 0-unit has 12 days to do some serious SOUL SEARCHING, and this includes Whipple, because he didn't do the best job of calling plays in the first half yesterday.

[Six]

321 - mac knows, 86 knows, a few others on here know ... hell, 86 can pull up the back-and-forth we had

I don't really want to go in too deep about it, b/c the game is over and basically all the points that were brought up by myself and others on this blog about this game - were proven completely correct

I had to bring it up, without actually giving up the name, to somewhat use it as a reminder to look at games/situations more realistically b/c these Canes still haven't proven themselves yet ... and to just go into this game so myopically like this person was, is being beyond blind to realism

[321CANES]

THATS WHAT I BEEN SAYING IM GLAD PEOPLE ARE WAKING UP J12 IS NOT COMFORTABLE IN THAT OFFENSE. SPREAD HIM OUT WIDE WITH 4 OR 5 WR SETS USE SOME DRAW PLAYS WITH BERRY, MILLER OR JAMES AND WE PUT HELLA POINTS ON THE BOARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That play action b.s. is not working especially when you don't have a run game in the works.

WHIPPLE has to switch it up, Its a stubborn conservative old bland offense!!!

[321CANES]

I hear ya six, i hear ya my CANE Brotha!!! sometimes i have to step away from Um blogs because some people want to have personally attacks and bring up all kinds of nonsense. Im def not the 1 for it. Don't play that radio.

[]_[] family is not just a phrase it really means something!

[macjones]

six who your talking about?

Posted by: 321CANES | September 12, 2010 at 01:40 PM

That be THE CAPTAIN and TENELLE. lol

Chit, what am I yapping about. That's seventies music. A different sort of topic. LMAO

[macjones]

OSU fans are panicky and spoiled brats by their annual in and out of conference schedules. They've convinced themselves that those teams are good..lol! They aren't used to facing teams that are physically capable of competing with them. They are comfortable with inferior opponent..they like foregone conclusions. They show signs of severe trauma from losses in the NC games and to USC.

Posted by: Zakkee | September 12, 2010 at 01:42 PM

Reminds moi of the Herbie Cornhusker mob. LOL

They too become a wee bit too ' unrealistic ' when they play non-conference opponents.

Yet, the bloody lot of Herbie Cornhusker wonder in amazement WHY THEY CAN'T HANG WITH THE U.S.C.'s of the major college football realm.

In other words, they've suffered from this syndrome for thirty or so years.

So, is it any wonder why the Miami squads of years ago MAN HANDLED them in significant bowl games. LMAO

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Six, OSU didn't do a damn thing I didn't say or expect them to do. Not one single thing.

Now if I called you a fool, I apologize.

But the only thing I saw wrong was J12's maturity, apparently he was tweeting before the game....

Now if you, Tom et al want to blame me for not predicitng J12's meltdown, dropped TD passes etc..HAVE AT IT. lol

Here's what I said days before the game in my assessment of OSU......

>>>>>>>>>>>>

#1 At least 75% maybe even 90% of Pryor’s throws were to the outside, underneath dumps or long bombs. Pryor very rarely throws over the middle, behind the LBs and beneath the SSs. This was the case all of last year and against Marshall this pattern continued. I’m not sure if it’s Tressel or Pryor but even Kirk Herbstreit noticed in the Oregon game that Pryor did not want to throw over the middle.

#2 OSU’s defense is built around stopping the run and denying the deep ball, but is very vulnerable to medium range passes. As I discussed in the previous installments, OSU’s DL was very stout last year against the run and they stuffed Marshall for the most part this year. Marshall had one very strong drive after the half but fumbled inside the OSU 10. The game against Iowa, however, was without a doubt the most insightful game for Us. Iowa ran for fewer than 100 yards but their OL gave their first start QB enough time to pick and choose his WRs. Iowa moved the ball very effectively through the air all game long, until OT when inexperience caught up with the QB. He threw a number of medium and short-range passes to WRs without much speed but who knew how to find creases in the zone.

