2010 Sun Bowl: Notre Dame or Miami Hurricanes, Who Has Offensive Advantage?

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Miami Hurricanes are set to meet Friday, December 31st in the Hyundai Sun Bowl.

Both schools are in the midst of transition and aren't happy finishing with 7-5 records. The Hurricanes recently hired Al Golden to take over the head-coaching position, but he won't be roaming the sidelines during the Sun Bowl.

Instead offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland will remain the interim coach while Golden hits the recruiting trail.

Notre Dame finished the season on a strong note winning its final three games, although the early season struggles and blowout loss to Navy have kept this season from being termed successful.

In Brian Kelly's first season as the coach of the Fighting Irish he's had his ups and downs. A win over Miami would give Notre Dame much-needed momentum and excitement heading into next season.

Of course the Hurricanes need this win just as badly for the same reasons.

With that being said, it's time to look at who has the advantage offensively.

Quarterback

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Tommy Rees #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish throws a pass against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Both schools have suffered injuries at the quarterback position; the only difference is that the Hurricanes may be getting Jacory Harris back where as the Fighting Irish lost their starting QB Dayne Crist for the season.

Notre Dame will be sending out Tommy Rees to run the offense against Miami. Rees has been respectable behind center, but certainly not anything special.

On the Hurricanes side the situation is cloudy. Jacory Harris—who missed three games due to a concussion—replaced a struggling Stephen Morris in the team's last game, but threw a costly interception to end the game.

It's likely that the experienced Harris will get the nod and if so the advantage lies with the Hurricanes no matter how erratic Harris can be.

Rees doesn't have the experience that Harris does or the playmaking ability. If Morris ends up starting for the Hurricanes this is a virtual toss-up.

Wide Receiver

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MIAMI - NOVEMBER 20: Leonard Hankerson #85 of the Miami Hurricanes catches a touchdown over Davon Morgan #2 of the Virginia Tech Hokies at Sun Life Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Hurricanes wideout Leonard Hankerson is the only receiver from either team to have topped 1,000 yards receiving during the regular season. Against South Florida, Hankerson caught a season-high nine balls for 127 yards. Hankerson is in his senior year at Miami and is a big target at 6'3" for whoever is quarterbacking the Hurricanes.

Hankerson gives the Hurricanes a big-possession receiver whereas Travis Benjamin is a speed demon who stretches the field for Miami.

Michael Floyd is Notre Dame's top receiver as he leads the team in catches, yards and touchdowns. There is a big drop-off in production after Floyd and the Fighting Irish haven't found another receiver who can consistently produce.

The speed of Benjamin and size of Hankerson give Miami the advantage at the receiver position over the one-man show that Notre Dame has.

Running Back

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SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 13: Cierre Wood #20 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs past Chaz Walker #32 of the Utah Utes at Notre Dame Stadium on November 13, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Utah 28-3. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

This is another spot that Miami has an advantage over Notre Dame. The Hurricanes' second leading rusher Lamar Miller has over 100 yards more than any Fighting Irish back does. Even more impressive is that he's done so in four less carries than Cierre Wood, who leads the Irish in yards on the ground.

Damien Berry leads Miami in rushing yards with 865, although Miller has been the more productive back with his carries averaging 6.1 per attempt.

Add the Miami backfield as another area where the Hurricanes have an advantage over the Irish.

Tight End

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 04: Kyle Rudolph #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is tackled by Charlton Williams #15 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Purdue 23-12. (Photo by J

Kyle Rudolph finished the regular season with 28 receptions, 328 yards and three TDs. While those numbers aren't exactly eye-popping they are impressive when stacked up against Miami tight ends Chase Ford and Asante Cleveland.

Both tight ends are primarily used for blocking purposes unlike Rudolph who is occasionally used in the passing game.

The advantage in this case goes to Rudolph and the Fighting Irish.

Offensive Line

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 11: Quarterback Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes hands the ball off to a running back against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Big Uglies don't get enough credit, yet it is their work that ultimately determines how successful the offense is. That is of course unless a team has the luxury of having a Michael Vick-esque QB who can buy extra time to make up for the deficiencies among an offensive line.

Looking at Miami and Notre Dame's lines it's hard not to look at the production from the offense as a whole. The Hurricanes are more successful on the ground compared to the Irish, which is often a staple of a good offensive line.

Notre Dame QBs have been sacked 20 times this season whereas Miami QBs have been sacked 15, although keep in mind that the Irish have attempted 49 more attempts through the air than the 'Canes.

Both sides are solid in pass protection, but it is the fact that the Hurricanes are averaging almost a yard more per carry running the football that gives them the slight advantage.