The University of Miami is hoping for a huge crowd in the Orange Bowl tonight, because home-field advantage must be the reason the unranked Hurricanes are favored by 2 ½ points against No. 20 Texas A&M in an ESPN telecast.
Considering the Aggies (3-0) have the nation's fifth-ranked rushing offense and No. 11 scoring offense, the Hurricanes (2-1) can at least depend on their fans -- if they decide to show -- to make some noise when dual-threat quarterback Stephen McGee is in the huddle.
''I don't really care,'' said 6-5, 298-pound All-Big 12 guard Kirk Elder of the point spread. ``That's some person in Vegas. I'd much rather be the underdog.''
Elder and his potent offense are one reason UM fans are more than a little concerned this week, especially in light of the Hurricanes' struggles in finding the end zone (that's another reason) when UM has the ball.
The last time UM faced a Big 12 team, nearly two weeks ago in Norman, Okla., the opponents scored 51 points and amassed 411 yards.
About to face three talented, diversified runners, and an offensive line sixth in the nation in sacks allowed, the UM defense will be crucial this week in determining the outcome.
''People don't really know who we are and how good we are because we haven't shown anybody,'' said junior defensive end Calais Campbell, who is expected to be a first-round draft choice should he leave after this season. Nonetheless, he rotates with the other ends and has only 1.5 sacks. ``In my eyes I know I can play a lot better. I had the quarterback in my hands three or four times [against Florida International] and I didn't get him down.''
Added Campbell: ``I want [the Orange Bowl] to be full. That's a big part of the game -- the crowd. When we go to away games, the crowds are always full.''
HANDS FULL
Miami's run defense will have all it can handle trying to suppress McGee, the Aggies' leading rusher with 87.6 yards a game and two touchdowns; Mike Goodson, with an 82.3-yard average and two touchdowns; and 6-0, 268-pound bruiser Jorvorskie Lane, who barrels down the middle for short- and goal-line yardage and has seven touchdowns.
Last Saturday, FIU became the third team in the past 16 games to gain more than 100 ground yards. UM's 2006 rush defense ranked fourth in the NCAA, but its tackles have been either injured or inexperienced. And some linebackers, according to coach Randy Shannon, need to tackle better.
''They have to get back on being focused,'' Shannon said. ``The one thing that was heartbreaking [against FIU] was the quarterback scrambles. Now that was the D-line. The quarterback got 60 yards on scrambles alone. That's costly.''
CHALLENGE AWAITS
Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione has had his own challenges in preparing the Aggies with only five days rest and a travel day Wednesday that knocked game-day preparation even more off kilter.
''My clock's a little messed up,'' he said earlier this week, ``but we'll be fine. It's exciting to be going to the Orange Bowl. I've never coached there. You get to play in this time slot. . . and I know they'll be excited about that. They've been looking forward to this game for a long time.
``I know we'll have a lot of Aggies in the stands in Miami.''
Both teams have impressive Thursday-night records: UM is 10-1, having won its past 10 games; and A&M is 9-0 since 2000.
The last time the teams played one another? On Dec. 8, 1944, when the Aggies overwhelmed the Hurricanes 70-14 in the Orange Bowl.
''Great team, real physical,'' said UM guard Andrew Bain of the 2007 version of Texas A&M. ``It's going to be awesome -- a lot of energy in the air, a lot of tradition.''
The University of Miami is hoping for a huge crowd in the Orange Bowl tonight, because home-field advantage must be the reason the unranked Hurricanes are favored by 2 ½ points against No. 20 Texas A&M in an ESPN telecast.
Considering the Aggies (3-0) have the nation's fifth-ranked rushing offense and No. 11 scoring offense, the Hurricanes (2-1) can at least depend on their fans -- if they decide to show -- to make some noise when dual-threat quarterback Stephen McGee is in the huddle.
''I don't really care,'' said 6-5, 298-pound All-Big 12 guard Kirk Elder of the point spread. ``That's some person in Vegas. I'd much rather be the underdog.''
Elder and his potent offense are one reason UM fans are more than a little concerned this week, especially in light of the Hurricanes' struggles in finding the end zone (that's another reason) when UM has the ball.
The last time UM faced a Big 12 team, nearly two weeks ago in Norman, Okla., the opponents scored 51 points and amassed 411 yards.
About to face three talented, diversified runners, and an offensive line sixth in the nation in sacks allowed, the UM defense will be crucial this week in determining the outcome.
