Hurricane Crossroads

Thursday night college football is a crossroads for both the University of Pittsburgh and the U. It's a much greater crossroads for the U. After all the University of Miami has a very rich recent history of winning national championships. On the big stage two weeks ago to prove they were back the Hurricanes were led by or not led by quarterback Jacory Harris who was victimized by 4 interceptions from the Buckeye defense. Many viewers of the game would argue that his receivers failed him and in reality they might not have looked back at the right time for the ball but as the field general Harris has to make sure his players are on the right page with him in the huddle. With all the headlines comes all the criticism.

If Miami is going to be considered an elite team they must go into Heinz Field tonight and defeat the Pitt Panthers. This will be no easy task. Pitt has a strong rushing attack led by All-American Deon Lewis, a strong defense, and tough home field advantage. Plus you throw in Thursday night prime time nationally televised game the Panthers and their crowd will be so up for this game. Meanwhile the Canes are considered the better team tonight by oddsmakers who have penciled them in as early 3.5 point favorites although the line has dropped to under a field goal. This means the Canes are the glory team. The Canes have the burners on offense, the big play guys on special teams and the defenders with panther like closing speed ready to pounce on their prey. So the pressure is on Jacory Harris, Randy Shannon, and the entire Hurricane squad. It's either perform tonight come up with a big win, arguably the biggest win for Randy Shannon in his short career as head coach or fall to the depths of under .500 and out of the top 25.

If Miami is going to win this game they must stop Deon Lewis. If the Cane defense can stymie Lewis. No easy task as he will be the best runner the Canes have faced all season including the #2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes who always have a rushing attack but without the talent of a Deon Lewis. The Canes also need to establish their own rushing attack. In their last game running back Damien Berry looked strong at times against Ohio State rushing for 94 yards on only 16 attempts at nearly 6 yards a clip. Berry will be needed to control the game as depending on Harris and the passing game is not wise considering 4 interceptions and numerous dropped passes from his very talented receivers. Miami cannot afford more turnovers on the road if they are going to win this big game.

If the Hurricanes are going to make amends for their performance at Ohio State it starts tonight. The Hurricanes will be nothing more than an afterthought with a loss tonight at Heinz Field and guys like Jacory Harris who appeared so promising last year with big games only to be throttled on the big stage will not be part of a rich and illustrious legacy in South Florida for which is coach Randy Shannon is a frustrated but highly decorated member in Cane history with two national titles. This game is about what Miami can do. If they cannot it could be Pitt that is the team on the rise.