#3 Pryor’s running often bailed out the OL and turned negative plays into positives. As I mentioned several months ago, Pryor is a very effective runner if teams are not disciplined and/or if they sit back and let him decide when he wants to run and pass. It seems that only Wisky really shut him down. Oregon, PSU and most others, let him pick and choose when he would run and where he would run. His favorite destination was a 5-15 yard sprint to the sideline, and in the Big Ten he was always faster than any DL and most LBs he faced.

#4 OSU’s OL did well last year when the tackle positions were strong but struggled in the first half of the season when the leading LT was out. In the Marshall game their OL had difficulty opening holes for the RBs for several plays and series. If you read the play-by-play, you see OSU punted twice in the first half and on those drives, both RBs never gained more than 2 or 3 yards per carry. Then on the scoring drives and long runs, Sain would catch Marshall blitzing or one good block up front and a few downfield would spring him for a 40+ yard gain. Pass protection also seemed to be up and down, with Marshall sacking Pryor twice but also getting burnt for long completions.

>>>>>>>

WHICH ONE OF THOSE THINGS DIDN'T HAPPEN YESTERDAY??????

[Zakkee]

Six is talking about Cav of course...lol!

Look at the following and tell me it doesn't make you sick to your stomach:

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 25

Barclay FG - drive started on Ohio St. 40

Herron TD - drive started on Canes 19

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 28

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 27

Pryor TD - drive started on Canes 15

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 22

Good job of making me sick Six!

These stats should be posted in the locker room and placed on Shannon & Kirby Hocutt's desk for an examination of Pannunzio's employment.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

And my tactical keys......

>>>>>>>>>>>

Based on these four points, I would attack OSU in the following ways:

#1 Take away the sidelines from Pryor, both running and passing. I would jump the short curls and cover over the top for the long bombs and force him to either dump the ball to a RB or try to beat you in traffic over the middle. Force him to throw perfect touch passes in to double-coverage, something he hasn’t done and probably does not do well. I would not be surprised to see a pick-6 from DVD, BH or McGee because Pryor has certain routes that he loves. When he runs force him back inside and punish him every chance we get. As I mentioned, he has a great stiff arm and is deceptively strong. However, when hit square on he crumples and rarely breaks tackles after the first contact. Personally, I don’t think he likes to be hit hard and because of his speed and the slowness of the Big Ten, he rarely was hit hard. I expect Ray Ray, VT, C-Mac and Spence to seriously lay some wood. It goes without saying that he’s never faced a DL as athletic as ours, except that 2008 USC squad that demolished their OL.

#2 Pass to run, run to pass. It doesn’t matter which comes first as long as it’s effective and puts their D on their heels. I predict lots of blitzes from them but that’s a very risky affair with a pass defense that has serious holes against passing teams. If they do, I expect it to come from Rolle or Homan, and maybe Moeller on 3rd down or in empty backfield situations. If they don’t blitz and don’t get pressure from their front four, J12 and the Jets will pick them apart all the way down the field. Either way, if our OL opens holes for our RB this game will get ugly quickly because play-action will put their DBs on islands, which is exactly what happened against Navy and Iowa.

#3 Wrap up Sain and Herron on first contact. These guys won’t blow by you but if you aren’t careful they will make you miss and move the chains. Against big, athletic DLs and LBs, like USC and Wisky, they did not play well. Their lack of speed prevented them getting to the outside and their lack of moves made them easy targets. Against smaller teams or less athletic defenses, like Oregon, Meeechigan.

#4 Bully their OL. The Petri Effect will be in Full Effect Saturday. If our DL rotation dominates up front and forces Pryor to choose one side of the field, to make rushed decisions, to scramble when he doesn’t want to, over and over, we’ll walk all over them. I’m still far from convinced that he can make quick decisions and still deliver the ball quickly, particularly when he’s forced to do so.

[j.w.]

