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College Football: 5 takeaways from April 14 spring games

By Justin Dottavio

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes stands on the sideline during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes stands on the sideline during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

5. Hurricanes weren’t televised, Seminoles were

One huge takeaway from the weekend was that the Miami Hurricanes weren’t televised. Competing for the eyes of recruits across the country Miami was unable to find or accept television coverage. The cross-state rival Florida State Seminoles were able to land a TV deal and appeared at exactly the same time, 6 p.m. ET, on the ACC Network. It was Willie Taggart’s debut and James Blackman‘s chance to cement himself as the starter.

Deondre Francois is going to have an uphill battle to unseat James Blackman. While Francois has the stockier frame that could handle the running asked for in Taggart’s offense, Blackman looked comfortable in the FSU offense and finished 16-of-32 passing for 259 yards and a touchdown with only one scholarship wide receiver on his team. Blackman has the stature at 6-foot-5 and once he adds weight will look and play a lot like Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert who is a clearcut NFL prospect out in Eugene.

Running backs Jacques Patrick and Cam Akers will be joined in the back field by Khalan Laborn who redshirted in 2017. Laborn, a former five-star prospect, broke off a 91-yard touchdown run against a formidable ‘Noles defense. Taggart’s latest dream job has a loaded backfield and will be ready to challenge Clemson by 2019.

Down in Miami, I can only report what the different outlets had to say about the game as it wasn’t televised. Rosier flashed his arm strength mixed with inaccuracy and N’Kosi Perry started off 0-for-5 passing before calming down later in the game. The defensive line dominated the offense with nine sacks, three from true freshman Gregory Rousseau.

I’m really surprised by the decision to not televise as it was a clear chance to show fans in tank tops enjoying a beautiful Hard Rock experience in the Miami sunshine versus the miserable weather in Norman, Okla., and Columbus, Ohio, but the powers that be have constantly made Miami seem “minor league” compared to the other national powers.

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