Sun Bowl 2010: 10 Things To Know About Notre Dame vs. Miami
The college football regular season is over and it is time to get into the wonderful time of year that comes with the Holidays, the Bowl Season. It's like every football fan's Christmas gift.
The Bowl season brings us all the opportunity to see match-ups that we only dream about in the months of July and August. It is a chance for a team to show it has a loyal fan base and for the school to round up its alumni from around the country.
This season we are delighted to have some great match-ups.
Here are 10 things that you need to know about the Sun Bowl!
The Rivalry
1 of 10
The Notre Dame vs Miami rivalry was one of the most ferocious in the late 1980s and early 1990s that started with a brutal score-padding victory by Miami in 1985, when the Hurricanes won 58-7.
The rivalry really started to get fierce in 1988 when both teams were title contenders coming into the end of the season match-up.
This rivalry which had national championship implications happened three times and was known as the Catholics vs. the Convicts.
As said before, this rivalry was very brutal and was hard-fought every single season.
Notre Dame holds the all-time series record at 15-7-1. The two will meet up for the first time in 20 years with these two rivals looking to extend their number of wins in the series.
Notre Dame's Record
2 of 10
Notre Dame comes into the Sun Bowl with a record of 7-5 this season.
They had key victories against No. 14 Utah and USC. They also had a tough loss against Michigan State, when the Spartans faked a field goal to win the game in overtime.
Miami's Record
3 of 10
The Hurricanes come in to the Sun Bowl with a record of 7-5, 5-3 in the ACC. Although finishing second in the ACC Coastal division, Miami started off the season with a preseason ranking of No. 13 in the country.
The Hurricanes were not able to win a big game in a season which included losses to Ohio State, Virginia Tech and Florida State.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Jacory Harris Should Be Able to Play
4 of 10
This is a question that needs to be answered and has yet to be. Miami started the season with Heisman hopeful Jacory Harris until an injury took him out of commission in Week 8.
Through his first eight games played Harris compiled 1,756 yards and 14 touchdowns.
In the Miami loss against South Florida, Harris was 12-of-18 for 110 yards. If Harris is able to play the whole game, it will be very beneficial to the Hurricanes.
Notre Dame's Rush Defense Isn't Stellar
5 of 10
Notre Dame's rush defense has been a weak spot for the Irish in 2010. In an average game, the Fighting Irish give up 143 yards on the ground, putting them at 54th in the country at this stat.
It will be crucial for the defense to step up and stop the run. Miami's rushing attack is pretty darn good, but more on that later.
Miami Likes to Run
6 of 10
Although the Hurricanes will be tempted to throw the ball more with the expected return of Jacory Harris, the Canes have gotten to where they are this season by keeping the ball on the ground.
They average 190 yards per game on the ground and are ranked 26th in the nation in this category. It is essential that the Canes keep the ball on the ground.
They are led by Damien Berry and Lamar Miller who have combined for 1,498 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year. It's essential these two get going for the Canes to be successful.
Notre Dame Passes...A Lot
7 of 10
Notre Dame has had a crazy season at quarterback. They started with junior Dayne Crist, who ended up getting injured. Now they must rely on Tommy Rees.
The Irish are averaging 257 yards this season through the air. They pretty much depend on this attack to get them victories and the game against Miami will be no different.
If they expect to be successful, they will need to do it through the air.
Miami Has a New Coach
8 of 10
After the disappointing 7-5 season, the Miami Hurricanes fired their coach, Randy Shannon. They got rid of him because he just didn't have what it took to motivate the talent he had on his team.
He really cleaned up the Miami program, but didn't win, I guess to the school, winning is more important than character.
Notre Dame Hasn't Won a Bowl Since 2008
9 of 10
Notre Dame hasn't been to a bowl since they played in the Hawaii Bowl where they gave Hawaii a licking.
Will coach Brian Kelly be able to lead the Irish to their first bowl victory since that day, and really show the direction the program is going in?
With The Future Uncertain, Jeff Stoutland Has Nothing to Lose
10 of 10
Jeff Stoutland is the interim coach for the Miami Hurricanes. He has nothing to lose as he does not know his fate yet.
He will have the Miami players fired up to play as they do not even know their own fate as they don't know who will be coaching them next season.
It will be up to the seniors of the Hurricanes to win this game and get the younger players ready.
Expect Miami to play this game like it is their last, as it might be.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
