The Miami Hurricanes (7-5) are looking to finish the season on a high note by winning their first bowl game since 2016 and finishing the year strong with 8 wins. The Canes will face off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-6), in the Pinstripe Bowl this upcoming Thursday. The Canes will have some questions again at the quarterback position as Jacurri Brown will make his first start and will have holes in key positions as some of the Canes key starters have opted out for the bowl game.
Keys To Victory:
For Miami to emerge victorious against Rutgers, their strategy must revolve around safeguarding the ball, a critical aspect given their current ranking as one of the worst in the nation for turnovers. The 2023 season has showcased Miami’s immense talent, but their propensity for self-sabotage, particularly in terms of turnovers, has been a significant hurdle. The key for Miami lies in leveraging their size advantage over Rutgers, especially on the lines of scrimmage. This physical dominance should enable a potent running attack, spearheaded by Mark Fletcher, setting the stage for Jacurri Brown to effectively utilize the passing game. The emphasis should be on establishing a robust running game early, which would then open up opportunities for Jacurri Brown to connect with receivers like Jacolby George, and Xavier Restrepo for significant gains. The Canes’ ability to balance their offensive attack while minimizing turnovers will be instrumental in determining their success in this crucial matchup.
X-Factors:
The X-factor for the Canes this week is Jacurri Brown. Up until now, Brown hasn’t played a single snap for the Canes, and his first game action will be against Rutgers. He has already sparked interest by posting a video on his social media, showcasing his skills in practice — finding receivers and connecting with them for touchdowns, along with making long throws for significant gains. If Jacurri Brown excels against Rutgers, the game could be decisively in Miami’s favor quite early. If Brown struggles with accuracy and fails to connect with his wide receivers, Miami might find themselves embroiled in a tough battle throughout the day.
Keep An Eye On:
Rutgers is notably one-dimensional, with their strength firmly rooted in their running game. This year, the Scarlet Knights didn’t have a wide receiver who scored four touchdowns or amassed at least 500 receiving yards. Their quarterback, Gavin Wimsatt, struggled with a 47.8% completion rate, tallying just nine passing touchdowns against eight interceptions.
However, Rutgers’ running game tells a different story. Spearheaded by their lead running back, Kyle Monangai, the team amassed nearly two thousand rushing yards this season. Monangai alone accounted for 1,099 yards and seven touchdowns, boasting an average of 5.1 yards per carry. Wimsatt, despite his challenges in the passing game, proved to be a prolific runner, rushing for 488 yards and scoring nine touchdowns on the ground.
On the defensive front, Rutgers boasts a duo of linebackers who are formidable in tackling. Deion Jennings racked up 85 tackles this year, along with four passes deflected. Mohamed Toure was close behind with 84 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two passes deflected, and an interception. Both linebackers demonstrate remarkable versatility, effectively playing close to the line of scrimmage and covering tight ends and receivers. In the secondary, Flip Dixon stands out as a leader with 70 tackles, four pass deflections, and an interception this year. Another player to watch is Max Melton, who led the team with six passes deflected and three interceptions.
Prediction:
Miami boasts a more talented team than Rutgers and needs to maintain focus, avoiding the complacency and lackluster play that has marred their performance in past bowl games. There are uncertainties surrounding Miami’s quarterback position, particularly with Jacurri Brown making his first start of the season. Despite this, the outcome should not hinge solely on the quarterback’s performance, as Miami possesses a roster with more NFL-caliber players than Rutgers.
If Miami plays a disciplined and focused game, they stand a strong chance of defeating Rutgers.This victory would not only mark their first bowl win in seven years but, also
cap the year with an eight-win season. Achieving this would mean a 60% increase
in their year-over-year record, setting a solid foundation for a promising 2024
season with a stacked roster.
Miami – 27
Rutgers – 14
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