No. 21 Oklahoma State vs. No. 18 Miami Inside the Numbers Cheez-It Bowl Preview

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

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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

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Photo credit: Miami Herald; No. 1 D’Eriq King

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