Miami vs. South Carolina: Complete Independence Bowl Preview
The Miami Hurricanes and South Carolina Gamecocks will meet in Shreveport, Louisiana, for the Duck Commander Independence Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 27.
Miami (6-6, 3-5 ACC) finished its season on a three-game losing streak and is looking to end a four-bowl, eight-year losing streak in the postseason.
South Carolina (6-6, 3-5 SEC) battled through a disappointing year in the lackluster SEC East Division, dropping six contests for the first time since 2009.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Neither team is favored according to Odds Shark, though the Hurricanes have a slight edge at other books.
Tale of the Tape
1 of 7Both offenses are high-powered units, but which defense holds a statistical advantage?
Be sure to click "SWAP" to compare South Carolina's offense against the Miami defense.
Miami's Keys to Victory
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Touchdowns, Touchdowns, Touchdowns
South Carolina is capable of destroying the scoreboard, so the Miami offense must consistently get seven points—especially when a drive reaches the 20-yard line.
However, the 'Canes managed just 22 touchdowns in 43 red-zone opportunities, a porous 51.2 percent. Miami was held to 11 field goals and committed a handful of turnovers, too.
Field goals are better than coming up empty, but the three-pointers will basically feel like a loss in a contest expected to be a defensive struggle.
Remember How to Play Defense
Unless the Hurricanes remember what made them so great against Virginia Tech (30-6) and North Carolina (47-20), the Independence Bowl will be a shootout.
Following a solid showing opposite Florida State, the defense lost its energy and effectively laid down during the final two games of the season. Both Virginia and Pitt shredded Miami on the ground, keeping the ball out of their respective quarterbacks' hands.
However, should the 'Canes defense even return to Florida State levels, the unit will actually get off the field, providing the offense more opportunities to score. And considering recent performances, it might be up to Brad Kaaya and Co. to win.
South Carolina's Keys to Victory
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Stay Balanced
Dylan Thompson led the SEC with 3,280 yards through the air, but South Carolina simply needs the senior quarterback to be a distributor—a so-called game manager.
Every team that defeated "The U" this season relied on its running game first, utilizing the passing attack as a complement. Between Mike Davis and Brandon Wilds behind Thompson, the Gamecocks can rotate a fresh running back into the game and tire the Hurricanes' front seven.
Then, once the defense is sufficiently fatigued, Thompson can more easily manipulate the unoccupied zones with his eyes and arm.
Contain Duke and Dorsett
Miami knows Duke Johnson needs the ball. South Carolina knows it, too, but can Spurrier’s team stop him?
The Gamecocks have struggled to contain the running game all season, surrendering the 19th-most rushing yards per game in the nation.
Johnson has tallied at least 88 yards in every game, with six 100-yard outbursts and a high of 249. The junior will almost assuredly eclipse the 100-yard barrier—as will speedy receiver Phillip Dorsett—but the key is limiting their explosive gains.
If South Carolina can keep the tandem out of the end zone, the Hurricanes will be forced to find other finishers—something they haven’t had this year.
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Miami Players to Watch
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Standish Dobard, Tight End
Per Matt Porter of the Palm Beach Post, the 'Canes will be without leading target Clive Walford during the bowl game. Consequently, Standish Dobard is expected to fill the starting role.
Dobard caught just six passes this season, though he must immediately replace Kaaya's favorite target. While the sophomore tight end has flashed the ability to make a difference between the hashes and off play action, his overall talent—blocking, receiving and conditioning—will be tested.
Miami hasn't been forced to use Dobard extensively, but it will get an early look at its anticipated starter for 2015.
Denzel Perryman, Linebacker
It's become routine at this point: death, taxes and Denzel Perryman. The Hurricanes don't really have a defensive star, though the middle linebacker reserves that title by default.
Against Virginia, Perryman tied a career high with 15 tackles during a game in which Miami's defense put up little fight. It wasn't necessarily because the senior proved to be a menace, as he spent the night chasing Cavaliers to the sideline.
Perhaps Deon Bush or Jermaine Grace will step up in the 2014 finale, but Perryman—who led the 'Canes with 102 total stops—is the safest bet of any Miami defender to have a noteworthy showing.
South Carolina Players to Watch
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Pharoh Cooper, Wide Reciever
The Gamecocks absolutely must find ways to keep Pharoh Cooper, their multi-tool weapon, involved throughout the matchup.
Though his primary duty is to catch passes, the sophomore receiver is likely to appear in the backfield as part of gadget formations. This is the final game of the year; Spurrier will probably unleash the whole playbook.
Cooper attempted a pass in each of South Carolina's last five games and logged at least one carry in 10 of 12 season outings.
Skai Moore, Linebacker
"I grew up a 'Canes fan my whole life. That was my dream school," Gamecocks linebacker Skai Moore said in mid-August, according to ESPN's Chris Low.
Miami lagged behind others on the recruiting trail, however, and its loss is clearly South Carolina's gain. Despite missing one outing, the sophomore racked up a team-leading 82 tackles and intercepted three passes.
Moore will be tasked with stopping Duke from breaking into the second level, and he'll have some extra motivation behind every tackle.
What They're Saying
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Miami
According to Christy Cabrera Chirinos of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami players are "fired up" for the ACC-SEC battle, including Dobard.
"We're really happy we're playing an SEC opponent," Dobard said. "Everybody says SEC is the best conference. Every chance we get to play an SEC team we'll take it. We're real happy with this bowl."
South Carolina
Per Willie T. Smith III of the Greenville News, Spurrier hinted changes are coming to the South Carolina staff, but that won't take place until the Independence Bowl concludes.
"We are trying to get through this bowl game and trying to win us a bowl game and try to get to 7-6. However, we feel like we need to try to get better after that. We will look around and see whatever we need to do."
Prediction
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Both teams enter the Independence Bowl ready to score, and score they will do. If you enjoy old-time, hard-nosed defensive football, this isn't the game for you.
Johnson races to 175 yards and two touchdowns, while Kaaya and Dorsett connect for a 60-yard touchdown. Dobard reels in three passes, supplying a decent but not outstanding replacement for Walford.
But Duke's strong effort in what is likely his final collegiate game isn't enough for the 'Canes. Thompson completes 70 percent of his attempts, but Davis, Wilds and Cooper propel South Carolina to victory with a combined 310 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns.
Prediction: South Carolina 37, Miami 33
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