The day after. Zakee, thanks for the insight re: injuries. Jacory hurt again? Not good at all.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

And the rest of my analysis...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Keys to the W

Other than the obvious keys to the game up front on the DL-OL, the critical points for a U victory are:

#1 C-Mac covering and tackling in space, one on one with RBs, TE and Pryor. OSU likes to spread teams out and use what is usually superior athletic ability to get the ball into space with their playmakers, esp. Sain, who is more dangerous than Posey or Sanzenbacher once he’s caught the ball. I’m not sure what defensive style we’ll use but I know C-Mac will have to make a lot of plays. As long as his enthusiasm doesn’t get the best of him, as it did against FAMU, and he doesn’t overrun plays and take bad angles, we’ll be fine. He has enough speed to run with OSU’s skill players by himself. If he corrals them and wraps up, he’ll be fine. K-Rob, if and when he plays, must grow up in a hurry but stay disciplined and focused.

#2 DO NOT LOSE YOUR MAN WHEN PRYOR SCRAMBLES. This happened so often in OSU games last year that it became a de facto play. Here’s the scenario. Pryor’s first reads are covered, the pocket breaks down, Pryor scrambles and finds an open receiver 15+ yards down the field. This was actually a more dangerous and effective play than Pryor’s running for the sidelines. Our guys in coverage have to be confident that the DL and LBs will take care of Pryor until he crosses the LOS. In a word, DISCIPLINE.

Overall, I can see why OSU presents so many problems for most teams. Unless you have a really dominant DL and strong DBs, you’re forced to pick your poison and are often at the mercy of Pryor’s ability to run and throw. For the 2010 edition of the U, however, these are not problems, in fact they’re almost total strengths. Our ????s are at LB and arguably at OL.

>>>>>>>

I GUESS I FORGOT TO SAY DON'T TURN THE BALL OVER 3 TIMES INSIDE YOUR OWN 30 YARD LINE AND DON'T THROW A PIC WHEN YOU'RE INSIDE YOUR OPPONENT'S 10 YARD LINE.

[CaneRock]

Just like with Tebow, the Miami defense showed us how to expose a QB in NAME ONLY, play games in those A Gaps...BLITZ HIS ASS RIGHT UP THE MIDDLE!

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Six is talking about Cav of course...lol!

Look at the following and tell me it doesn't make you sick to your stomach:

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 25

Barclay FG - drive started on Ohio St. 40

Herron TD - drive started on Canes 19

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 28

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 27

Pryor TD - drive started on Canes 15

Barclay FG - drive started on Canes 22

Good job of making me sick Six!

These stats should be posted in the locker room and placed on Shannon & Kirby Hocutt's desk for an examination of Pannunzio's employment.

Posted by: Zakkee | September 12, 2010 at 02:04 PM

>>>>>>

Yeah, and I forgot to say, DON'T GIVE YOUR OPPONENT AN AVERAGE STARTING FIELD POSITION OF THE 50 YARD LINE....

Yo, bottom line, it's easy to look back at the stats the next day and say "I told you so."

Let me see some of y'all actually analyze strengths and weaknesses and predict something BEFORE the game.

This over the should shyt is weak, limp....

[macjones]

"I think they're a top-10 team," Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said of the 12th-ranked Hurricanes (1-1). "In my mind going into the game, I was interested to see if we were a top-10 team." www.dispatch.com

Also, give a Mega kudos to Tressel for being a CLASS ACT. No need to rub Miami's face any further in the muck yesterday.

And as I mentioned on Sabado noche, approximately 65% of major college football C.E.O.'s would have attempted to score one more touchdown yesterday, instead of running out the clock.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

321 - mac knows, 86 knows, a few others on here know ... hell, 86 can pull up the back-and-forth we had

I don't really want to go in too deep about it, b/c the game is over and basically all the points that were brought up by myself and others on this blog about this game - were proven completely correct

I had to bring it up, without actually giving up the name, to somewhat use it as a reminder to look at games/situations more realistically b/c these Canes still haven't proven themselves yet ... and to just go into this game so myopically like this person was, is being beyond blind to realism

Posted by: Six | September 12, 2010 at 01:51 PM

>>>>>

Haha, was it REALLY myopic Six?? Or were you just playing it safe based on stats, which is fine?