''People don't really know who we are and how good we are because we haven't shown anybody,'' said junior defensive end Calais Campbell, who is expected to be a first-round draft choice should he leave after this season. Nonetheless, he rotates with the other ends and has only 1.5 sacks. ``In my eyes I know I can play a lot better. I had the quarterback in my hands three or four times [against Florida International] and I didn't get him down.''
Added Campbell: ``I want [the Orange Bowl] to be full. That's a big part of the game -- the crowd. When we go to away games, the crowds are always full.''
HANDS FULL
Miami's run defense will have all it can handle trying to suppress McGee, the Aggies' leading rusher with 87.6 yards a game and two touchdowns; Mike Goodson, with an 82.3-yard average and two touchdowns; and 6-0, 268-pound bruiser Jorvorskie Lane, who barrels down the middle for short- and goal-line yardage and has seven touchdowns.
Last Saturday, FIU became the third team in the past 16 games to gain more than 100 ground yards. UM's 2006 rush defense ranked fourth in the NCAA, but its tackles have been either injured or inexperienced. And some linebackers, according to coach Randy Shannon, need to tackle better.
''They have to get back on being focused,'' Shannon said. ``The one thing that was heartbreaking [against FIU] was the quarterback scrambles. Now that was the D-line. The quarterback got 60 yards on scrambles alone. That's costly.''
CHALLENGE AWAITS
Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione has had his own challenges in preparing the Aggies with only five days rest and a travel day Wednesday that knocked game-day preparation even more off kilter.
''My clock's a little messed up,'' he said earlier this week, ``but we'll be fine. It's exciting to be going to the Orange Bowl. I've never coached there. You get to play in this time slot. . . and I know they'll be excited about that. They've been looking forward to this game for a long time.
``I know we'll have a lot of Aggies in the stands in Miami.''
Both teams have impressive Thursday-night records: UM is 10-1, having won its past 10 games; and A&M is 9-0 since 2000.
The last time the teams played one another? On Dec. 8, 1944, when the Aggies overwhelmed the Hurricanes 70-14 in the Orange Bowl.
''Great team, real physical,'' said UM guard Andrew Bain of the 2007 version of Texas A&M. ``It's going to be awesome -- a lot of energy in the air, a lot of tradition.''
The University of Miami will have another opportunity this week when it plays 20th-ranked Texas A&M to not only beat a nationally-ranked opponent, but play on national television. Canes fans once took these matchups for granted because UM always seemed to playing on national television. But these days with Miami out of the Top 25 poll, UM fans have to realize how important it is to not only have a game like this, but win a game like this considering where Miami is now compared to where it once was.
Winning games like these is what used to help Miami land other big-time recruits in state's like Texas and California. This week, a few potential Miami recruits including Texas safety Victor Johnson (who UM in his top 3) will be watching. The nation, like Johnson, knows its been a while since the Canes have won a big game. Beating an undefeated team at home in the OB on ESPN would go a long way in not only helping lifting the Canes out of their current "rebuilding stage," but help coach Randy Shannon have more in his back pocket when he goes into the living room for guys like Johnson and others Miami used to pull out of other states with regularity.
That being said, no matter what Las Vegas is saying about this game (Miami is a three-point favorite), I think we all can agree Miami should be the underdog in this game considering recent history and not distant history. Texas A&M comes in with one of the nation's most potent run (Aggies are ranked 5th) and scoring offenses (they've scored 14 TDs -- twice as many as UM) and have a dual-threat quarterback in Stephen McGee which looks a lot like the type of athlete that has caused Miami's defense problems in the past (READ SARAH ROTHCHILD'S STORY). The Canes offense, meanwhile, seems to be still stuck with a bad case of cantfindtheendzone. On paper, the Aggies should roll over Miami. But I'm going to try to give you five ways Miami can win this game.
1. GET THE OB ROCKING AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: I hate to point out stats like this considering Miami's rich history, but the Canes are actually 1-7 against ranked opponents since losing to LSU in the Peach Bowl season. The good news, the last time Miami played at home against a Top 25 team, it won, beating 18th-ranked Boston College 17-14 in last year's season finale. But this being the final season in the OB and all, Canes fans ought to have the OB rocking. If Miami can keep their fans in the game, the Canes' 12th man should be loud enough down the stretch to get the Aggies a little nervous -- maybe enough to help Miami spring the upset.
