Steve Kim: Sooner or Later, It's a Big Game for Shannon and Co.

Published Sep 4, 2007

Sooner or Later, It's a Big Game for Shannon and Co.

The Randy Shannon era got off to a good start this past weekend at the Orange Bowl with a 31-3 win over the Thundering Herd of Marshall. As expected, the defense was stout, the dynamic duo of Javarris James
and Graig Cooper was as good as advertised and the offensive line played strongly upfront. Shannon 's debut as the sideline leader for his alma mater was surprisingly smooth. His squad looked well-prepared and his management of the game was outstanding.

However, there was one glaring negative: Kirby Freeman, who beat out incumbent Kyle Wright for the staring quarterback job had a stat line of 9-21, 86 yards with a touchdown and interception. Yeah, yeah, I know stats don't always tell the story. Yes, the running game was dominant and Freeman just did what he had to. But c'mon, folks. 86 yards through the air against a mediocre Marshall team? There was a time when UM would put those numbers up in three drives.

Now you hear the usual euphemisms like, 'Well, he managed the game,' and, 'we kept it vanilla.' OK, but
here's the thing: 'managing the game' can be another way of just getting the hell out of the way and handing off all the time, which is essentially what Freeman did on this hot afternoon. Of the 337 total
yards that were gained by Miami, 201 came from James and Cooper on the ground.

Take away two turnovers caused by the Hurricane defense, and it's a 3-0 game at the half.

As for 'keeping it vanilla,' this has been repeated ad nauseum regarding the Canes since the previous
administration coached the Miami offense into the ground. You would believe this Baskin-Robbins argument if Miami hadn't been so putrid in recent years against even the most vulnerable of defenses. It's my belief that much of the Miami fanbase has been conditioned to see their team struggle against any unit under Coker, that whenever UM would struggle, that cliché would be trotted out so much to a point that it became gospel. It became an expected party line.

Well, let's keep it real. Other programs across the country scale back their offenses, too, but when they
face overmatched foes, they actually put up the expected numbers and produce. I'm beginning to think
Miami has been saving their whole offensive package since about 2003.

This is no condemnation of new offensive coordinator Patrick Nix. Let's face it: he didn't exactly inherit
Steve Walsh and 'The Bomb Squad.' What Miami currently has is two flawed quarterbacks and a shaky receiving unit. This offense will go as far as the legs of James and Cooper will take it. Nix has got to work with the cards he's been dealt. And all he's really got is a pair of aces in the backfield.

Now this Miami unit goes into Norman, Oklahoma to face a Sooner squad that blew out an overmatched North Texas squad. This by far will be the sternest test to date for Freeman under center. While he's gone on the road and started against the likes of Maryland and Virginia, going to historic Owen Field is a much
different animal.

Sam Bradford is an inexperienced signalcaller, but he will be steadied by the return of running back Allen
Patrick, who did a sterling job last season of replacing the injured Adrian Peterson. In addition to that, Bradford has a luxury that Freeman does not have: a legitimate number one receiver, Malcolm Kelly,
in addition to the dependable Joaquin Iglesias. And Bradford will be protected by a stout offensive line
of his own.

Defensively, the Sooners took some losses upfront but they have ballhawks in cornerback Marcus Walker and All-American Reggie Smith.

In other words, 9-21 for 86 yards isn't going to cut it. You hope Miami brings more flavors than vanilla this
weekend.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

- Don't take what I wrote above as being critical of Shannon . I think he's done an outstanding job as the CEO of this program. I just think changing the culture that existed with Larry Coker and upgrading the talent to its previous level will take some time. So far, it seems as though Shannon is doing that at a rapid pace.

Seriously, doesn't it just look like a team that is being coached much better than before?

- By the way, I'm just wondering…if Kyle Wright had put up those above-mentioned numbers, how would those who are lauding Freeman's performance react? I have a feeling their perceptions would be different.

- The struggles of Charlie Weis and Notre Dame show once again that offensive gurus are really only as
good as their quarterbacks. Weis didn't suddenly get any dumber or forget how to scheme and game plan. But it's much easier when you have a Tom Brady or Brady Quinn.

His selection of Demetrius Jones was puzzling. Simply put, he isn't a pro-style quarterback. Seeing them
actually run the option with him had me thinking Lou Holtz was back on the Irish sideline. It's clear that Evan Sharpley and Jimmy Clausen are much more suited to Weis' system.

- Call me crazy, but I think UCLA's defense, led by coordinator DeWayne Walker will be one of the best in
the country by year's end. They gave up too many big plays for their liking versus Stanford, but end Bruce
Davis and safety Chris Horton are All-American caliber performers. And sophomore linebacker Reggie Carter is one of the best young players in the country.

If quarterback Ben Olson - who tossed five TD's in the season opener - can continue his development, UCLA will be a tough out for anyone they face.

- I'll say it right now, LSU hammers Virginia Tech. Simply put, Sean Glennon is a sitting target for Glen
Dorsey and Co. And quick, name the last elite team that the Hokies beat on the road.

And no, last year's win in Miami does not count.

- Was there any truth to the rumor that not only were 'For Sale' signs planted on Lloyd Carr's front lawn,
but U-Hauls were driven up to his driveway?

With Michigan 's stunning loss to Appalachian State, Carr has officially entered Coker-hood.

- I have a feeling the race for the ACC Offensive Player of the Year will be a three horse race between
Clemson's James Davis, Georgia Tech's Tashard Choice and BC's Matt Ryan.

- Is DeSean Jackson of Cal every bit the punt returner that Devin Hester was/is?

Just sayin'.

Steve Kim is a frequent contributor on CanesOverHere.com and runs his own website, Maxboxing.com. He can be reached at k9kim@yahoo.com

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