No. 21 Oklahoma State vs. No. 18 Miami Inside the Numbers Cheez-It Bowl Preview
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando, Florida, will be rocking on Tuesday when No. 21 Oklahoma State (7-3, 6-3 Big12) heads east to face No. 18 Miami (8-2, 7-2 ACC) in a highly anticipated offensive showdown pitting the Big 12 against the ACC. Both teams love pushing the ball down the field driven by talented quarterbacks backed by solid rushing attacks. Both defenses will be stretched for four quarters in what promises to be a back-and-forth thriller for the fans.
Oklahoma State fans might look at the 2020 season as “only if”, and that is only if a couple of bounces had gone their way two more wins (Texas and TCU) might be on the board and perhaps a different outcome against then-No. 18 Oklahoma (41-13) might have occurred. The Cowboys came out strong with a four-game winning streak that included a 24-21 home victory over eventual regular season Big 12 champ Iowa State. After the 41-34 overtime loss to the Longhorns, the Cowboys rode a win one, lose one streak to Camping World Stadium.
Miami jumped out of the gate much the same way on a three-game winning streak until facing No. 1 Clemson. But the 42-17 loss did not derail the season seeing the Hurricanes get on a five-game winning streak that included three consecutive road games against NC State, Virginia Tech, and Duke. Closing out the season strong at home against No. 17 North Carolina was not to be achieved. The depleted Miami roster took a 62-26 loss last time on the field.
Keys to the Game
The Cowboys had passing lanes opened up for Spencer Sanders with All-Conference running back Chuba Hubbard intimidating defenses. Hubbard played in seven games for OSU but opted out of the season last appearing on the field Nov. 21 against Oklahoma. In his absence, Dezmon Jackson has stepped up closing in on Hubbard’s team-highs in all rushing categories. Last time out, Jackson hit Baylor for 169 yards on the ground off 23 carries with three touchdowns. Another game ball against Baylor went to Dillon Stoner after an 8-catch, 247-yard, 3-TD game.
Ball control issues for Oklahoma State have been a problem all season with 11 fumbles, six lost, and 10 interceptions tossed in only 10 games played.
For teams lining up against Miami all season, the goal has been to limit quarterback D’Eriq King, but that is easier said than done. King is fifth in the ACC in passing yards (2,573) with a healthy 22:5 touchdown/interception ratio. Beyond his arm, he kills defenses with his legs coming in second on the Hurricane roster in rushing yards (520).
On paper, Miami has the better offense and OSU the better defense. If strength of schedule means anything, Oklahoma State has had a tougher go of it ranked 34th in the FBS ranks to Miami’s 47th.
No. 21 Oklahoma State vs No. 18 Miami
Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. ET – Tuesday, Dec. 29th
TV: ESPN
Location: Camping World Stadium – Orlando, FL
Spread: Oklahoma State -2.5
Statistical Game Breakdown
Oklahoma State Strength of Schedule: 34th
Miami Strength of Schedule: 47th
Oklahoma State Key Injuries
RB Chuba Hubbard (opt-out) – out
WR Tylan Wallace (knee) – questionable
Miami Key Injuries
CB Al Blades Jr. (heart) – out
RB Jaylan Knighton (shoulder) – out
Offensive Breakdown
OSU Points Per Game: 29.50
UM Points Per Game: 34.00
OSU Rushing Yards Per Game: 194.7
UM Rushing Yards Per Game: 163.20
OSU Passing Yards Per Game: 233.00
UM Passing Yards Per Game: 269.40
OSU Total Offense: 427.7
UM Total Offense: 432.6
OSU Third Down Conversion Percentage: 67-158 – 42.41 percent
UM Third Down Conversion Percentage: 61-146 – 41.78 percent
OSU Red Zone Offense: 36-44 – 21 touchdowns
UM Red Zone Offense: 35-39 – 89.74 percent
OSU Key Offensive Players
RB Chuba Hubbard: 133 carries for 625 yards with 5 TDs
QB Spencer Sanders: 128-207-8 for 1,702 yards with 10 TDs; 224 rushing, 2 TDs
RB Dezmon Jackson: 93 carries for 526 yards, 4 TDs
WR Tylan Wallace: 53 rec. for 877 yards, 6 TDs
WR Dillon Stoner: 37 rec. for 530 yards, 3 TDs
Miami Key Offensive Players
QB D’Eriq King: 201-316-5 for 2,573 yards, 22 TDs; 530 rush yards, 4 TDs
RB Cam’Ron Harris: 120 carries for 591 yards, 9 TDs
RB Don Chaney Jr.: 62 carries for 272 yards, 3 TDs
WR Michael Harley: 49 rec. for 730 yards, 6 TDs
WR Mark Pope: 31 rec. for 389 yards, 2 TDs
TE Brevin Jordan: 30 rec. for 480 yards, 5 TDs
Defensive Breakdown
OSU Total Defense: 365.7
UM Total Defense: 407.4
OSU Points Allowed Per Game: 22.40
UM Points Allowed Per Game: 26.0
OSU Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 205.20
UM Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 226.80
OSU Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 160.5
UM Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 180.60
OSU Defensive Third Down Conversion: 40-152 – 26.32 percent
UM Defensive Third Down Conversion: 56-147 – 38.10 percent
OSU Red Zone Defense: 21-25 – 14 touchdowns
UM Red Zone Defense:
OSU Key Defensive Players
LB Amen Ogbongbemiga: 76 tackles, 5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 FR, and 3 FF
LB Malcom Rodriguez: 73 tackles, 7 TFL, 3 sacks, 5 QB hurries, 1 FR, and 2 FF
DB Tre Sterling: 61 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 2 INT, 3 PBU, and 2 FR
Miami Key Defensive Players
DB Bubba Bolden: 65 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 INT
DB Amari Carter: 53 tackles
OLB Gilbert Frierson: 49 tackles, 9 TFL, 2 sacks, and 3 PBU
DE Jaelan Phillips: 45 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 8 sacks, 1 INT, and 5 QB hurries
Photo credit: Miami Herald; No. 1 D’Eriq King