The 2024 Arizona Bowl features the 8-5 Miami (Ohio) RedHawks against the 8-4 Colorado State Rams. Here is the 2024 Arizona Bowl Preview.
Miami (Ohio) RedHawks
Miami won eight games to make a bowl game this season. They defeated three bowl-eligible teams: Ohio, Northern Illinois and Bowling Green. Two of their losses, to Cincinnati and Northwestern, were to teams that didn’t qualify for a bowl game.
The RedHawks score 22.6 points per game, ranking 107th in the country. They pass for 220 yards (ranked 76th) and rush for 129 yards per game (ranked 99th).
Brett Gabbert has plenty of experience starting at quarterback for Miami (Ohio). He has passed for 2,737 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 57.6 percent completion. The RedHawks have four players who tallied over 200 receiving yards on the season. Two of them are in the transfer portal, so Cade McDonald will need to step up after having 606 receiving yards this season.
Keyon Mozee leads the RedHawks’ ground attack with 1,073 rushing yards. Jordan Brunson has been a solid backup with 265 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, the RedHawks allow 18.9 points per game, ranking 16th in the country. They give up 184.5 passing yards and 136.8 rushing yards per game. Linebacker Matt Salopek leads the team with 113 total tackles. Brian Ugwu has provided pressure with 7.5 sacks. Top corner Raion Strader is in the transfer portal, but Silas Walter has played well in the secondary with 12 passes defended.
Colorado State Rams
Colorado State won eight games to qualify for a bowl game this season. They defeated one bowl-eligle team this season: San Jose State. Their only loss to a team that didn’t make a bowl game came to Oregon State.
The Rams score 25 points per game, ranking 93rd in the FBS. They pass for 211 yards (ranked 86th) and rush for 170.4 yards per game (ranked 56th).
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi was once again the quarterback for Colorado State this season. He passed for 2,475 yards, 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 61.8 percent completion. Six players had at least 200 receiving yards on the season for the Rams. Tory Horton is out for the season and Caleb Goodie is in the transfer portal. Jamari Person is the leading receiver in his game with 386 yards.
Two running backs do most of the damage on the ground for the Rams. Avery Morrow has rushed for 956 yards and nine touchdowns to lead the way. Behind him Justin Marshall has 662 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, the Rams allow 24.3 yards per game, ranking 63rd. They concede 238.9 passing yards and 155 rushing yards per game. Buom Jock led the team with 100 tackles, but he’s in the transfer portal. Chase Wilson is the current leader with 91. Gabe Krischke leads the team with 5.5 sacks. Dominic Morris leads the team with nine passes defended and one interception.
Prediction
Both teams have several playmakers in the transfer portal. Colorado State is more set up to overcome this with Fowler-Nicolosi at quarterback. The Rams can win a close one.
Colorado State Rams 35 Miami (Ohio) RedHawks 31
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