Hurricanes-Badgers: A Preview of Miami's Champs Sports Bowl Game Vs. Wisconsin

The Champs Sports Bowl is only a few hours away, and it's time to give a down-to-the-wire preview of the game. 

You should already know the specifics about the No. 14 Miami Hurricanes from the ACC against No. 24 Wisconsin from the Big Ten. 

This is actually a classic matchup of the speed and finesse team against the big and powerful team. Miami does have its moments where they play physical football, but they are mainly a team that throws the ball around and relies on their speed to beat teams.

I have been following Miami Hurricanes football for a long time, and the team this year I would compare to a fickle girlfriend who never knows what she wants until the last minute. 

That has been the personality of this team. When Miami comes out, blows teams off the ball, and runs it with authority to set up their deep passing game, they can move the ball easily on just about any team in the country. 

But there are days where they show up and every play is seemingly a 40-yard pass down field, in an attempt to win the game in one play. They have been at their best when they methodically drive the ball down field and take their shots at big plays in optimal situations—that is what they are going to have to do against Wisconsin if they want to be successful. 

If you look at games like Wake Forest, Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech the team struggled at some point in all those games and they kept Duke in the game for much longer than they needed to be. They can’t have that tonight against the Badgers, they have to come out and take control early.

The Hurricanes' offensive line is suffering from key injuries, and Wisconsin has a good pass rusher in O’Brien Schofield.

Orlando Franklin will be given the task of blocking him with Jason Fox out. Franklin did a great job against South Florida All-American defensive end George Selvie, but Schofield has a bit more size and power than Selvie, so that’s a battle to watch closely. 

On defense Miami gets virtually no pass rush which leaves their corners too vulnerable. Occasionally Allen Bailey will show signs of being unblockable but those only come in flurries it seems. 

Miami won’t have to worry as much about the pass—they have to stop the run, and shut down Wisconsin’s 247-pound running back John Clay. 

The Hurricanes' defense has proven they can stop the run when they want to (see the Georgia Tech game) but they haven’t faced a power running game like this one all season.

For Wisconsin it’s a fairly simple formula—they will have to show they can pass on Miami’s highly ranked secondary.

It doesn’t have to be much, they just need to do enough to make Miami put more people in coverage and respect the threat of the pass. If they do, this will open up things for Clay to run against the smaller Miami defensive line and linebackers.

Remember the Hurricanes typically recruit smaller, faster linebackers to fit their scheme so if Clay can get into the secondary he may be in for a big day. 

Wisconsin has the 71st ranked pass offense in the nation, so they are going to have to get out of their element and open up the passing game if they want to give Clay enough running room to make a difference.

If Jacory Harris comes out throwing interceptions, and Miami’s defense does not clamp down on the run early and force Wisconsin to pass the ball, they are not going to win this football game. 

We have seen this game already when Florida State played Wisconsin in this same game last year and routed them 42-13.

It’s ironic that Florida State should be in this game again this year but because of Bowden they were chosen over Miami to play in the Gator Bowl. 

In that game Wisconsin could not contend with Florida State’s speed and they were trailing the Seminoles quickly, which took them out of their comfort zone which is ball control and a power running game. 

Miami needs to take that blueprint and use it to pummel Wisconsin tonight, there are no excuses for Miami to lose this game they have the better team and more talent man for man.

My Prediction: Miami 34 Wisconsin 21