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Game Thread Game One: Ohio State 34, Miami of Ohio 14 (final)

http://www.cfbnews.com/Big_Ten/2005_Predictions/Sept3_2.htm
Sat Sept. 3
Miami University at Ohio State noon
Why to watch: This has landmine written all over it. Miami appears to be just about as good as Ben Roethlisbeger's 13-1 juggernaut of 2003 and is more than talented enough to catch the Buckeyes looking ahead to the Texas showdown next week. Ohio State wants to continue the momentum built at the end of last year when it rocked Michigan and Oklahoma State getting Buckeye fans talking about a possible spot in the 2006 Rose Bowl for the national title. Considering how "Tressel Ball" normally keeps games close, this could be far more competitive than many might expect.
Why Miami might win: With 18 starters back from last year's MAC runner up, Miami has the experience to come out jelled right away. Don't overlook the motivation factor as many RedHawks grew up dreaming of playing for Ohio State only to get spurned or ignored. Yeah, Ohio State looks like its in for a big season, but is the offense going to be better after struggling throughout last year when it finished 98th in the nation? Overall consistency will be a key, and that's usually the main thing missing in the season opener.
Why Ohio State might win: Miami has to work on its secondary while going against one of the nation's best receiving corps. Corner Darrell Hunter will get paid to play next year at this time, but the rest of the RedHawk secondary is better at tackling than covering. With Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn Jr. to deal with, Miami could have a rough time stopping the Buckeye passing game if QB Justin Zwick gets time to work.
Who to watch: It'll be tough to find a better matchup of top-flight punt returners this season. Ted Ginn Jr. led the nation last season with a 25.6 yard average with four touchdowns, while Miami's Ryne Robinson has a 15.6 yard career average with five touchdowns. The two can also catch passes with Robinson leading the RedHawks with 64 grabs for 932 yards and four touchdowns and Ginn Jr. making
25 catches for 359 yards and two touchdowns.
What will happen: The Ohio State defense will keep Miami from pulling off the upset, but Buckeye fans need to be prepared to sweat a little bit.
CFN Prediction
: Ohio State 23 ... Miami University 13
... Line: Ohio State -15
Must See Rating:
(5 lock yourself in a room to watch - 1 The Comeback) ... 4
Final Score:

Maybe they have to load up the box to have a chance, but this sounds like a recipe for big numbers for our passing game.

http://the-ozone.net/football/2005/Miami/fronts.htm
Football
Buckeyes Hope Offensive Experience will Counter RedHawk Defense Challenge
By John Porentas

The Miami RedHawks may not be favored to beat the Buckeyes on Saturday, but when their defense takes the field, the RedHawks will be daring the Buckeyes to beat them. <table align="left" width="150"> <tbody><tr> <td>
tressel-180.jpg
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Head Coach Jim Tressel
Photo by Jim Davidson
[/font]​
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

"Miami is going to make sure that you have to pass it," said OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel.

"They're going to put nine guys in the box if they can, eight guys for sure. They're going to lock up on your receivers and make you earn every yard that you get. They're not a high blitz team, but they blitz enough that you better be good at the stuff you do against the blitz," Tressel said.

"That's a pain," said OSU center Nick Mangold describing what it's like to block an eight-man or nine-man front.

Blocking against an eight-man or nine-man front might be a pain, but fellow offensive lineman Rob Sims is hoping the experience the Buckeyes have on the offensive side of the ball will allow them to move the ball against the RedHawks.

"If they want to stop our run, our pass has to be on point, so our protection has got to be good. One thing that helps you be good in protection is experience. I think that will help us a lot up there," said Sims.

Five offensive linemen, a tight end and fullback can block seven players, but with eight or nine in the box, the math favors the defense. According to Mangold, that's where experience in the backfield comes in. <table align="right" width="150"> <tbody><tr> <td>
mangold-180.jpg
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Senior center Nick Mangold
Photo by Jim Davidson [/font]
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

"It helps, especially with Schnittker being back there at tailback, knowing that we can block everybody but there's still going to be an extra guy somewhere and you're going to have to break a tackle. I think that really helps with his maturity level," said Mangold.

Blocking the eight or nine man front is a challenge, but if an offense can get it done, it can earn big plays. If a ball carrier can clear the line of scrimmage, there is very little left in the way of defenders, and that can lead to big plays in the running game.

Running back Antonio Pittman recognizes the opportunities to make big plays against the eight or nine man front.

"With them loading the box, if you get past the linebackers, you're gone. It's one move to a touchdown," said Pittman.

"I understand that. They (the offensive line) free everything up and it's one man. It's up to me to make him miss. If I make him miss, there's no one back there," said Pittman.

The eight or nine man front also means that the cornerbacks must man-up on the wide receivers. Buckeye wide receiver Santonio Holmes sees that as a challenge to him and the rest of the OSU receiving corps.

