ESPN College Football

According to ESPN's Stats & Information crew, Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones' interceptions have contributed to the Sooners' well-documented struggles on the road.

Jones has thrown 15 of his 26 interceptions on the road, and he'll face a very stingy Florida State defense with the home-field advantage on Saturday. This is a much better defense than the one that faced Oklahoma last year, but the first two wins have come against inferior opponents.

Once again, the unofficial Stoops Bowl will determine the outcome of this game, as FSU defensive coordinator Mark Stoops matches wits with his brother, Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops.

If Florida State is going to win this game, it's fair to say the defense will have to play the larger role in getting it done.

Saturday’s game between Florida State and Oklahoma will feature two programs stacked with history and tradition -- a combined nine national titles, 82 bowl appearances, and 54 conference titles. When it comes to the current college football landscape, though, there is a significant gap between them. The Sooners are just two seasons removed from their runner-up finish for the national title while Florida State enters this game under first-year coach Jimbo Fisher looking to regain national relevance. Can the Seminoles pull the upset? ACC blogger Heather Dinich and Big 12 blogger David Ubben break it down:

Heather Dinich: Well, Ubben, it’s time for the unofficial Stoops Bowl, which to me is the key matchup in this game -- Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops against his little bro and first-year FSU defensive coordinator Mark Stoops. If Florida State is going to have any chance at the upset, the Seminoles’ defense has to stop DeMarco Murray first, but a young secondary that includes three starters will have to grow up quickly and adjust to Stoops’ new zone scheme, which requires discipline and communication. How do you see Oklahoma’s offense faring against a defense that was downright bad a year ago, but starting to make some progress?

David Ubben: Oklahoma definitely has the skill-position talent to give the Noles trouble, and based on Saturday's game, you're right, the offense will run through Murray, who got a career-high 35 carries against Utah State. But if Oklahoma sees a big weakness in that secondary it can exploit, look for some of those touches to go Ryan Broyles' way. There might not be a tougher guy to get a hand on in the open field in all of college football. They might use a lot of slants and bubble screens just to get the ball in his hands and dare Florida State to tackle him.

On the other side, there's been a lot of talk about how Christian Ponder's offensive line makes life easy for their Heisman candidate. How will they fare against a pair of the best defensive ends just about anywhere, Jeremy Beal and Frank Alexander, and defensive coordinator Brent Venables' blitz packages intent on putting Ponder on his back as much possible?

HD: That’s where I see the Noles having their biggest advantage, my friend. Florida State’s offensive line will get the edge, particularly in the running game against those inexperienced defensive tackles. That can also affect the pass rush, but Ponder is poised enough to sense pressure coming off the edge while keeping his eyes downfield. Senior guard Rodney Hudson and senior center Ryan McMahon are in their fourth seasons as starters, and collectively, all five starters return a combined 147 career starts. I see all of that adding up to a balanced offense for the Noles, with the Sooners biting on the play-action pass. Besides, Oklahoma’s pass defense is rather friendly. Just ask Utah State, which racked up 341 passing yards.

DU: Maybe so, and they'll be tested for sure, but Bob Stoops has faith in the plays he's seen Demontre Hurst and Jamell Fleming make when they played last season and what he saw in them through spring and fall practice. I get the sense that this will be somewhat of a high-scoring affair. Oklahoma looked invincible at home last season and has only lost twice at Owen Field under Bob Stoops.

What makes you think Jimbo's boys have the chops to be the third?

HD: The intangibles. There’s a difference at Florida State this year under Fisher. Not only in optimism, but in preparation. The Seminoles will go in there focused and ready to take care of business undaunted by the nation’s longest home winning streak at 31 games. The leadership of Ponder will also be a factor, as he’s got the poise and the brains to keep the offense calm. And don’t forget about the third phase of the game -- special teams. The Sooners need to be ready for a home run threat in punt returner Greg Reid. Word of advice? Don’t kick it his way. I say all of those things will add up to an upset, but I’ll give you the final word.

DU: Greg Reid? You mean the poor man's Ryan Broyles? Oklahoma can match the Seminoles playmaker for playmaker, but this thing's going to come down to whichever team can stop the other. I'll take the Sooners' proven defense that slipped up for one week over Florida State's, which was in a free fall for all of last season. New corners? Sure, but two guys and some inexperienced defensive tackles aren't enough to make up for 15.5 points, the difference between what Oklahoma's defense allowed last season and what Florida State allowed.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

MIAMI -- With Sam Bradford on the sideline in a hat, T-shirt and shorts, Oklahoma doesn't exactly have the look of a team that finished runner-up for the national title a year ago. Yes, Oklahoma is very good, and Landry Jones is doing a respectable job in the injured Bradford's absence, but the No. 8 team in the nation also looks beatable -- especially if the Canes cut down their penalties and turnovers this half.