2. SLOW DOWN THE RUN: OK, so No. 1 had nothing to do with what UM has to do on the field. But this one is the No. 1 issue for Miami on the gridiron in this game. If A&M runs the football like it has all season (they average 296.3 yards a game), the Canes are going to get blown out of the OB. So far, Miami's run defense is ranked 25th in the country this season (giving up an average of 51 yards a game). But they haven't faced a team like A&M before, which operates out of an option, quarterback zone read with McGee usually in the shotgun and running backs Jorvorskie Lane and Mike Goodman with him in the backfield. Defensive end Calais Campbell told me the closest comparison he could make was to Georgia Tech. Defensive line coach Clint Hurtt said each of Miami's opponents have run a package with of it, but not to the obvious extent A&M does. "They're disciplined. Their offense does a lot of different things and they hope you make mistakes out of it," Campbell told me (TO LISTEN TO CAMPBELL AND HURTT BREAKDOWN A&M FOLLOW THE LINK TO OUR AUDIO SECTION).
- The good news is UM will be aided this week by the return of its three best defensive tackles -- Teraz McCray, Antonio Dixon and Dwayne Hendricks, who have been hampered by injuries. Hurtt told me their return should help Campbell and Miami's defensive ends not feel like they need to carry the burden and allow them to play balanced, a key to stopping this running game. I'm not going to set any goals this week as far as rushing numbers are concerned, but rather first downs and third down conversions. If UM can keep A&M around 12 to 15 first downs (the Aggies average 23.5) and keep their 3rd down conversion percentage below 40 percent (A&M averages 55 percent) then the Canes should have a chance to win this game.
The University of Miami will have another opportunity this week when it plays 20th-ranked Texas A&M to not only beat a nationally-ranked opponent, but play on national television. Canes fans once took these matchups for granted because UM always seemed to playing on national television. But these days with Miami out of the Top 25 poll, UM fans have to realize how important it is to not only have a game like this, but win a game like this considering where Miami is now compared to where it once was.
Winning games like these is what used to help Miami land other big-time recruits in state's like Texas and California. This week, a few potential Miami recruits including Texas safety Victor Johnson (who UM in his top 3) will be watching. The nation, like Johnson, knows its been a while since the Canes have won a big game. Beating an undefeated team at home in the OB on ESPN would go a long way in not only helping lifting the Canes out of their current "rebuilding stage," but help coach Randy Shannon have more in his back pocket when he goes into the living room for guys like Johnson and others Miami used to pull out of other states with regularity.
That being said, no matter what Las Vegas is saying about this game (Miami is a three-point favorite), I think we all can agree Miami should be the underdog in this game considering recent history and not distant history. Texas A&M comes in with one of the nation's most potent run (Aggies are ranked 5th) and scoring offenses (they've scored 14 TDs -- twice as many as UM) and have a dual-threat quarterback in Stephen McGee which looks a lot like the type of athlete that has caused Miami's defense problems in the past (READ SARAH ROTHCHILD'S STORY). The Canes offense, meanwhile, seems to be still stuck with a bad case of cantfindtheendzone. On paper, the Aggies should roll over Miami. But I'm going to try to give you five ways Miami can win this game.
1. GET THE OB ROCKING AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: I hate to point out stats like this considering Miami's rich history, but the Canes are actually 1-7 against ranked opponents since losing to LSU in the Peach Bowl season. The good news, the last time Miami played at home against a Top 25 team, it won, beating 18th-ranked Boston College 17-14 in last year's season finale. But this being the final season in the OB and all, Canes fans ought to have the OB rocking. If Miami can keep their fans in the game, the Canes' 12th man should be loud enough down the stretch to get the Aggies a little nervous -- maybe enough to help Miami spring the upset.
2. SLOW DOWN THE RUN: OK, so No. 1 had nothing to do with what UM has to do on the field. But this one is the No. 1 issue for Miami on the gridiron in this game. If A&M runs the football like it has all season (they average 296.3 yards a game), the Canes are going to get blown out of the OB. So far, Miami's run defense is ranked 25th in the country this season (giving up an average of 51 yards a game). But they haven't faced a team like A&M before, which operates out of an option, quarterback zone read with McGee usually in the shotgun and running backs Jorvorskie Lane and Mike Goodman with him in the backfield. Defensive end Calais Campbell told me the closest comparison he could make was to Georgia Tech. Defensive line coach Clint Hurtt said each of Miami's opponents have run a package with of it, but not to the obvious extent A&M does. "They're disciplined. Their offense does a lot of different things and they hope you make mistakes out of it," Campbell told me (TO LISTEN TO CAMPBELL AND HURTT BREAKDOWN A&M FOLLOW THE LINK TO OUR AUDIO SECTION).
