Below are Tru’s thoughts on this weekend’s match up and his prediction. Take it easy on him with your responses. He’s a good dude and our ‘debates’ are always logical and never mean-spirited.
Coming later today, the “highly anticipated” Canes305 perspective. For now, some Sooner ‘nonsense’ from Tru2OU:
Being a season ticket holder for 22 years of Oklahoma Football, I’ve seen some ups and downs. I was there in 1985 when Troy Aikman broke his leg and a freshman named Jamelle Holieway took the reigns and led OU to a title. I was there in 1986 when a man with helmet hair took a good OU team apart in the Orange Bowl. I was there in the 90’s when OU football had its darkest years and I was there in 2000 for 11 of the 13 games (while living in SoCal) and when the Sooners shocked the world and shut out and began the downfall of the Seminoles.
I think Bobby still has nightmares about that game.
Well now it’s 2007 and the Sooners have played in three National Title games this decade. Bob Stoops has turned around the program and is producing more head coaches for other teams than anyone I can think of over the past 5 years (Arizona, Kansas, Texas Tech, San Diego State).
The Sooners have won four Big 12 titles with four different quarterbacks and last year’s senior class played in all four of the BCS Bowls. It’s been an amazing turn around. So, I’m sure
He fought me at first, but conceded somewhere around 2003.
So, now that we have all of that out of the way, I’m going to give you a Sooner fans perspective on the game. I know this will create a few chuckles for you and might even piss a few of you off but, it’s the way I see things happening. First, I’m going to compare a few things head to head:
Freeman didn’t show me a lot against Marshall but I’m not sure he was going to get the chance. The run game was working and I’m sure they just wanted to limit his opportunity to make a mistake. Edge – PUSH
I’m sure Cane fans know the name Tashard Choice. He left OU two years ago because of the depth chart. The guy hardly saw the field at OU and he is as solid as they come in the ACC. With Graig Cooper and Javarris James, Miami has a great tandem of backs and I’m sure they will get their yards. Keep in mind that OU doesn’t allow a lot of 100 rushers so this is going to force Miami to show they can throw it.
Also, while watching the Marshall game, it looked like the backs were having trouble with pass protection. This is a skill they better learn quickly. EDGE – OU
Right now I think most people rank them the best in the Big 12 and top 10 in the nation. The Miami defensive front is very good with Calais Campbell leading the charge. It will be interesting to see if Miami tries to move him to the left side to take advantage of OU’s perceived weakness. The interior line needs to control the middle in order to stop the power running game and allow the Miami linebackers to make plays. Trust me; OU will try the middle early and often. EDGE – OU (slightly)
The biggest problem form Miami will come when OU goes with a one back set, two tight ends and two wideouts. They have the ability to run the ball in the middle or OU split out a TE to create match-up problems for the LB’s.
If the Miami linebackers are having trouble covering the TE, OU will throw the ball every down. If they bring in an extra DB to cover, they will pound the ball up the middle. It’s a tough match-up for any team.
I would guess that Carlos Armour will get the task of covering 6-4, 219 lb Malcolm Kelly. I’m not sure the other DB’s have the size to match up. Iglesias will be in the slot and runs a lot of short routes designed for him to break tackles. The DB’s need to be able to tackle one on one or he will be running wild. EDGE – OU
Miami needs to be able to control the rush and give Freeman time to throw. The OU defensive line is very inexperienced with two sophomores and a freshman starting. They are a little undersized and this might lead to Miami being able to run the ball successfully. If you remember Dan Cody, #33 Austin English plays a lot like him.
However, Cody had a bad habit of just trying to rush the passer all the time and forgot about the run. English can’t afford to do that in this game. EDGE – The “U” (slightly)
Senior CB’s Marcus Walker and D.J. Wolfe (another converted RB) are not tall but they know how to lock down small WR’s. They can have a little trouble with tall wideouts so Lance Leggett and Sam Shields should have an advantage. The safeties are both big time players with junior Reggie Smith being the star.
