2017 Capital One Orange Bowl preview

Wisconsin and Miami had chances in the final weeks to make it to the College Football Playoff, but lost key games. They are now going to play each other in the Orange Bowl. With Wisconsin always doing well in bowl games and Miami having home field advantage, something has to give. Here is the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl preview:

6 Wisconsin Badgers (12-1)

Jonathan Taylor (Photo by dailycardinal.com)

The Badgers went undefeated into the Big Ten Championship Game, but lost to Ohio State. They were largely untested this year, but do have decent wins over Florida Atlantic, Michigan and Northwestern. It’s disappointing that they couldn’t finish with an undefeated record, but the Badgers have a chance to win two straight New Year’s Six Bowl Games.

Offensively, Wisconsin scores 37.5 points per game with the running game being the most successful part of the offense. Freshman Jonathan Taylor had one of the best regular seasons for a first year running back. Taylor has 1,847 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns this season. His worst game of the season came against Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Quarterback Alex Hornibrook is a sophomore who completes 61.6% of his passes. He has 2,386 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions this season. He turns the ball over too much and is at his best when he plays within himself. The leading receiver for the Badgers is tight end Troy Fumagalli with 516 receiving yards and four touchdowns.Wide receiver Quintez Cephus has 30 catches for 501 yards and six touchdowns.

The defense is one of the best in the country, scoring 13.2 points per game. They rank second against the run and fourth against the pass. A lot of these rankings are aided by the weak schedule they have played, but they are still a solid defense. Linebacker T.J. Edwards and defensive back Joe Ferguson each have four interceptions this season to help the cause.

10 Miami Hurricanes (10-2)

Malik Rosier (Photo by palmbeachpost.com)

Miami lost their last two games, but had a great season in Mark Richt’s second year. Six of their ten wins came over bowl eligible teams, with the most notable wins coming over Notre Dame and Virginia Tech. Richt has the team back on the right track and they will want to end the season with a win.

The offense scores 29.5 points per game and has been inconsistent. Their running game accounts for 159.7 yards a game. They lost Mark Walton to injury and Travis Homer has stepped up. He has 902 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on six yards per carry. Quarterback Malik Rosier has 427 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

Rosier has led the team well, but hasn’t had the best season throwing the football. He has 2,917 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on 54.8% passing. A few receivers have made impacts for the Hurricanes in Braxton Berrios, Ahmmon Richards and Jeff Thomas. They all have over 300 receiving yards for Miami. Rosier will be without Christopher Herndon, who is out with a knee injury.

The defense allows 19.9 points per game and has some great speed. Their run defense ranks 43rd, while the pass defense ranks 52nd. Defensive backs Michael Jackson and Jaquan Johnson both have four interceptions this season and make it tough for opponents to complete passes.

Prediction

Miami is fortunate enough to have a home game for this matchup. That, along with their speed on defense, will help them win the game. They will fly to the ball to stop Taylor and make Hornibrook beat them, which he won’t be able to do.

Miami Hurricanes 24 Wisconsin 14

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