Navy-OSU/GT-Miami and by extension USC

[gator]

Food for thought. After watching that GT vs Miami game tonight, I really have to wonder how good OSU and USC really are. Before the OSU-USC game, OSU was catching some slack about their performance against Navy. After what everyone pretty much acknowledged as a stellar defensive performance against USC, it's seems nobody is really thinking about what that Navy game may indicate.

Personally, I find it hard to believe that Navy's athletes are as good as GT's. I also think Paul Johnson has those guys coached up a bit better. That being said, Miami just pantsed GT down in Miami tonight - kind of what you would have expected OSU to do to Navy in the Shoe. I just find it interesting to consider - how fast is the "new" OSU D? You know what people always say about the option: it isn't run in the pros or in the big boy leagues because the defenses are just too fast. I think Miami proved that tonight, and I think LSU showed that last year in their bowl game against GT. So really, I have to ask - how good is the buckeye D this year, and how good is the USC offense?

P.S. At the beginnig of the season, I thought Miami probably would start the season 0-4 or 1-3. It's 2 games in and I think there is an actual chance these guys could go 4-0, playing all of those games against ranked teams. If, and that's still a big if, they beat Virginia Tech and Oklahoma in their next two games, how high should they be ranked? Personally, I would have to put them all the way up to #3. I always say that Miami is never more than 2 years from NC contention (just too many talented kids down there that dream of going to the U). I knew Shannon was bringing in the talent, but I've been surprised by his team's performances so far this year. They aren't great yet, but they are starting to believe. They have the potential to be a very dangerous team.

Thoughts??

[Wolvrin704]

I would have to agree with most of what you're saying, but that sure is a lot to chew on.

When I saw the score of the Miami/GT game the first thing I thought of as well was OSU/Navy. Unlike Navy though, GT was ranked and has better athletes using the same offense under the original coach who instilled it at Navy. As I heard it put recently.....the triple option is unique because no one runs it anymore but if it was that great everyone would be running it. The days of that offense were over 40 years ago.

Anyways, I'd like to see the OSU defense against some experienced opponents before saying yeah or nay. At this point the jury is largely out. Again, they may be good enough to carry their own against the B10 especially since their 3 toughest opponents aren't until the end of the season.

This much we know, against Navy they were out of position most of the time, they got burned deep several times and just were not inspirational.

Against USC they faced a very vanilla offense with a true freshman QB who got injured during the game. For most of the game they played inspired but burned out at the end of the game when it was all on the line. I don't think either team is as good as we all thought they were.

[amazinblue]

Gator,

Solid post. I agree - and, I believe I've posted something similar to your thought regarding how good OSU / USC really are. I don't think we saw enough on Saturday night - and, I do believe that if ND's going to beat USC anytime soon - it's going to be in October in South Bend.

Candidly, I wouldn't be surprised if Washington pulled the upset of the season against USC on Saturday.

Miami was impressive - surprisingly so - and, kudos to Randy Shannon for what they have accomplished. The next two weeks will tell a lot.