This week has been madness and I haven't been able to line up a player interview. I'm working day side on some video stuff, so I won't be posting a full entry today.
I do want to talk for a second about tonight's game, though. It's Miami's second game in three weeks against the Big 12 and we all know how the Canes fared the first time around. Tonight, hosting Texas A&M, Randy Shannon's bunch is favored by 3.
I have to go against the grain and take the Aggies there, for multiple reasons. First, Miami looked horrible against Oklahoma. The Sooners are fast proving they're the class of the Big XII, but I believed in Texas A&M before the season and I'm sticking to my guns. Second, aTm's rushing attack should wear down on that Miami defense, a unit that's not what it was the last two years (a top 10 unit). Third, guilty by association. I am not comfortable taking an ACC team against a bigger school from a BCS conference.
The Aggies are a perfect 20-for-20 inside the red zone this year and not surprisingly feature the No. 5 rushing attack in the country. Defense was a question coming into this year and remains one, but Miami's offense did not blow my hair back with Kyle Wright making his first start of the season against FIU last week (after Texas native Kirby Freeman was benched).
If Wright can craft an impressive outing, it will be his first step in salvaging his legacy at Miami that really has no shot at being good unless Miami wins the ACC this year (Wright came in as one of the most touted quarterbacks Miami has ever had). But he has a lot more to prove after tonight, assuming he does something. Again, Texas A&M isn't exactly stout in defending anyone.
If for nothing else, watch for these four guys: Calais Campbell (Miami defensive end), Kenny Phillips (Miami safety), Stephen McGee (A&M quarterback) and Jorvorskie Lane (A&M brusing back).
Texas A&M 26, Miami 20
I'll be back tomorrow with the rest.