[USAFCane]

I'm glad some common sense and candid inputs have returned. The field position post showed it best. No way you win on the road to #2 in the nation giving that up.

Talent wise we're on par with the best now, but the swagger and belief has not returned.

Coaching has to improve but I think it has overall and will continue to do so. Most importantly the QB play has to improve greatly.

I'm quietly confident this team will get better and be a real force this year.

No doom and gloom here.

[VA Cane]

It is very easy to say you gonna do this gonna do that...remember what Ray Lewis said, you got to buckle your chipstrap. I been doing this a long time, and still never believe another team is easy or over rated. We had some good moments...and more bad ones. Zakee and Six, you know where I stand, you guys nailed it. Linder and Seantrel need to get into the lineup, start getting reps. Why sign them if you are not gonna play them? DVD and VT are nice kids, not so much on wanting to hit and hurt....but like to make reference to it. Brandon McGhee looked ok, watch that facemask buddy. Is LA ready to go? Get him in at safety...somebody.... DVD got up one time and woofed at TP2....who just smiled at him...cause he ran his azz over and knocked hit helmet off!! I can do without that BS, thats AS...Artificial Swag....TP had swag yesterday....he played with quiet confidence...he is real. J12 is a nice kid, but once the do do hit the fan..the storm was brewing....he was like that deer in headlights...and it scared him. I said we had to go in there and not be afraid....someone said back that they were not scared....I saw some fear...a lot of fear yesterday....some people got bloody mouths and did not like it. There was some intimidation being dealt....not so much by us. Talk is Cheap said Keith Richards....too much talking, Facebook, Twitter....put that garbage away, wipe the blood off your mouth, put it behind you...get rest, eat, get the bumps and bruises healed...lot of guys look like they are all cotton inside....rub your hurt feelings and sore egos....check em at the door and get ready to play Pitt!!

We still are a team that does not think about assignments, does not focus,does not relish punishing people cleanly....wants to talk about hitting and hurting...Tweet and Twitter about it....but lets face it...OSU were the hunters, hitters and dealers of death yesterday.....like the 32 emblem on their helmets in memory of the greatest Assassin Hitter ever....Jack Tatum. JMO

Get Ready For Pitt!!

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

And Six, did you predict 4 turnovers inside the 30 that put the ball inside our 30, and average starting field position of the 50 for OSU, dropped TD passes and overthrown TDs??

Show me that post bruh.......

[macjones]

" "I guess we kind of expected those guys to jump up and down, and they did that," linebacker Brian Rolle said. "

" "We've got a little swagger ourselves. I feel our defense, if I may say, we out-swaggered them. " http://www.dispatch.com

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

" "I guess we kind of expected those guys to jump up and down, and they did that," linebacker Brian Rolle said. "

" "We've got a little swagger ourselves. I feel our defense, if I may say, we out-swaggered them. " http://www.dispatch.com

Posted by: macjones | September 12, 2010 at 02:19 PM

>>>>>>

That they did. haha

[macjones]

.like the 32 emblem on their helmets in memory of the greatest Assassin Hitter ever....Jack Tatum. JMO

Get Ready For Pitt!!

Posted by: VA Cane | September 12, 2010 at 02:15 PM

Eh Hurricane braU, U's stole my thUnder. J-K

By the way, didn't McGee play most of the second half yesterday in place of DVD.

IF so, it's time to start the red-shirt frosh instead of DVD. No more of Shannon's ' loyality ' to upperclassmen. u's know what I means.

In other words, play the BEST ELEVEN on both defense and offense. No matter if they are freshmen and or sophomores.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

VA, I don't think he was scared as much as he was never really focused and poised in the first place. Then when he made those bas throws, he lost it, then tried to pull it back together in the 2nd half but it was too late.

