Ohio St vs Miami in "The Ineligibowl" - Can the Buckeyes beat the Hurricanes on the road?

In week three of the 2011 college football season, the Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Miami, FL to play the Miami Hurricanes. This game has been dubbed "The Ineligibowl" due to all the off the field controversies both teams have been involved in since last season and all the suspensions both have endured.


Considering Miami was missing several starter on defense, the Hurricanes looked descent in their heart-breaking loss against the Maryland Terrapins. Miami was in the lead with two minutes left in the game. Then, however, the Terrapins were able to drive the ball down and kick the go ahead field goal. After that, the Terrapins intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown to finish the Hurricanes off 32 to 24.

Conversely, the Buckeyes opened their season like they had all their starters playing in their 42-0 blowout of Akron. However, in week two, they struggled against Toledo and were barely able to pull off the win 27-22.

Stat Comparison of Both Teams
Miami Hurricanes Statistics through Week Two
Rushing Offense - ranked 46; 172.00 rushing yards per game
Passing Offense - ranked 83; 195.00 passing yards per game
Total Offense - ranked 80; 367.00 total yards per game
Scoring Offense - ranked 83; 24.00 points per game
Rushing Defense - ranked 77; 151.00 rushing yards given up per game
Pass Defense - ranked 116; 348.00 passing yards given up per game
Total Defense - ranked 113 ; 499.00 total yards given up per game
Scoring Defense - ranked 92; 32.00 points given up per game
Ohio State Buckeyes Statistics through Week Two
Rushing Offense - ranked 48; 168.00 rushing yards per game
Passing Offense - ranked 51; 241.00 passing yards per game
Total Offense - ranked 53; 409.00 total yards per game
Scoring Offense - ranked 51; 34.50 points per game
Rushing Defense - ranked 4; 40.50 rushing yards given up per game
Pass Defense - ranked 32; 173.50 passing yards given up per game
Total Defense - ranked 10; 214.00 total yards given up per game
Scoring Defense - ranked 16; 11.0 points given up per game
The statistical comparison between the two teams are severely skewed. Miami played conference foe in their first and only game, while Ohio State played far inferior teams in Akron and Toledo. What is more telling is the way the teams played in their first games. Miami looked as good as a team could with that many suspensions. Ohio State looked horrible in week two and nearly lost.

Miami returns five of their suspended players, including quarterback Jacory Harris. The Ohio State players involved with "tattoo-gate" are still suspended. This should be the difference in this game. Miami is favored by two, and I expect them to both win and cover the spread. Their defense will be much better with the returning starters in the game than they were against Maryland. » Ohio St vs Miami in "The Ineligibowl" - Can the Buckeyes beat the Hurricanes on the road?