I look for OU to play a lot of zone behind the blitzing LB’s but to press the receivers at the line of scrimmage since they think they’ll get to Freeman and force him to throw quickly. If they don’t get pressure, look for Miami to hit a few deep balls to the wideouts. EDGE – OU (slightly)
Miami has always been known for great returners and I have to believe nothing is different this year. OU has Reggie Smith who has the ability to break one off but seems to just be satisfied catching the ball and going ten yards. EDGE – Push
That being said, I think Shannon is a huge unknown right now. If he can get the Canes to believe they can win and avoid any early mistakes, they have a shot. I think Shannon will have to make some adjustments at halftime in order to kick the offense in gear. Can he do this? Who knows.
Stoops is a proven commodity and I know he’s hated in South Florida because of the Gator ties. However, he is a Sooner now. Edge – OU
This won’t be the 40,000 fans they played in front of last weekend. They’ll be “80,000 f’n hillbillies” (Bill Callahan’s words, not mine) who have waited 20 years to get revenge on Miami and the time is now.
The 11:00 am kickoff will mean the moonshine won’t have taken effect unless the party lasted from the night before. All kidding aside, this will probably be the loudest and rowdiest crowd at Owen Field since the 2000 Nebraska game. Miami will not be able to audible and this could pose a problem for the offense.
So, what’s going to happen? I expect both offenses to be very conservative early in the game. The last thing either of them want to do is turn the ball over. A field position battle develops in the first half and Freeman is the first to crack with a fumble in the second quarter.
OU takes a 14 – 6 halftime lead.
The second half OU turns to the run game to control the clock and shorten the game. Miami is forced to play catch up in the 4th quarter and Freeman turns it over 2 more times.
Final Score – OU 27, Miami 13.
If this score is true, I will be ordering my Joe’s Stone Crabs courtesy of Canes305 on Sunday morning. We haven’t had them since our trip to Miami in 2000 and I’m really looking forward to a feast from my friend’s wallet.
I do hope everyone coming to Norman for the game has a great trip. I’ll be in my seats in Section 2, Row 5 one hour before kickoff and I hope I can finally witness the Sooners beating the Hurricanes.
By the way, I still hate Jimmy J and Michael.
– Tru2OU
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View Comments
I'm sure that everyoe sees something different until the stone is finally turned, so I am neither upset or surprised by your boy's dissection of this game.
If it's alright with him, we will show up and play the game anyway.
And if it's crabs he wants so badly,,,, date an OU cheerleader.
?:-)
JMG
Tampa
You had to pick OU in every category didn't you. I think you are enjoying the fact that you are bordering on the ridiculous : )
Miami is going to get yards on the ground in this game, you admitted that. We have an answer for you in our run defense. I'll give you that the DBs will get worked but they will find an answer.
The offensive line and run defense can will be key in the game. We'll win it for Jimmy AND Randy.
Good analysis! The only thing I think you should've pointed out was OU's clear advantage in the punting game. One of the few plays that directly affects field position.
In general, OU has a major leg up in special teams.
Tru2OU, I thank you for your breakdown and appreciate your take. I can respect someone who tries to give an honest opinionated breakdown of the game. You culd have been ridiculous and said OU would win 56-0 but that would just show you were crazy, so I respect your honest breakdown by unit. I take slight issues with your opinion of our D line and your O Line. I will first admit that I did not see OU's first 'game' and so this is just what I think and have heard. I think Campbell will be more disruptive in this game than possibly he has ever been before. This is a Michael Strahan clone with younger legs who can really do what he wants to do. I think our defense will show your young QB more than he's seen before and he will get hit - legally or late, who cares. He will be hit. The question will come down to whether The Canes can get a couoke of turnovers off their pressure. If they do, I see a tight game that we pull out. If not then Miami will be scrambling to try to adjust all game and may run out of time. If you can make Stoops press, his team can tense up, and the snowball effect will happen. Offensively, It all comes down to our line. If we can make some running lanes, we have the backs to make things happen. If Freeman has some time, we can hopefully get clicking offensively and Shields can get behind the secondary since you guys will be bumping. I just hope Freeman stays under control since this is a homecoming of sorts, to his part of the country. I think the game will be tight, and Miami prevails as I said the other day, 20 - 17 and the media is pissed off that they have to now rank us. Go Canes!
-Columbus Cane