[macjones]

Opponent (3 leaves)

Jacory Harris sure can make some nice throws -- as well as some miserable jobs. Receiver Travis Benjamin did him no favors on two of the picks. The 'Canes are a BCS bowl contender, but they're still a few athletes shy of the elite U. of yore. Maybe fatigues would help. http://www.dispatch.com

And I too, said Miami is a B.C.S. bowl team this season. Au contraire to yesterday's poor offense performance by U's know who.

11-1 and a possible A.C.C. title is in the waiting. U's dig. No, well la dee dee, la dee da. LMAO

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

VA and Mac, I will say I don't think our OL is big, strong and tough enough as a unit. Franklin is and probably B-Wash but Horn, Gunn and Figs don't have it, even though they only gave up one sack. They were still handled. Better than last year of course...but not quite there.

And our defense was fine until they got too far down. They were actually about to put OSU in a choke-hold until the RR bad angle.

But even after that they played well.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Opponent (3 leaves)

Jacory Harris sure can make some nice throws -- as well as some miserable jobs. Receiver Travis Benjamin did him no favors on two of the picks. The 'Canes are a BCS bowl contender, but they're still a few athletes shy of the elite U. of yore. Maybe fatigues would help. http://www.dispatch.com

And I too, said Miami is a B.C.S. bowl team this season. Au contraire to yesterday's poor offense performance by U's know who.

11-1 and a possible A.C.C. title is in the waiting. U's dig. No, well la dee dee, la dee da. LMAO

Posted by: macjones | September 12, 2010 at 02:31 PM

>>>>>>>

Haha, good piece from the Dispatch.

I'll tell you, we knew our ????s going into this game were LB...OL...and to a small degree DB.

I didn't think and I don't recall anyone else thinking J12 and the Jets would be a ??????

So after this game, it's clear the LBs are still a ????, and maybe Shannon should put in one of those frosh instead of K-Rob, who's basically doing nothing out there anyway.

[VA Cane]

I guess that I am too old for this swag stuff. I cannot stand the word....or at least its imlications. It is kind of like a pair of bellbottoms and platform shoes on Frency Fuqua...outdated, lame 70s and 80s S**t. I teach my kids quiet confidence....shut up, show up, takes names and punish people relentlessly. Talking, Yapping, Tweeting, Woofing....Fatigues, Pink Suits, goofy haircuts and clothes....man that does not win now. OSU played like a 70s Woody Hayes team....they focused, played hard, hit hard, made some mistakes....but played like a focused, relentless team. They won the battles they needed to win. They kept coming like a Great White Shark...or The Assassin....us....we were deer in headlights, back peddling, trying to catch those "when we win" words, or "noise aint nothin, I got 4 15s in my trunk" from coming out...Football is simple...at least mine is...come out, do your job, punish people relentlessly, inflict mental and physical pain, work together and win by doing the basics. A mouthpiece is for 2 things: to protect your teeth and keep you from talking. My lesson to my boys this week will be work do not talk. JMO

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

And Soup, I hear you were talking about me but everything and anything you said about me and my predictions, you said about yourself.

[darCANEgel]

Let's not eat our young, gentlemen.
game's over --
move on.

Yes, we got beat -- by a better team
But the frustrating part about it -- I think we'd all agree -- is how it happend --- so many chances lost -- even when we add in all the problems we ALL know we've had since Spring: weak at LB...
safety...
young line
- blah blah blah.

Even with then the INT's were unacceptable.

Point of all this is the die is cast.
This is our team 2010
This is our coaching staff.

For y'all 12% folk who wanna jump off the bus you arent being fair.

Many of us saw this team for what it is -- solid but with some real holes.

Tackling did NOT improve yesterday which was my biggest worry.

Equally important is J12 getting his head straight for the remainder of the season. (I really hope he aint hurt).

This was a wake up call and it happened early...mercifully for the rest of the season.

The only other worry is if we dont play up to potential @ Pitt and @ CLemson, then when we come home for FSU/ UNC etc, the bandwagon fans wont come out to Pro Life Stadium which will hurt recruiting when we bring those kids on the fence down for their visits.

Last thing, Zakee -- your update from after the game truly rocked...props, brutha

Canes
and Nuthing
But CANES!