"I know they like to have their corners on an island," said Holmes.

"They think their corners are great, which they are good. If they put us out there with those guys on an island, we're going to have to hurt them with our explosiveness.
 
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http://the-ozone.net/football/2005/Miami/teamfocus.htm
Football
Fans Focused on Texas; Buckeyes Focused on Miami
By John Porentas

If ever there was a setup for an upset, this is it. The Buckeyes, however, aren't falling for it.

The fever over the Texas game is reaching fever pitch everywhere in Ohio - except the OSU football locker room.

While the public is transfixed by the high-profile matchup in the second game of the season, the Buckeyes themselves claim to be firmly focused on a different game, the one that will be played this weekend in Ohio Stadium with the Miami RedHawks. <table align="left" width="135"> <tbody><tr> <td>
sims-180.jpg
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Senior LG Rob Sims
Photo by Jim Davidson [/font]​
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

"We can't win the national championship without beating Miami of Ohio. Our goal is to be undefeated and go to the national championship. We've got to take care of business here first," said OSU offensive lineman Rob Sims.

According to Sims, the seniors on this OSU team remember the one-game-at-a-time approach that the Buckeyes took in 2002, one that earned them a national championship. Sims says that looking ahead past the opponent of the week just won't be tolerated. whether it's Texas or anybody else.

"I won't allow it, I know the other three captains won't allow it, I know the seniors won't allow it, and especially coach Tressel won't allow it, because they're really not anybody to overlook," said Sims.

"They're (Miami) a really good team. We've seen them on film and they're a really good team."

The Buckeyes are saying the right things, and when you look them in the eye, you get the impression they mean what they say; they aren't looking past Miami.

"They have a bunch of team speed, and speed kills," said linebacker A. J. Hawk. "We have respect for them as a team."

The RedHawks consider themselves giant killers, but current Buckeye tight ends coach and former Miami offensive line coach John Peterson has made sure that the Buckeyes are well-aware of Miami's tradition of knocking off higher ranked opponents.

"Coach Peterson used to coach down there and they have a wall full of Tomahawks that when they knock off a ranked team, they put one up on the wall," said OSU quarterback Justin Zwick.

"We know their tradition and that they've been there before and we're expecting a great game out of them on Saturday."

The Buckeyes expect a great game from the RedHawks. They also expect a great game of themselves.

"Hopefully we'll have a balanced attack, score a lot of points and come away with the W. That's what the most important thing is," said Zwick.

"I plan to go out there and run all over Miami. That's what we plan to do," said Sims.
 
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Okay, tell me what you guys think....(glasses off please.)

The name of the school that OSU is playing on Sept.3rd is Miami University. They are the RedHawks. They are in Ohio.
The University of Miami is in Florida, correct?

Not so, according to Ohio State!

http://athletics.osu.edu/gameday/game.aspx

University of Miami (OH) Redhawks

I know Miami is small, and not a first tier school, but at least get the name right. I'm about to email OSU athletic Department to ask that they correct that, and make sure that they say Miami University on game day. All the money OSU has, and they can't get a name right. Guess Miami can call Ohio State, The State University of Ohio.(I put the 'The' in there for ya.)

Miami U, is now a branch of a school in Florida. Ugh.

Anyways, this'll prolly be the last time in a while I post on here.
 
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typos happen all of the time, take a deep breath.

I wouldn't expect you to be posting on here much after this, since we're gonna whip your bitter boys back to your campus :wink:
 
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"It helps, especially with Schnittker being back there at tailback, knowing that we can block everybody but there's still going to be an extra guy somewhere and you're going to have to break a tackle. I think that really helps with his maturity level," said Mangold.

Knowing that there's still going to be an extra guy somewhere is nice, because that means they aren't covering our WR's. Miami is foolish to think this is an advantage to them. Bring it, RedChoch.

"With them loading the box, if you get past the linebackers, you're gone. It's one move to a touchdown," said Pittman.

This guy could have a huge, huge, huge day. Let's hope the line picks up assignments as they are capable of, because that's what stands between Pittman and 150 early yards, going by this article.

"I plan to go out there and run all over Miami. That's what we plan to do," said Sims.

Nice. 4 year starter (I count the '03 Fiesta Bowl as a year, because it was a pretty damn big game) having the piss and vinegar attitude to knock this DLine off the ball. Stack the box, RedChoch, see what happens. Just remember Sims is gonna pass block too, and you guys can pick your poison at that point.

"Anyways, this'll prolly be the last time in a while I post on here." CountryRedHawk said.

