BYU vs. Memphis: 2014 Miami Beach Bowl Schedule and Players to Watch
Both the BYU Cougars and Memphis Tigers are riding waves of momentum entering the Miami Beach Bowl. Memphis finished off its regular season with a 41-10 drubbing of Connecticut to claim the AAC title, and BYU emerged victorious over California by a score of 42-35, denying the Golden Bears bowl eligibility.
While each of these teams has found success this year, they've been winning games in entirely different fashions. The Tigers boast a stellar defense, ranking fifth in the nation and allowing just 17.1 points per game. This unit hasn't allowed more than 20 points to an opponent in its last six contests. Although, it will be tested by quarterback Christian Stewart and the Cougars' 20th-ranked scoring offense.
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Stewart and Co. have scored at least 42 points in each of their last three games. Will that trend continue against a Memphis defense that has only allowed a total of 37 points over its last three contests? To ensure you get to watch that question answered with your own eyes, here's a look at the full schedule for the Miami Beach Bowl, followed by key players to watch for both teams.
Viewing Information
When: Monday, December 22
Where: Marlins Park in Miami, Florida
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Betting Info (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 56.5
- Spread: Memphis -2
Players to Watch
Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis
This sophomore signal-caller hasn't exactly been lighting up scoreboards this season, but he's been efficient for the Tigers, completing 64.0 percent of his passes for 2,725 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. His confidence should be high coming off a career-high four-touchdown performance against a good Connecticut secondary that ranks 38th in the nation against the pass.
Greg Wrubell of BYUCougars.com tweeted Lynch's impressive ongoing streak:
Lynch will get a chance to produce another big showing in the Miami Beach Bowl against a BYU pass defense ranked 110th in the nation, allowing an average of 266.7 passing yards per game and giving up a total of 21 touchdowns through the air this season.
A sneaky dual-threat quarterback, Lynch isn't afraid to scramble when necessary—especially in the red zone. He's carried 100 times for 283 yards and 10 touchdowns—a team high—through 12 games. Failing to contain this signal-caller could lead to a long day for BYU's defense.
Tank Jakes, LB, Memphis
Jakes is one of the biggest reasons for Memphis' prowess on the defensive side of the ball. The linebacker leads the team with 85 total tackles this season, a full 39 more than Memphis' next leading tackler. Although, that's not his only team-leading statistic. He's also first in tackles for a loss with 15.5 and sacks with six, according to CFBStats.com.
So, what is the end result of Jakes' dominance? Memphis ranks 24th in the nation against the run, 49th against the pass, 22nd in total defense, fifth in scoring defense, 45th in total sacks and 16th in takeaways. It's easy to see why this team only allowed 24 points or more just three times this season.
Wrubell tweeted his thoughts on the electrifying linebacker:
No stranger to disrupting an opposing offense's backfield, expect to see Jakes knifing his way through a BYU offensive line that ranks 104th in the nation, allowing 34 sacks on the year. With 19 total tackles over his last two games, Jakes continues to play well, and we'll be hearing his name called often on Monday.
Christian Stewart, QB, BYU
The Cougars' senior signal-caller has been solid since taking over for Taysom Hill following his season-ending leg injury. Stewart has a 4-4 record, but he's completed 58.7 percent of his passes for 2,273 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions in those eight games. Three of those picks were thrown his rocky first appearance against Utah State, and he rebounded nicely, throwing just three over his next seven games.
That kind of efficiency will go a long way against a Memphis defense that has accumulated 27 takeaways—14 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries—in 12 games. Stewart is coming off his best game of the season, throwing for 433 yards and five touchdowns against California; however, the Golden Bears are ranked 125th in the nation against the pass.
The quarterback is certainly confident going forward, according to an interview with Jarom Jordan of BYU Sports Nation:
Stewart can't expect Memphis' 49th-ranked unit to be so lenient, but he does have some talented wide receivers at his disposal. Both Mitch Mathews and Jordan Leslie have been stellar this season, combining for 118 receptions for 1,596 yards and 13 touchdowns. Their big-play ability will be exactly what this team needs against Memphis' second-ranked red-zone defense.
Paul Lasike, RB, BYU
Stewart won't be able to move the ball on Memphis without establishing the run. Maintaining a well-balanced offense will be a key to the Cougars' success in the Miami Beach Bowl, and that will start by getting Lasike involved early and often.
With starter Jamaal Williams out for the season with a knee injury, the Cougars need Lasike to step up in a big way during this pivotal game. He played well against California, rushing 12 times for 63 yards and a score, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.
The ball-carrier spoke of his mentality entering the impending game during an interview with Jordan:
Adding to Lasike's effectiveness out of the backfield is his ability to act as a receiver, accumulating 24 receptions for 248 yards and two touchdowns this year. BYU may not see many big-play opportunities against Memphis, so grinding away with Lasike in an effort to wear the Tigers down will be essential.
All team statistics and rankings courtesy of NCAA.com unless noted otherwise and current as of December 21.
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