Gameday blog: UM-Oklahoma

Whenever the Canes hooked up with Oklahoma when I was a kid, it was one of the most exciting games to get up for -- right up there with Notre Dame, Florida State, Penn State and the hated Gators.

But a lot has changed since the Brian Bosworth-Vinny Testaverde days. The Sooners don't run the wishbone anymore and Miami doesn't play the kind of defense it used to. Tonight's game will pit an eight-ranked Sooners team that has one of the best defensive front sevens in the country and a do it all offense (even with redshirt freshman quarterback Landry Jones at the helm) against a UM team looking to bounce back from an embarrassing loss at Virginia Tech.

Before the season started, I expected Miami to go 2-2 against its tough opening four-game stretch. I thought that would be good enough to show us this team has improved. But the closer we get to kickoff, the more I see this game as a giant measuring stick for Randy Shannon and his staff. This is year No. 3 and its time for UM to start showing signs it can really compete against the nation's elite teams. I know they're shorthanded on defense (safety, defensive end). But it feels like crunch time to me.

REWIND: UM owned the Sooners back in the 1980s when both teams were regular national title contenders. Their 2007 meeting in Norman was good for a half before the Sooners pulled away 51-13.

FAST FORWARD

> UM wins because: Jacory Harris plays like a Heisman candidate again and LandShark Stadium rocks like the Orange Bowl. That means UM's offensive line plays lights out and protects Harris and his receivers don't drop balls like they did last week. Defensively, UM is going to be hard pressed to shutdown Oklahoma's balanced offense. But the key for the Canes will be eliminating big, deflating plays and creating a few turnovers to slow the Sooners down at least a little.

> OU wins because: Quarterback Landry Jones doesn't make mistakes and the Sooners don't have breakdowns in the secondary. Pound-for-pound, Oklahoma is the better team in this matchup. The only place UM really has the advantage is at quarterback and receiver. That means unless the Canes outplay them or OU makes a few gaffs, the Sooner should win this.

> My pick: Oklahoma 30, UM 21. Last week, I picked with my heart. I really was beginning to believe Miami had something special going. They still could if they win tonight. But what Virginia Tech did was unmask a lot of the Canes' deficiencies. Like it or not, the Canes' offensive line -- and running game -- still has a long way to go. The defense has to prove it can do the basics -- like tackling -- consistently. Those aren't the type of troubles a team about to beat a Top 10 ranked team has to deal with. Then again, here's to hoping I'm dead wrong.

> Game balls - Offense: Jacory Harris. If UM's going to win, he'll be the triggerman. Defense: Eric Moncur. If the UM defense is going to surprise us tonight, create turnovers and turn the tables, the key will be getting pressure on Jones. It would be nice to see a kid like Moncur provide a lot of that. Special teams: Matt Bosher. He's missed a pair of field goals against Georgia Tech and had a punt blocked last week. A game-winning field goal would be nice wouldn't it?

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Comments

[SJMPARMAN]

Let's Go Canes

[CLASS OF "08"]

miami got this tonight baby

lets go canes
the U is back boys and girls

[Mikepete24]

O'boy here we go again

[SJMPARMAN]

Man that was too easy. We must play pressure defense against their young quarterback.

[Mikepete24]

Sam shields lost again

[SOUP]

Weak arm

[Mikepete24]

2 posessions, 2 ints! Run the friggen ball for heavens sake

[Ibis1973]

Well let's hope for a turnover, gonna be along night. Time to get out the bottle!!!

[Mikepete24]

At this rate it's gonna be a long nite

[SJMPARMAN]

Stunned. I can't believe that throw. That was a gift.

[Nando]

They have to wear this team done by running the ball Randy Shannon better get his head out his arse !

[BB]

We are done!!!!

[Mikepete24]

We look severely overmatched right now

[Ibis1973]

Take out sheilds

[Mikepete24]

What the he'll is Sam shields doing out there, almost got burnt again!!'

[SJMPARMAN]

Finally a sack and a stop!!!

[Ibis1973]

Hopefully we are not the only ones. Watching Shields FU

[nick]

please take sam sheilds out of this game!

[Mikepete24]

Missed tackle + PI = ????

[Ibis1973]

This is going to get ugly

[SJMPARMAN]

Who missed the tackle on the first play? He didn't even try to wrap him up just body clocked at him. That was a huge mistake.

[Mikepete24]

Offense has to get it's head out of the closet or the U is in BIG trouble. Most of the D is doing well, except shields

[SJMPARMAN]

And really, can the McGee be any worse that Van Dyke?

[NicaCane]

If I got to practice with the Canes and miss tackels, do you think they'll let me play?

[GoCanesMF]

Jacory has got to learn to run

[ponce]

The producers at ABC are wondering when they're going to switch to Montana St. vs. New Mexico Tech--this one's ovahhh.

[Mikepete24]

Falling apart at the seams. Can't even get a favorable spot on fake FG

[Jetster777]

Canes D is solid minus Shields

[Jetster777]

Bench Shields

[Ibis1973]

Thanks Again Sam

[Mikepete24]

Shields = TERRIBLE and indiscipline

[Jetster777]

Awesome D

[SOUP]

Glad Fortsen brought his a game. 2 offsides already.

It is me or does Sam Shields look alot like Randy Phillips in Norman.

[Justin]

Where is Colin Mccarthy tonight i haven't seen him out there tonight?

[SJMPARMAN]

I didn't think that was much of a fask mask against Shields. And I thought the spot on the fake field goal was ridiculous. Good blitz calls that series. Now Jacory must settle down and move the chains and let the defense rest.

[Mikepete24]

You can't tell me that we dont have anyone better than Shields! He is getting beat on simple routes and getting stupid penalties.

[NicaCane]

Let's apply the Marve rule and let him observe from the sidelines for a quarter. Bring him back after he observes, and marinates some more. Forget that he had a week to practice.

[rayraythetruth]

Jared campbell misses tackle in end zone for safety! Ray ray plays 2 plays has a assist and a solo tackle! Wow shannon take the guy out that's makin plays!!

[RudieT]

this Big 12 crew is killing us!!

[Mikepete24]

Run run run

[Mikepete24]

RUN the dam ball!!!!!!

[Jetster777]

O line playing great...until now

[Jetster777]

TD Canes!

[RudieT]

yeah

[Mikepete24]

TD!!!!!!!!

[GoCanesMF]

Jacory has got to step up a run sometimes

[Jetster777]

Run the football baby!

[SJMPARMAN]

Wow, what a drive. Great run by JJ. Good for Graham to bounce back. We got a ball game.

[Justin]

Does anyone know where Colin Mccarthy is tonight i haven't seen him out there?

[Jetster777]

Impressive drive. The D has been playing well, we're back in this one!