Adios, Adrian…

Adrian Peterson announced today that he’s bailing Oklahoma a year early to enter the NFL Draft. As a Canes fan, it’s great to see other programs feeling the effects of juniors declaring early.

The U was ransacked after the 2003 season, losing Sean Taylor, Kellen Winslow II and Vince Wilfork a year early, along with seniors Jon Vilma, D.J. Williams and Vernon Carey. The 2004 Draft had those six Canes (three juniors, three seniors) all going in the first round. A new record.

With big money on the table, no one can blame Peterson for going pro. Look at injuries sustained by big name college players this decade. Draft stock can plummet and millions of dollars can be left on the table if a player is injured. From a business standpoint, you can’t compare that kind of money to the camaraderie felt between teammates. Hell no.

We mention the Peterson announcement here on a Canes site because of Saturday September 8th, 2007. Miami is headed to take on Oklahoma and coming off of 7-6 with a new coach at the helm, I am all for #28 kicking rocks and heading to the next level.

I’ve debated this point with some other fans lately, as they were rolling out the old, tired mantra of , “anyone, anytime, anyplace.” Not right now, people. I’ll still give you “anyone” and “anyplace” but not “anytime” in our current state.

I’ll still put Miami up against “anyone” but and I have no issue with the Canes taking their show on the road “anyplace” but regarding timing, we need that to work in our favor right now.

When Miami takes on Oklahoma, it’ll be the start of a whole new regime. The home opener is September 1st against Marshall. A week later, the Canes first road trip to Norman since 1985. Miami will barely be a top 25 team when the polls are released later this year, and Oklahoma will be somewhere just outside the top ten, most likely. Especially with Peterson gone.

Beating the Sooners with the best back in the nation would be a tremendous feather in the Canes’ cap, but it’s a big time challenge for a team that needs to develop a winner’s mentality out the gate. Miami lost 2 of 3 to open 2006 and the wheels completely fell off down the road after climbing to 5-2. Once the Canes began playing decent foes again, a four-game losing streak ensued.

What’s more important right now, style points or getting the win? Beating Oklahoma in their house will be huge for Randy Shannon’s young team. The Peterson factor, combined with the fact the Canes are rumored to be closing the deal with Sooners co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin – that’d give Miami an early 2-0 advantage entering their road opener.

Taking away their biggest offensive threat and poaching one of their offensive playcallers, helps negate OU’s homefield advantage. Still, nothing has been inked with Sumlin, so file this under “we’ll see”.

A win for Miami in Norman could put the Canes at 2-0 and would start all that, “are the Canes on their way back under Shannon?” type talk. Conversely, a loss has the critics in full force questioning if The U made the right move.

At day’s end, Miami needs that win. Down the road no one will remember or care if Peterson was there or not. They’ll just remember who won the head-to-head match up between two powerhouse programs and recent National Champions.

When we’re on top again, I’ll re-adopt the old, “anyone, anytime, anyplace” mindset, but for right now I’m thrilled Peterson is gone, giving Miami’s defense an edge on September 8th.

.:Canes305:.

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