Oklahoma's defense has done a good job of pressuring Miami quarterback Jacory Harris, but it's not getting away with a shutout today. Jimmy Graham's touchdown reception were the first points the Sooners have allowed in nine quarters (since giving up the game-winning touchdown to BYU with 3:03 left in the season opener). Remember, BYU is the same team that got thumped by a struggling Florida State team this year. If you subscribe to that logic, Miami can keep this lead.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

MIAMI -- The Canes came out of the locker room playing inspired football. Brandon Harris forced a fumble when he sacked Landry Jones, Joe Joseph recovered it, and Miami had the ball on the Sooners' 11-yard line. The Canes scored one play later. Finally, there was a turnover that went in the Canes favor. It was important for Miami to come out fast, and for the first time tonight, the Canes have the lead.

In a game as low scoring like this, it will be those kinds of plays that make the difference -- just as Jacory Harris' interception did in the first half. In a low-scoring game, all it takes is a special teams miscue or one great play to change the game, and that's what Miami just did.

Just remember, Miami came out of the locker room fired up at Virginia Tech, too, and it didn't last long.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

MIAMI -- This is a chance for Miami to separate itself from the rest of the ACC against one of the nation's powerhouse teams. Instead, it's blending right in with the muddled mass of mediocrity.

I know, I know, it's only been one quarter, but there have been some big plays -- all in the Sooners' favor. Just when it looked like Miami could get some help with field position, Oklahoma running back Chris Brown took off 48 yards from the 1-yard line, and all of a sudden the Sooners are creeping up in the red zone again.

Landry Jones is treating his first collegiate road trip like a business meeting, and Miami apparently didn't get the memo.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

MIAMI -- I'm watching Miami warm-up right now, and the receivers catch the deep ball with such ease. That's one advantage Jacory Harris will have over Landry Jones in this game. However, it's going to get a lot tougher here in the next half hour when the Sooners are in Harris' facemask. Regardless of who the opponent was, Oklahoma's defense deserves credit for back-to-to-back shutout wins.

Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple had a rather extended conversation on the field earlier when the teams started to warm up. Would've loved to hear that conversation.

Miami has still not given me its official lineup changes, so I'll post those as soon as I get them.

If Miami wins this game, it will be the Canes' third win over a ranked opponent this season. That is worthy of a top 10 ranking. It would also be a big win for the conference considering how so many of the other teams struggled today. This is a chance for Miami to reassert itself as a frontrunner in the ACC.

The challenge for Miami's defense will be to contain running back DeMarco Murray. Jones isn't going to be asked to win this game by himself. Murray is the Sooners' top option on offense, and the Canes will have to do a better job on him than they did on Virginia Tech's Ryan Williams. The Canes' depleted secondary will key in on Ryan Broyles, who has been Jones' go-to receiver so far. He's already got 309 receiving yards and a team-high seven touchdowns.

Updates on the lineups to follow.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

MIAMI -- Hello from the baseball press box in Land Shark Stadium, where baseball season has ended and the infield is no longer visible. Word on the starting lineup will come later, but I'm told Randy Phillips is expected to dress, but not play.

Here's the early take on this game: It's going to come down to how Miami's offensive line fares against what could be one of the best defensive lines in the country. And if it plays the way it did against Virginia Tech last weekend, the Sooners will have the edge -- literally. The challenge will be to protect Miami quarterback Jacory Harris from defensive ends Jeremy Beal and Auston English.

I'm expecting a low-scoring game, but I think Harris will play better than he did last week against Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes' defense will have to rattle Landry Jones, and they're capable of doing that.

If Miami pulls off the win, it's a chance for the Canes to play their way back into the top 10. If Oklahoma wins, it keeps its hopes at the national championship alive. Neither team, though, can afford another loss and expect to stay in the BCS title race.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford will not play on Saturday against Miami, and the Canes will face freshman Landry Jones.

Jones has done his best to fill in for the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, but his lack of success on longer throws will really keep the explosive Oklahoma offense from performing like last season. Check out this comparison between Jones and Bradford, courtesy of ESPN's Stats & Information:

Jones vs Bradford: Throws of 10+ yards   Jones '09 Bradford '08 Comp-Att 10-26 92-174 Comp pct 38.5 52.9 Yds per Att 9.8 13.5 TD-INT 5-3 21-7

Jacory Harris, on the other hand, has proven capable of throwing the deep ball:

Jacory Harris: Throws 10 yards or more   First two games vs. VA Tech Comp-Att 18-25 6-18 Yds per Att 18.0 7.1 TD-Int 5-1 0-1