Hurricanes Won’t Lose Independence Bowl…Right?
The Hurricanes should win the Independence Bowl, right?
You would hope that the Miami Hurricanes would have learned their lesson.
After another long layoff they will close out a disappointing 2019 campaign December 26th, in the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl.
The Hurricanes (6-6) will face the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (9-3) from Conference USA, where they finished with a 6-3 mark.
Louisiana Tech has never beaten the Hurricanes in four previous matchups, could this Miami team be their first conquest?
Read the full story: https://t.co/TbfLtyfx0m
— Walk-On’s Independence Bowl (@IndyBowl) December 8, 2019
We’ve Been Here Before
Miami has one prior trip to the Independence Bowl in 2014 under Al Golden. That team finished 6-6 during the regular season and entered the game on a three game losing streak.
Sound familiar?
Granted, this current Miami losing streak is only two games but those two should count for more.
The Hurricanes would lose the 2014 game to South Carolina 24-21 despite being the favorite.
This time around the Hurricanes are again the favorite and cannot afford another slow start which has doomed them repeatedly.
Miami was outscored 72-20 in their six losses, five of which were by single digits.
Diaz Must Have Team Prepared
The Hurricanes were dreadful after bye weeks, losing all three of their games after extended hiatus.
Lack of preparation defined their season, and they will once again have to gain focus or the results will be similar.
Louisiana Tech averaged 34 points per game this season and should not be taken lightly.
The Bulldogs have an excellent quarterback in J’Mar Smith who threw for 2814 yards with 17 touchdowns against just four interceptions.
Smith shares the wealth as Louisiana Tech has three receivers with at least 500 receiving yards this season.
The Miami Hurricanes have arrived in Shreveport for the @IndyBowl pic.twitter.com/yOu4jEUmJ7
— Darrell Rebouche (@darebouche) December 21, 2019
They are succeptable to the pass rush as they allowed 26 sacks (76th in NCAA) and only average 3.8 yards per carry on the ground.
Gregory Rousseau should be primed for a big day, along with Miami’s top-20 run defense.
Gregory Rousseau was one of Miami's biggest highlights of the regular season, earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. https://t.co/eOvJ8vUJZn
— Athlon Sports (@AthlonSports) December 13, 2019
Louisiana Tech has an opportunistic defense which had 15 interceptions, whoever starts at quarterback for Miami must make the easy plays.
The Hurricanes are not good enough to overcome a turnover deficit, we have seen that movie before.
Cam Harris should be a focal point of the running game against a Bulldogs defense that surrenders over 142 rushing yards per game.
Dan Enos has one more opportunity this season to prove he should get another year.
While Manny Diaz has to ensure his team comes out firing on all cylinders and does not overlook Louisiana Tech.
If Miami somehow manages to have another FIU-type performance and lose, the offseason in Coral Gables will be a rocky one.
The Independence Bowl can be seen on ESPN December 26th at 4PMEST.
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