Miami Is Back, in Doubt

MIAMI -- Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford or mustachioed Landry Jones?

Miami coach Randy Shannon has said all week that it doesn't matter which Oklahoma quarterback starts against the Hurricanes on Saturday because they are both dropback passers. Of course, that was settled Thursday, when Sooners coach Bob Stoops announced Jones would make his third consecutive start in place of the recovering Bradford. Truthfully, that might be the least of UM's concerns.

The Hurricanes' showdown with No. 8 Oklahoma at Land Shark Stadium represents their fourth consecutive game against a ranked opponent. No team in ACC history has opened its season with four games against nationally ranked teams.

UM and Oklahoma rekindle their rivalry in the second game of a home-and-home series that started two years ago in Norman, Okla., with a 51-13 rout by the Sooners. If there's ever a chance for the Hurricanes to show what kind of strides they've made since that 5-7 season, this is it.

It's also a better opportunity for UM to erase last week's 31-7 thrashing at Virginia Tech and further prove its national resurgence isn't a fluke. It would also represent the biggest win in Shannon's early tenure.

"It's just exciting with the tradition and histories of the programs," Stoops said.

"We recognize that going down to Miami is a big challenge. They have been very impressive, they have a very difficult schedule and they have handled it really well, especially with great wins their first two games."

Oklahoma, even without Bradford, enters as a seven-point favorite. Tickets sales suggest this could be one of the biggest home crowds in years, with a crowd in excess of 60,000 expected.

While current players don't know much about the rivalry -- for instance, Barry Switzer's Oklahoma teams went 33-0 against all other opponents during a three-year span in the mid-1980s, but were 0-3 against the Hurricanes -- the game still carries plenty of significance.

With all the upsets in September, the Sooners can vault themselves back into championship relevance in October with a victory. Stoops, however, isn't concerned with rankings ruckus, even if the Sooners played in the same stadium here nearly a year ago for the national title.

"I don't have time to think about anybody else," he said.

"I am just trying to focus on trying to get our team better, working for improvement, playing smarter and more disciplined. I just focus on that and working on what we are able to control."

UM needs to rebound from its loss to the Hokies or the optimism for its 2-0 start will certainly lose its luster.

"We're not perfect," UM quarterback Jacory Harris said.

"Nobody said we were. People kind of made it that we were, but at the same time, we understood that we slipped up and we let VT come out with a win. That's something we can't do."


That's why the Hurricanes really never got into a lather concerning the status of Bradford, who has been out since the season's opening week when he suffered a shoulder injury against BYU.

Landry, known for a mustache he was too lazy to shave off, has played well. He has completed 49-o- 81 passes for 673 yards and nine touchdowns with three interceptions. He threw a school-record six touchdowns against Tulsa.

"He does what he needs to do to get the job done," Shannon said.

"He drops back, sees the coverage, and goes to his reads. It's a timing offense and he does a great job of dropping back and getting the ball out."

Oklahoma, ranked 18th in total offense, has also allowed just two sacks -- tied for fewest in the nation. The Sooners are also averaging 40.7 points per game.

"I really don't care," UM offensive guard Joel Figueroa said when asked who the Hurricanes would rather face behind center. "The only thing I am worried about is the 11 guys on defense."

Good observation.

UM must contend with a Sooners defense that is one of the nation's best. Where does it rank? The red carpet, please.

-- The nation's No. 1 run defense, allowing 40.6 rushing yards per game.

-- The No. 1 scoring defense, allowing 4.6 points per game.

-- The No. 4 sack defense, averaging four per game.

-- The No. 1 team in tackles for loss, averaging 11.3.

"They have a lot of talent and depth," said Harris, who was sacked three times and threw for just 150 yards in the rain in Blacksburg, Va., last Saturday. (Shannon counted eight drops, seven of which would have been for first downs or touchdowns).

"It's probably going to be one of the hardest defenses we face this year."