My Thoughts About OU/Miami

Originally Published: Sep 30, 2009 8:39 AM CDT

Very surprising that OU is favored by a touchdown over a good Miami team. OU has not been dominant in true road games and the Sam Bradford situation remains uncertain.

OU-UM Crystal Ball:  My OU vs. UM position comparisons posted on Oklahoma Sports. Check out our new site?.on its way to being awesome.

Coaches?
OU EDGE?Stoops is at his best when his back back to the wall and I see this game as critical. Randy Shannon has saved his job but the humbling at VA Tech has temporarily taken some shine off. Who would you rather have? Bob Stoops and his cohesive staff or Randy Shannon’s bunch that’s had its neck on the line just to receive a paycheck. But love Miami’s new offensive coordinator Whipple. K Wilson has to be on top of his game to match wits with this guy.

Intangibles-
UM EDGE?The home field advantage is significant in this series. Save the 2000 title game against a non-home team FSU, South Florida has been tough on the Sooners. OU has lost 2 games in the Stoops era but is not always the same team on the road. Stoops’ boys are almost unbeatable at home: 62-2. Better recently, but not nearly as dominant on road. Not as aggressive for 60 minutes it takes. Record away from Norman:  49-23. Darn good. Just not up to USC standards and not up to standards needed to win national titles (see Fiesta, USC loss, etc.). When at OU, the standards are often off the chart, including this one. But numbers speak for themselves. Sooner must handle glare of another national spotlight game in a night game against a better team that odds makers think.

Specials-
UM EDGE?
Miami’s return game gives them the edge. In addition, OU’s punt protection is not solid and their field goal kicking is not something you’d have to rely on to win a huge game in this environment.

QB?
PUSH
A healthy Bradford means OU gets the edge over everyone including the Green Bay Packers. But he’s not 100 percent ready so I’m saying until I believe otherwise that freshman Landry Jones is ready for prime-time. He’ll find a different opponent and different pressure than he handled so well in Norman against a JV team and a porous Tulsa defense. Performance to date outstanding but immense pressure Saturday at 7. UM’s Jacory Harris was my Heisman favorite till he tried fling a  laced-up and rain-soaked wet pig all day at VA Tech. Different cat at home with dry footballs.

Other categories to come, including: OU’s edge in DL and RB positions, and UM’s edge at OL and WR. Pushes at LB and secondary.

Go to Oklahoma Sports for comparisons, blogs, the latest video and sound bites, the Bradford update, incredible high school access, etc.

Check you later, DB.