Since the college football playoff was expanded to twelve teams, seven of eight games played the team with the bye has gone down in flames. Only Indiana has made it to the semifinal game after a bye week. It’s hard to imagine an extra week causing a team to lose momentum and the ability to concentrate on what lies ahead, but the results prove otherwise. This time around both teams played on the same weekend, although one team did get somewhere around an additional 24 hours rest. Will it make a difference? These are big games that take a lot out of players. Hopefully neither of these teams falls flat.
Fiesta Bowl, Tempe, Arizona
(10) Miami 12-2 vs (6) Ole Miss 13-1
ESPN 6:30pm
After making the CFP neither one of these teams was expected to be this deep into the playoffs. But both have proven themselves more than capable of winning it all. Miami with defense. Ole Miss with offense. And that is what this one will come down to. Can Miami hold the high scoring Rebels from outscoring Carson Beck, Mark Fletcher, and Malachi Toney. Don’t take me wrong, Miami’s offense and Ole Miss’s defense will show up and make plays that get our attention, but these two teams are here because of their strengths. Miami’s defense and Ole Miss’s offense.
The U Defense
After a hard-fought opening win against Norte Dame the Hurricanes stumbled in mid-season with losses to Louisville and SMU. But after that the Cane’s defense came alive only allowing an average of 9.6 points over the last six games. They allowed a total of 17 points in their two CFP games against Texas A&M and Ohio State. While the Cane’s entire defense is formidable, it’s defensive linemen Ruben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor that bring the juice. The pair have pushed around offensive lines all season, registering 101 total tackles, 28.5 TFLs, 18.5 sacks, 1 INT, and 5 Forced fumbles. Bain alone had three sacks against A&M. Defensive backs Jakobe Thomas and Bryce Fitzgearld have combined for 11 interceptions on the season. As a defense the Cane’s have logged 95 TFLs, 46 sacks, 19 interceptions, and 13 forced fumbles while only allowing an average of 13 points and 285 total yards per game. If defense wins championships, look out for the Hurricanes.
The Rebel Offense
Ole Miss’s only loss during the season was to Georgia 43-35. They had that game in hand, but a fourth quarter collapse led to a loss. By playing Georgia a second time in the CFP quarterfinals they erased any doubts of a Lane Kiffin hangover by defeating the Bulldogs 39-34. QB Trinidad Chambliss leads an offense that is 2nd nationally with 496.2 yards and 10th in points scored with 37.6 per game. The Rebels success centers around the trio of QB Chambliss, RB Kewan Lacey, and WR Horace Wallace III. Against Georgia Chambliss passed for 362 yards and 2 TDs. On the season he passed for 3,660 yards, 22 TDs, and 3 interceptions. Lacey had 22 carries for 99 yards and 2 TDs against the Bulldogs but has rushed for 1,464 yards and 23 TDs on the season. Wallace had 9 receptions for 166 yards and 1 TD but has 57 receptions for 894 yards and 4 TDs on the season. But don’t get caught up on just these three. Watch for WR De’Zhaun Stribling, RB Duce Alexander receiving out of the backfield and TE Da’Quan Wright. Chambliss has multiple weapons at his disposal and can use his feet to extend plays. He’s also rushed for 520 yards and 8 TDs and was only sacked 13 times on the season.
The U Offense
A Georgia transfer, QB Carson Beck is 35-5 as a starter and has passed for 3,313 yards and 27 TDs on the season. He has, however, thrown 10 interceptions on the season. Beck is also not known for his scrambling ability having been sacked 13 times for -86 yards on the season. Against Ohio State he went 19/26 for 138 yards, a 5.3 yard per completion average and 1 TD. He relies heavily on the Miami running game to keep defenses in check. Toting the rock is Mark Fletcher and Chamar Brown. Fletcher rushed for 90 yards against OSU but finished the season with 947 yards, a 5.3 yard per carry average and 10 TDs. Brown has rushed for 415 yards and 6 TDs on the season. But some of his carries have been at critical times. From a receiving standpoint everything runs through WR Malachi Toney. He had 94 receptions for 1, 008 yards and 8 TDs on the season. He is also a running threat with 102 rushing yards and 1 TD on the season. he has the winning TD against Texas A&M on a jet sweep.
The Rebel Defense
The Rebel defense is solid but hasn’t put up the same type of numbers as Miami. Linebacker Suntarine Perkins is the 2nd leading tackler with 74. He also has 11 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 interception, and 3 forced fumbles. Princewell Umanmielen is the sack leader with 8. He also has 12 TFLs, and 1 interception. Defensive tackle William Echols is the 4th leading tackler on the team with 31. He has 11 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and 5 pass deflections. Look for him to be a problem for QB Carson Beck. On the season Ole Miss has 78 TFLs, 29 sacks, 8 interceptions, and 6 fumble recoveries. Their numbers pale in comparison to the Hurricanes but they can keep pace with the Miami offense.
Again, I see this one being Miami’s defense against Ole Miss’s offense. The Hurricane’s offense against the Rebels defense is a wash. But a big play from Carson Beck or Bryce Fitzgearld could be the difference.
OTC’s Pick – Miami 27-24
GO BIG RED NEBRASKA!!
Artwork by Lyle Harmon
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