The 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl features the 10-3 Iowa State Cyclones against the 10-2 Miami Hurricanes. Here is the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl Preview.
Iowa State won 10 games to make a bowl game this season. They defeated five bowl-eligible teams this season: Iowa, Arkansas State, Baylor, West Virginia and Kansas State. Their only loss to a team that didn’t make a bowl game came to Kansas.
The Cyclones score 31.2 points per game, ranking 44th in the country. They pass for 254.6 yards (ranked 38th) and rush for 161.7 yards per game (ranked 68th).
After starting last season as a true freshman, sophomore Rocco Becht has taken a step forward at quarterback in 2024. He has passed for 3,235 yards, 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions on 59.3 percent completion. Three receivers have over 200 yards on the season, but two of them have over 1,000. Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel have created a great duo with 1,183 and 1,077 receiving yards respectively.
Four players have over 250 rushing yards for the Cyclones. Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III have handled most of the work with 670 and 574 yards respectively. Jaylon Jackson has 388 rushing yards, while Becht has 295 from the quarterback position.
Defensively, the Cyclones allow 21.5 points per game, ranking 33rd in the country. They concede 161.7 passing yards and 179.2 rushing yards per game. Defensive back Beau Freyler has led the team with 82 tackles. J.R. Singleton has paced the team with four sacks. Jeremiah Cooper has made plays on the ball with seven passes defended and two interceptions.
Miami won 10 games this season, helping them make a bowl game. They defeated six bowl-eligible teams this year: Florida, USF, Virginia Tech, Cal, Louisville and Duke. Both of their losses, to Syracuse and Georgia Tech, were to teams that made bowl games.
The Hurricanes score 44.5 points per game, ranking first in the country. They pass for 359.3 yards (ranked second) and rush for 179 yards per game (ranked 44th).
Cam Ward has stated he will play in this game after a fantastic season for the Hurricane. He has passed for 4,123 yards, 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 67.4 percent completion. Five Miami player have at least 500 receiving yards on the season. Xavier Restrepo is unsure whether he will play in this game after catching 69 passes for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Damien Martinez leads the rushing attack with 823 yards and nine touchdowns. Behind him Mark Fletcher and Jordan Lyle have been solid with 545 and 366 rushing yards respectively.
On defense, the Hurricanes allow 23.9 points per game, ranking 61st in the country. They give up 209.8 passing yards and 110.1 rushing yard per game. Francisco Mauigoa has been the team leader with 88 total tackles. Simeon Barrow Jr., Tyler Baron and Akhem Mesidor are tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks. Mishael Powell has found the football with five passes defended and five interceptions.
Right now, it looks like most key players will suit up for both teams. Miami has the firepower to score a lot of points if Ward is playing. Iowa State can slow them down, but can’t stop them. Their offense will struggle to keep up.
Miami Hurricanes 37 Iowa State Cyclones 28
Make sure to check out our college football page for more content like 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl Preview!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!