Dang it. I was looking forward to more insightful posts from this cat. Shouldn't this be the first stop on Miami's trek to their first national title? I mean, seriously, knock off the Buckeyes, and we're talking top 10 next week. I don't think I speak for myself when I say that we are gonna miss you. Or maybe I'm just that full of shit!!

What will happen: The Ohio State defense will keep Miami from pulling off the upset, but Buckeye fans need to be prepared to sweat a little bit.
CFN Prediction
: Ohio State 23 ... Miami University 13 ...

Ooh, OSU sweating a little bit, like that would be something new. Have you met our coach? He's 40-11, with a ring. If OSU pulls away, everyone will have expected it. If OSU doesn't pull away, everyone will have expected it. If OSU trips over their own legs, everyone will say "I told you so." This is a no win situation for OSU. Except, oops, I forgot. OSU is gonna come out with so much fire, and so much to prove...Tressel Ball will be enough for OSU to kill the clock after a substantial lead early. I see Miami fighting late, but then remembering why they ended up at Miami, and not OSU, in the first place. I give Miami +17, and I'm feeling nice today.
 
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Miami has met Sweatvest.(I say that jokingly of course.) He did coach for Miami for 2 years.(I believe.)

I'll predict a Miami upset, aka, JT puts in the second team and Miami scores 2 quickly, and OSU misses the winning field goal... WIDE RIGHT!(FSU reference there. Just felt like putting that in there.)

Miami-33
OSU-31

or for the homer in me, Miami-55, OSU-0! There, happy?! That score would never happen, ever.
 
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CountryRedHawk said:
Miami has met Sweatvest.(I say that jokingly of course.) He did coach for Miami for 2 years.(I believe.)

I'll predict a Miami upset, aka, JT puts in the second team and Miami scores 2 quickly, and OSU misses the winning field goal... WIDE RIGHT!(FSU reference there. Just felt like putting that in there.)

Miami-33
OSU-31

or for the homer in me, Miami-55, OSU-0! There, happy?! That score would never happen, ever.

Miami can't put 33 on the board against the second string defense if the game lasted 180 minutes.

34-13 is as close as you'll get.
 
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They might hit for 33, right around the same time we hit the century mark. Oh, are we supposed to be considerate around here? Oh, no?? then, shit, you're right, 33 would be a good guess at Miami's rushing yards. No?
 
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daddyphatsacs said:
Expect OSU to avoid Hunter at one CB......and watch them pick on Redd........especially if Miami has the balls to play him man up against Holmes....Ginn......Gonzo........ect.
I wouldn't avoid Hunter at all, in fact, I'd throw right at him. He has tremendous speed but unless he's improved his coverage skills ten fold from last year he won't be able to cover Hamby, let alone our receivers. His best trait is running down a receiver after a big gain. He's not lining up against OU or Kent receivers this week, though. He's also very soft and tries to avoid contact as much as possible. Getting our RB's outside in his direction could be huge for us. All of this hype about Hunter is because of his speed, not his ability.
 
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http://www.cfbnews.com/2005/Columnists/Misc/BigTenWeek1.htm
Miami (Ohio) at Ohio State (-14 ½)
Ohio State enters the season with aspirations of a trip to Pasadena and a shot at the National Title, and that quest will start against Miami (Ohio), a team they are facing for just the second time since 1911. The Buckeyes will head into the game without QB Troy Smith, who is suspended for one game. Experienced Justin Zwick will get the start, but the offense struggled in his six starts last season. Part of the cure for the offense, in addition to the change to Smith, was getting the ball in the hands of WR Ted Ginn, Jr. Ginn is one of the fastest and most dynamic players in all of college football; he is a threat to score any time he handles the ball. If Ohio State is going to contend for a title, the running game will have to produce like it did in last season’s second half; Antonio Pittman should get the first shot at the job.
Miami QB Josh Betts had big shoes to step into with the departure of Ben Roethlisberger last year. He acquitted himself well, throwing 24 TDs, although he did toss 14 interceptions as well. WR Martin Nance is a top pro prospect, at 6’-5” with 4.4 speed in the 40. He had 90 catches in 2003 but suffered a knee injury in the fifth game last season. With the top two rushers gone, the RedHawks will struggle on the ground. The Buckeyes defense, led by LBs A.J. Hawk, Anthony Schlegel, and Bobby Carpenter is the best position group on what might be the best defense in the nation.
Brad: Terry Hoeppner is gone but the RedHawks will survive and probably still thrive in 2005. Problem is the Buckeye defense is a brick wall and no one has proven they can stop the magical wheels of Ted Ginn Jr. Ohio State 33, Miami 13.
Tom: Miami should be up for this game against their in-state rival, and Ohio State has a prime-time battle with Texas next week. The Bucks will try to get the offense ready for the showdown in The Horseshoe with the Longhorns, while the defense could pitch a shutout. Ohio State 24, Miami 6.
 
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