- The good news is UM will be aided this week by the return of its three best defensive tackles -- Teraz McCray, Antonio Dixon and Dwayne Hendricks, who have been hampered by injuries. Hurtt told me their return should help Campbell and Miami's defensive ends not feel like they need to carry the burden and allow them to play balanced, a key to stopping this running game. I'm not going to set any goals this week as far as rushing numbers are concerned, but rather first downs and third down conversions. If UM can keep A&M around 12 to 15 first downs (the Aggies average 23.5) and keep their 3rd down conversion percentage below 40 percent (A&M averages 55 percent) then the Canes should have a chance to win this game.
Hey Veech, go back and re-read the posts from that week. I tried to warn you.
I'm not betting this game, but think A&M will win. I hope they do, otherwise the Big 12 will look really weak.
Hey Veech, go back and re-read the posts from that week. I tried to warn you.
I'm not betting this game, but think A&M will win. I hope they do, otherwise the Big 12 will look really weak.
4. WIN ON SPECIAL TEAMS: This is one you can say every week. But the truth is the Canes haven't really proved much here yet. A&M has one of the best kick returners in the country in senior Kerry Franks. The Big 12’s top kick returner in 2006 has continued to enhance his reputation as the league’s most dangerous return man. With most teams kicking away from him, Franks is still averaging 36.7 yards on three returns this season. Miami as we know hasn't been spectacular on kickoffs or punts of late. In a game like this where the defense is going to be most responsible for a Miami win, they need some field position help.
5. GET THE BIG PLAY: Last week against FIU, Lance Leggett broke free for an 80-yard touchdown pass. It was his only catch of the game. Miami really didn't have any other similar plays against Oklahoma. But against Marshall, they did get a Tavares Gooden interception to the 1 that setup a touchdown and a 50-yard run by Graig Cooper which setup another score. If Miami is going to win this game against A&M, they're going to need at least one big play -- a momentum changing turnover -- or a big run or pass on offense to help them to an easy score and give the offense a boost.
MY PREDICTION: Miami 22, Texas A&M 20. My head is telling me to pick A&M, that Miami simply isn't ready to win a game like this against an opponent that on paper clearly appears better. But the fact the Canes are at home, in their final season at the OB and the defense is getting three big weapons back makes me think this will end up being Randy Shannon's first big win in his coaching career. A&M, after all, hasn't exactly played a tough schedule. They beat Montana State 38-7, Louisiana Monroe 54-14 and needed triple overtime to beat Fresno State 47-45, a team that is 1-2 after getting blown out by Oregon 52-21 last week. This also A&M's first road game of the season. I'm thinking James, Cooper and McNeal tally more than 200 yards rushing and Francesco Zampogna kicks a career-high 5 field goals and UM holds on behind its defense and a last-second missed field goal by A&M to win.
4. WIN ON SPECIAL TEAMS: This is one you can say every week. But the truth is the Canes haven't really proved much here yet. A&M has one of the best kick returners in the country in senior Kerry Franks. The Big 12’s top kick returner in 2006 has continued to enhance his reputation as the league’s most dangerous return man. With most teams kicking away from him, Franks is still averaging 36.7 yards on three returns this season. Miami as we know hasn't been spectacular on kickoffs or punts of late. In a game like this where the defense is going to be most responsible for a Miami win, they need some field position help.
5. GET THE BIG PLAY: Last week against FIU, Lance Leggett broke free for an 80-yard touchdown pass. It was his only catch of the game. Miami really didn't have any other similar plays against Oklahoma. But against Marshall, they did get a Tavares Gooden interception to the 1 that setup a touchdown and a 50-yard run by Graig Cooper which setup another score. If Miami is going to win this game against A&M, they're going to need at least one big play -- a momentum changing turnover -- or a big run or pass on offense to help them to an easy score and give the offense a boost.
MY PREDICTION: Miami 22, Texas A&M 20. My head is telling me to pick A&M, that Miami simply isn't ready to win a game like this against an opponent that on paper clearly appears better. But the fact the Canes are at home, in their final season at the OB and the defense is getting three big weapons back makes me think this will end up being Randy Shannon's first big win in his coaching career. A&M, after all, hasn't exactly played a tough schedule. They beat Montana State 38-7, Louisiana Monroe 54-14 and needed triple overtime to beat Fresno State 47-45, a team that is 1-2 after getting blown out by Oregon 52-21 last week. This also A&M's first road game of the season. I'm thinking James, Cooper and McNeal tally more than 200 yards rushing and Francesco Zampogna kicks a career-high 5 field goals and UM holds on behind its defense and a last-second missed field goal by A&M to win.
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