[AlpharettaCane]

Super Cooper and Canesluvr: couldn't agree more with your posts.

This is a good team, and will get better. But lets put it into perspective. Until we can win on the road, beat elite teams, win our DIVISION, the conference, and shore up weaknesses that some on here have been calling out for months/years now, we'll remain a Top 15-20 ranked team.

It is what it is. The past is the past. Call me a hater, call me a sackrider, call me a bandwagon fan. Whatever.

Lots of positives yesterday to build on. Lots of negatives that need to be fixed (kick coverage, tackling, QB decision-making, receiving, select O-line play).

Tressell summarized best when he said you give yourself a chance with 4 takeaways, and give yourself a really good chance with 4 takewaways and no giveaways.

Simple as that.

[Brownsub]

It is time to shift our offensive philosophy from Throwing the ball the majority of the time to Running more. It is clear that we have a qb with a mediocre arm so to relieve some of the pressure on him the rbs need to be put to work. Other than the first drive against OSU we were able to run however, the run was totally abandoned. Bama used this system last year with a qb who had a mediocre arm and it worked. We need to do the same. Figueroa needs to move back to guard and the big guy Henderson needs to start out at rt we need to get him ready now! Mccarthy is not a mlb and it has shown in both games! He looks lost and you can tell he is doing too much thinking. With his move to mlb we are playing with 1 and a half lbs out there! He needs to move back to the outside ASAP!

[macjones]

VA and Mac, I will say I don't think our OL is big, strong and tough enough as a unit. Franklin is and probably B-Wash but Horn, Gunn and Figs don't have it, even though they only gave up one sack. They were still handled. Better than last year of course...but not quite there.

And our defense was fine until they got too far down. They were actually about to put OSU in a choke-hold until the RR bad angle.

But even after that they played well.

Posted by: Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer | September 12, 2010 at 02:32 PM

Captain Optimist, that's why I still maintain both Shannon and Holcutt, as well as former A.D. Dee do Miami no favor by scheduling such a BRUTAL stretch so early in the season.

Yes, yes play those teams, but at least find a bloody way TO SPACE these games.

Also, IF the Hurricanes are going to schedule non-conference like this, then the A.C.C. has to give Miami a break with the SPACING of games.

For instance, play mid-tier A.C.C. team after a difficult game vis-a-vis Ohio St. or Florida or a Oklahoma.

In theory something akin to this:

A@M

@Ohio St.

Wake Forest or Duke or a Maryland

@ Pittsburgh

Jeez, the past two seasons the month of September is too brutal. That's why Miami comes up with all those injuries, and WEARS DOWN!

The ELITE Hurricane teams could play that type of 2009 or 2010 early season schedule.

Also, I do believe both Coach Shannon and A.D. Holcutt want to play in NYC next season against another Top 20 team.

At least Miami should be officially back next season. U's know what I say. LOL

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Soup also, feel free to delete my posts since they're from TOS.

[ZarOKoN]

from what i saw. Jacory off the field is a nice kid. ON the field he needs to take charge of this team if we are to WIN out the next 10 games cause it wont be given to us now. The WHOLE CFB nation is going to be looking at the Canes to see how we react. I didnt think Miami would win but it could have been worse. SO i wont start getting on Shannon and CO...but the depth chart needs to be shakin up...

we heard allll summer long about players making plays. Telemaque..come on man. Next Ed Reed?? when? DVD?? really...you should not be the starting corner opposite Brandon Harris. KYLAN ROBINSON SHOULD NOT BE ON THE FIELD....BUCHANON hell Futch is back put him out there...!! DL..Bailey..Paging ALLEN BAILEY...and RT needs to be either Henderson needs to be instered. and Miami coaches should do this now! special teams. Jamaal Berry had his way and would have been on sportscenter had he not lost his footing..come on Canes. WE neeed to be back. THis is our year. But again. Ohio State was the better team. And they are ranked #2 for a reason. I like Tressel now somewhat. Kind of makes you think if he would have gotten the keys here instead of Coker??