| Penn State vs. Miami (Fla.), Saturday, Sept. 18, at Miami,
Fla.
This game will help us determine whether either one of these teams is a legitimate
national-championship candidate. Penn State has the best linebacker and defensive lineman
in college football, and to date the Nittany Lions’ offense has been very impressive.
Miami may have the best receivers in college football, and the Hurricanes have a great
running back. Plus, I doubt any team in the country can match Miami’s overall speed
at the offensive skill positions. The key to this game is going to be the quarterbacks.
When Miami’s Kenny Kelly makes good decisions and throws the ball well, the
Hurricanes’ offense is awesome. For Penn State, Kevin Thompson and Rashard Casey, who
generally rotate at quarterback, hold the key. This game will be played in Miami, and a
hot, muggy day would benefit the Hurricanes.
Quarterbacks — Kelly is a great athlete who can really throw the
ball and gives the ’Canes a run-throw-scramble-improvise option, but at times his
decisions and marksmanship leave something to be desired. Thompson is a big, strong,
drop-back passer with limited mobility who, at least early this season, is making better
decisions and throws. Casey is a running quarterback who has improved his passing skills. Edge:
Miami.
Running backs — Miami’s James Jackson is an outstanding back
with size and speed who can break the long run. He may be almost as good as former
Hurricane Edgerrin James, the Colts’ first-round pick. Penn State has a group of
good-to-excellent backs, led by sophomore Eric McCoo. Edge: Even.
Receivers — Miami has the best tight end in the country in big
Daniel Franks, who was the unsung hero of the Kickoff Classic win over Ohio State. Franks
is one of the few tight ends who can do everything scouts want a tight end to do. Outside,
Santana Moss is extremely fast, and Reggie Wayne is the most skillful receiver the
’Canes have had in a long time. Miami’s second-string receivers are good enough
to start and fast enough to break games open. For Penn State, Chafie Fields has emerged as
a big-play man who is also very dangerous running with the ball. Edge: Miami.
Offensive linemen — Penn State has a tough, veteran offensive
line, but the Hurricanes could expose its athletic limitations with their speedy defense.
On the line, Miami has two exceptional college-football players (Canadian OG Richard
Mercier and C Ty Wise) and a future stud in OLT Joaquin Gonzalez. Edge: Miami.
Defensive linemen — There is not a more talented defensive end in
the country than Penn State’s Courtney Brown, but at times he plays too nice. If the
eats his mean pills, he could be awesome. The Hurricanes still don’t have the great
speed rushers off the edge they had in their best years, but they are getting better. DT
Damione Lewis is capable of dominating. Edge: Even.
Linebackers — Speaking of dominating, it seems that is what Penn
State’s LaVar Arrington is. While he likes to freelance, he is the most gifted
outside ’backer to come along since Cornelius Bennett and has rare qualities. Nittany
Lions MLB Brandon Short is also an All-America candidate. Miami is very good in this area
as well, with Nate Webster in the middle and Dan Morgan outside. Morgan has exceptional
speed, while Webster is an undersized playmaker. Edge: Penn State.
Defensive backs — Miami may be able to exploit Penn State’s
lack of height in the secondary, since both of the Lions’ starting corners are
5-foot-9 or shorter. But one of those corners, David Macklin, is an all-star type player.
Miami’s secondary is much better than in ’98 but still has too many breakdowns. Edge:
Penn State.
Special teams — Penn State has an adequate kicking game.
Miami’s Andy Crosland is not quite what scouts are looking for as either a punter or
a placekicker. He had some bad kicks in the Kickoff Classic and can be streaky. However,
Miami’s return men are all home-run threats. Both teams can and will block kicks. Edge:
Even.DICTION:
Prediction — Miami 24, Penn State 23
PREDICTION:
To Tennessee at Florida preview |
