Two teams that reached the top 10 in the AP Poll at one point this season, Miami and Oklahoma State, will face off in the 2020 Cheez-It Bowl. Here is a preview of the 2020 Cheez-It Bowl.
Miami Hurricanes (8-2)
Miami started the season 3-0 before an expected loss to Clemson. The Hurricanes went on to win their next five games, then lost their last regular season game of the year to North Carolina. Miami went 3-2 against teams who finished the regular season over .500.
Miami has put up quite a bit of points this season, as they rank 25th in the FBS with 34 points per game. Their passing offense averages 269.1 yards per game (ranks 30th) while the rushing offense averages 163.2 yards per game (ranks 67th).
Houston transfer D’Eriq King started at quarterback for Miami this season. King passed for 2,573 yards this year. He threw 22 touchdown passes and five interceptions with 201 completions in 316 attempts. His top target is senior receiver Mike Harley. Harley had 49 catches with 730 yards as well as six touchdown catches. Both wideout Dee Wiggins and tight end Brevin Jordan both added 30 catches and combined for eight touchdown catches this season.
King also had the most rushing attempts for Miami. He had 122 carries for 520 yards and four rushing scores. Runningback Cam’Ron Harris had nearly as many carries at 120. Harris had 591 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, leading the team in both categories. Freshman halfbacks Donald Chaney Jr. and Jaylan Knighton added 272 and 209 rushing yards, respectively.
The Hurricanes rank 42nd in opponents points per game, allowing an average of 26 points per game. They allow 407.4 yards per game, which ranks 64th. Safety Bubba Bolden leads the team in total tackles with 65. He also forced four fumbles this season, which is tied for second most in the FBS. The team has four more players with 45 tackles or more, including Jaelan Phillips, who had eight sacks this season.
Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-3)
Oklahoma State got off to a 4-0 start this season before losing to Texas. After that game, they went 3-2 to end the regular season at 7-3. The Cowboys beat two teams that finished the regular season ranked in Tulsa and Iowa State.
The Cowboys average 29.5 points per game, which ranks 56th in the nation. Their 232.5 passing yards per game ranks 60th, while their running game averages 194.5 yards per game (ranks 36th).
Sophomore Spencer Sanders took a majority of the snaps under center this season. He threw for 1,702 yards this year. Spencer had a poor ratio of 10 passing touchdowns to eight interceptions. Tylan Wallace had 53 receptions with 877 receiving yards and six touchdowns catches, which all lead the team. Senior wideout Dillon Stoner had 37 catches for 530 yards. Receivers Braydon Johnson and Landon Wolf each had at least 20 catches and over 200 receiving yards.
Chuba Hubbard was in numerous Heisman talks, but didn’t pan out to that. He still had a solid season with 625 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in 133 attempts. Junior halfack Dezmon Jackson got 93 carries. He had 526 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Sanders added 224 rushing yards in 88 attempts to the Cowboys offense this season.
The 22.4 points per game that Oklahoma State allows is ranked 31st in the FBS. They allow 365.8 yards per game, ranking 39th. Senior linebackers Amen Ogbongemiga and Malcolm Rodriguez led the team in tackles with 76 and 73, respectively. The two also forced a combined five fumbles, and recovered a combined three fumbles. Oklahoma State is tied for 12th in the FBS in sacks per game with 3.20.
Prediction
Both of these teams scored at least 50 points in a game this season, as well as held a team to single-digits. However, Miami has been more consistent in scoring a high amount of points. Although Oklahoma State can pressure the quarterback, D’Eriq King can get out of the pocket and limit the pressure. King’s running ability can be a big factor in the 2020 Cheez-It Bowl.
Miami Hurricanes 31 Oklahoma State Cowboys 26
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