Picking the Big 12 Football Bowl Games
By Chip Rouse
Dec. 28, 2016
Russell Athletic Bowl
West Virginia Mountaineers (10-2) vs. Miami Hurricanes (8-4)
Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Fla.
Like the bowl matchup between K-State and Texas A&M, this year’s Russell Athletic Bowl features a clash between two former conference foes. As members of the Big East, West Virginia and Miami met 13 times, with the Hurricanes winning 11 of them. Miami also owns a big advantage all-time, going 16-3 against the Mountaineers.
This is an intriguing matchup. Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya is the Hurricanes’ all-time leader in passing (which is saying a lot with all the great QBs that have come out of Miami). He may find the going tough, though, going against an aggressive and very physical West Virginia defense. Mountaineer cornerback Rasul Douglas is one of the best in the country. Douglas has picked off one more interception (8) than Kaaya has thrown this season (7).
Miami has been a very streaky team this season. The Hurricanes won their first four contests, dropped the next four and closed out the regular season with four consecutive victories.
West Virginia has a very strong running game, with a bevy of solid running backs. Unfortunately, the Mountaineers have been hit pretty hard with injuries in that area. Despite the injuries, West Virginia was second in the Big 12 this season, averaging 240 rushing yards per game.
The two quarterbacks are going to be the key to which team comes out on top in this game. West Virginia has the more balanced of the two offensive attacks, but West Virginia likes to lull defenses to sleep on its running ability and then stick the dagger in with playmakers in the passing game. Miami is going to try to put a lot of stress on the back end of the Mountaineer defense.
The team that defends the passing game the best is going to have a leg up in this one.
Prediction: West Virginia 31, Miami 28