The 2022 Bahamas Bowl features the 6-6 UAB Blazers against the 6-6 Miami RedHawks. Here is the 2022 Bahamas Bowl Preview.
UAB Blazers (6-6)
UAB went 6-6 with an interim coach after Bill Clark retired before the season. They lost to two teams who were under .500 on the season, but defeated three bowl-eligible teams in Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee and North Texas.
The offense scores 30.6 points per game, which ranks 54th in the country. They rush for 243.3 yards (ranked sixth) and pass for 198.5 yards per game (ranked 107th).
Their leading rusher has been DeWayne McBride who has 1,713 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground this season. He has been the most productive running back in college football. When he has needed a breather, the Blazers have been able to rely on Jermaine Brown Jr., who has rushed for 832 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Dylan Hopkins has been managing the offense from the quarterback position. He has passed for 1,709 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions on 62.8 percent completion. Four receivers have over 200 receiving yards on the year with Trea Shropshire leading the way. He has 740 receiving yards and five touchdowns on the year. The second-leading receiver on the season has been Tejhaun Palmer with 27 catches for 461 yards and two touchdowns.
The defense allows 23.4 points per game, which ranks 88th in the FBS. They give up 170.6 rushing yards (ranked 93rd) and 197.7 passing yards per game (ranked 25th). Linebacker Noah Wilder has been the leader of the defense this season with 100 total tackles. Starling Thomas V and Mac McWilliams have been starring in the secondary with 14 and 10 passes defended respectively.
Miami RedHawks (6-6)
Miami went 6-6 on the season, but did not defeat a bowl-eligible team. They lost to just one team who didn’t qualify for a bowl game in Western Michigan (assuming Buffalo wins against Akron to become bowl eligible).
The RedHawks score 20.3 points per game, which ranks 113th in the country. They rush for 142.6 yards (ranked 77th) and pass for 165.8 yards per game (ranked 120th).
Aveon Smith has filled in at quarterback for the injured Brett Gabbert, who was in the transfer portal, but now is returning to Miami and could play in this game if healthy. Smith has passed for 1,137 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions on 48.9 percent completion. Four pass catchers have over 200 receiving yards for the RedHawks. Mac Hippenhammer leads the team with 52 catches for 726 yards and eight touchdowns. The second-leading receiver is Miles Marshall, who has 23 catches for 377 yards and two touchdowns.
Smith is also the team’s leading rusher from the quarterback position. He has rushed for 503 yards and six touchdowns. Keyon Mozee is the lead running back with 455 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Behind him, Tyre Shelton and Kevin Davis each have over 275 rushing yards on the season.
The defense allows 22.5 points per game, ranking them 36th in the country. They concede 135.8 rushing yards (ranked 41st) and 236 passing yards per game (ranked 86th). Ryan McWood and Matthew Salopek each have over 100 tackles on the season for Miami’s defense. Corey Suttle leads the team with six sacks. John Saunders had a team-best 10 passes defended with two interceptions as well, but is in the transfer portal.
Prediction
Both teams will try to establish the run in this game. Miami’s offense will prove to be too one-dimensional and UAB will be able to win a close game.
UAB Blazers 24 Miami RedHawks 18
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