NCAA FB

FOX Sports Exclusive

CFN: Miami proves its mettle in win over Oklahoma

Share This Story

foxsports admin

 
Updated Oct 4, 2009 2:27 PM ET
     
 
Instant analysis of No. 17 Miami's 21-20 upset thriller over No. 8 Oklahoma.

Bradford's absence cost OU

Landry Jones wasn't bad, he completed 18 of 30 passes for 188 yards, and he threw a heck of a ball for a 16-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, but I have a hard time accepting that Oklahoma isn't two points better if Sam Bradford is under center (losing to Miami and BYU by one point each). Of course it was the OU defense's fault — it had a chance to come up with a stop in the final four minutes and couldn't get the ball back to its offense — and it didn't come through against Max Hall and BYU in crunch time in the opening day 14-13 loss. The defensive front is the most talented in the country, but Miami gouged it with 150 rushing yards from Javarris James and Jacory Harris hung tough when he had to, despite being bounced around. But would OU put up 188 passing yards with the reigning Heisman winner and the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft under center? No, Oklahoma doesn't deserve to be in the national championship chase at this point, but if and when Bradford is back and if and when the offense starts rolling again — and that includes a running game that would benefit from not having opposing defenses to load up to stop it — the Sooners could be among the best teams in the country again. — Pete Fiutak

Harris exudes composure

Although I've seen just about every one of Jacory Harris' games over the last two years, I'm still amazed at the poise he shows at the controls of the Miami offense. Harris is just a true sophomore, but you'd never know it by watching him play, especially in the Hurricanes' 21-20 win over Oklahoma on Saturday night. Most underclassmen would have wilted after throwing a couple of early picks and falling behind to the Sooners. Not Harris. His demeanor never changed. His approach never changed. His results, however, did. He regrouped to throw three touchdown passes to three different receivers, turning a 7-0 deficit into a 21-10 lead that Miami would never relinquish. The 'Canes have now beaten three ranked teams in the first four games, largely on the right arm of Harris. Beyond the physical gifts, the kid is a winner since his days in high school, and the right quarterback at the right time for Miami. There'll still be more days, like last weekend's debacle in Blacksburg. There'll be even more high points as long as No. 12 is taking snaps and calmly piloting that Hurricane offense. — Richard Cirminiello

Stoops was outcoached ... again

1. Well, this makes two close games in 2009 in which Bob Stoops has come up short. He got outcoached by BYU's Bronco Mendenhall a month ago, and now Randy Shannon and Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple outfoxed him down the stretch. First of all, the play selection from OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson on the Sooners' final drive was alarming to say the least. Not only did the Sooners fail to run to the left side of their offensive line, they employed a timid and tame flat pass — with no downfield dimension — on third-and-9 near the Miami red zone in a four-point game (21-17). On the other side of the ball, Whipple — the coordinator who has made such a huge difference in South Florida — had the guts to throw on third-and-6 when Stoops and his staff had their defense in a run-based alignment in the game's final minutes. The 2009 college football season has taught us that even the very best in the profession are hardly immune from repeated instances of failure. Stoops is very much a giant in his industry, but let's be sure to dish out a little criticism to him, along with fellows named Carroll and Tressel.
downlevel description
This video requires the Adobe Flash Player. Download a free version of the player.
2. Headcase quarterbacks of America who can't keep your wits about you under fire: Talk to Jacory Harris. Learn at the feet of a young lad who knows who to stand strong and, like a pure three-point shooter who's just not getting the ball in the bucket, has the mental toughness needed to persistently pitch the pigskin with conviction in the face of a physical pass rush. Harris didn't flinch even when he had nothing working for him. Yes, he needed his offensive line to come up huge against OU's front seven, but it remains that Harris absorbed hard hits, didn't bail out on plays a la Jeff George, and showed the calm of a cutthroat competitor. This is why Miami could make the ACC (as shaky as the rest of the league is) a two-bid conference when the BCS bowls roll around. — Matt Zemek

Say it with me

We can now say it: "The U is back." It doesn't matter how many people Oklahoma had lost to injury, the Hurricanes' victory completed a 3-1 start against a brutal schedule and showed the nation that Miami has the talent and the attitude to get back into the upper-level discussion. There will be no run to a national championship, and a BCS bowl is probably out of the question, but this young team is back and looking like it has an incandescent future. There is no other team in the country that relies on swagger as a tool for success, but Miami needs it. And when you're not winning games, you can't brag and dance and point too many fingers. Miami now has the ability to break out the camouflage and give Luther Campbell a call. It won't be all there this year, but this team has a lot of speed, a bunch of playmakers, and if it can keep hold of Mark Whipple for a couple years, they'll have the offensive leadership to be a highly dangerous team. Again, it's too early to expect a giant run, but Miami has made its statement. Oklahoma, meanwhile, has time to regroup and even win the Big 12, but it needs Sam Bradford back. A little swagger wouldn't hurt, either. Perhaps they can borrow a little from the 'Canes. They should be loaded down with the stuff in no time. — Michael Bradley
Tagged: Miami (FL), Duke, South Florida, Oklahoma, Brigham Young

More Stories From foxsports admin



Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NCAA FB Videos

FOX Sports Next: Top Classes Posted: Feb 10, 2012
FOX Sports Next takes a look at which teams scored biggest on National Signing D...

FOX Sports Next: Round Table Posted: Feb 10, 2012
FOX Sports Next recaps all the drama that surrounded National Signing Day.

Scout: Signing Day - Top Classes Posted: Feb 02, 2012
Scout.com's Scott Kennedy gives you the top College Football recruiting classes ...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/206368/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_206000/FF_206368_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt
    Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USC_Trojans/browse/featuredproduct/454858/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_454000/FF_454858_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat
    adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Nebraska_Cornhuskers/browse/featuredproduct/477038/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_477000/ff_477038_xl.jpg&w=100 59.95 adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet
    Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_State_Seminoles/browse/featuredproduct/520956/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_520000/ff_520956_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet
    Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Kansas_State_Wildcats/browse/featuredproduct/681476/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_681000/ff_681476_xl.jpg&w=100 23.95 Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple
    Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Football Jersey - Crimson http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/771453/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_771000/ff_771453_xl.jpg&w=100 64.95 Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Footbal..
    Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/775105/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775105_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet
    Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Bound Target Knock Out Performance Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_LSU_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/776277/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_776000/ff_776277_xl.jpg&w=100 69.95 Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Bound Target Knock Out Perfo..
    Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Charcoal http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oklahoma_State_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/780963/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_780000/ff_780963_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Cha..
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft