Miami at Ohio State, Line OSU -8
Over at the JCB, I've been blogging an on going series of sneak peaks on the out of conference season for the Big 10. Today, I posted on the Canes/Bucks match in Week 2.
Right now, OSU is -8 at the Horseshoe.
Let's talk about this game. I am leaning towards taking the points. I think Jacory Harris and the Canes can get the points out of the passing game that Michigan and Oregon could not against the Bucks. I think this stays a close game throughout and if Jacory can avoid the turnover bug--a big IF--then I think Miami can spring the upset.
But let's talk about this game and get a good back anf forth going. As Michigan fans, do we want OSU to even win? Will we care as long as Michigan beats ND that day? Can the Canes compete or will this be blowout city in Columbus?
And, as a college football fan do you your TV set up yet? During the 3:30 window that days ND/UM, Miami/OSU, Iowa/Iowa State and Florida State/Oklahoma will all be kicking off at the same time. You have 6 weeks to get all your TVs in position.
As much as I like watching buckeye nation meltdown, I prefer them having a successful season and capping it off with a loss to us. I think I would rather see a win against Miami and provide some more evidence against the "Big Ten is weak"-meme.
Really it boils down to which ESPN headline is more annoying:
"Is the Big Ten Washed up?" vs "Is Terrelle Pryor the Chosen One/Who can beat the buckeyes?"
I feel like the success of the Big Ten in bowls last year was enough to shut ESPN up, at least for the short term. I understand your logic about the Big Ten being represented well, but my hatred for OSU dispels all logic.
Nothing is ever enough to shut ESPN up.
For some reason I thought the OSU/ Miami game would be the ABC nightcap...But to your question, hell no. I would love to see Miami hang 40 on Pryor in the shoe. Unless it will benefit Michigan in some way, I root for them to lose every game.
I would rather see the Buckleyes get smoked than see the Big Ten win. I would have a hard time taking the Canes in the horseshoe with OSU's defense (wait, was that a OSU compliment?).
As far as the other games go, I am disappointed they did not schedule the games at different times. I would have liked to see FSU/OK at noon, U-M/ND at 3:30pm, and Miama/OSU at 8:30pm. Only one game really matters at that time though.
I love the 8 pts in this game. I still don't believe in Pryor being able to dissect a defense and the Canes have the athleticism to contain him. The lead up will all be about how Wisconsin punched them in the mouth and how the Buckeyes will push them around, but the Canes have been stocking up the last few years playing young guys(sound familiar?) and will be ready for this game. I'm sure the Miami weigh room has something posted abot that Wisc. game in it.
I see a tight low scoring game, but I'm hopeful for a TP 4 interception game and a 31-6 beatdown that sends Buckeye nation into a tailspin.
Ohio State's going to win and it won't even be close. As for tv set up? The fine folks at ESPN 3 gives me the ability to view the games later, so I'll stay glued to the ND game.
Since its been mentioned, here's what I know of the TV slate that day.
At noon, its kinda quiet with UGA/South Carolina, Ga Tech/Kansas and USF/Florida the main games, but only the UGA one has been announced on TV anywhere on ESPN
I mentioned the above 3:30 window, which also includes BYU/Air Force on Versus.
As far as KNIGHT GAMEZ that day.
The 7:00 window includes PSU-Bama, Oregon-Tenn and Vandy at LSU on ESPN, ESPN 2 and ESPN U
And at 10:30 we've got Standford/UCLA, UVA-USC and CSU-Nevada on ESPN, ESPN 2 and ESPN U.
So, it's a pretty full slate. No ABC primtime game that night, but a doubleheader on all 3 main ESPN channels with good games.
I really don't care about the outcome as long as we beat ND. That being said, if we beat ND and then I start partying (which I will), and then OSU loses, it does make my night a little better.
I'm going to root for a Miami win followed by a PSU blowout of Alabama so that OSU can lose but the "Big Ten is Washed Up" headline can't be justified for more than a couple hours.
I wish I could imagine it playing out that way but if that's the goal I think reversing the outcome of those games is more likely.
I would love to see OSU lose this game but being at home I think they beat Miami soundly. Tressel will have the team fired up about loss of respect in their win over Miami in the MNC game. I like the fact Miami has the speed to contain but OSU is just tougher at home, that defense is just ridiculous and Tressel will have them in the right frame of mind.
With that said believe me when I say I'll grudgingly root for Miami in this game and hope they can pull out a win. I am beyond caring if OSU wins their big games or not for the good of the conference.
I think if TP can stay focused and not be thinking about writing his next research paper - how to research things like researching on if a job is good or bad and if it is something I could do the rest of my life and be happy or not - the Buckeyes have a chance.
It's an obvious choice to watch the UM/ND game but I think it does hurt the conference to have two national big 10 games kicking off at the same time.
Don't know how Miami will perform against a strong OSU defence, they held together well against an Oregon team that relied on offense. TP (obviously I'm not a fan) has shown improvements but I think OSU wins this game on the line with pressure on the qb and a strong running attack. I don't know if I can take the 8 pts, it might not be enough for Miami.
I think -8 is a pretty fair line. Is the PSU-Bama line still -9? I can't imagine Penn St. coming within 14 of them in Newsome's (or whoever else) first away game at night.
The talking heads usually determine whether or not I want the Buckeyes to lose a given game in all honesty. With OSU favored I might be able to successfully root for the Canes in this one, but all it takes is one idiotic comment from Pam Ward to swing me back around to Big Ten loyalty. As much as it pains me to say it I think OSU is going to have a pretty special team this year. Miami has been steadily improving, but I'd say if this game was played five times, Ohio State would win four of those just based on sheer defensive power.
I think OSU wins this game and covers. Tressel knows that if they win this game they will be vaulted into the top 2 spots in the rankings and that should help them cruise to a potential NC game if they navigate their favorable b10 schedule correctly. This is a bigger game for OSU then Miami. OSU should come into the season in the top 5, probably top 3. Win against Miami and they'll be an even trendier pick for the BCS NC game.
taking the buckeyes and giving the 8 pts, but would still hope the canes win !
ACC is Soft !
Autumn in Ohio is so much more enjoyable when the Bucks lose early. Instead of hearing how this year's squad is the best team eva, we get to hear all the reasons they should've won.