Miami tries to tame Nevada in MPC Computers Bowl

By Alex Guzman  |   Saturday, December 30, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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The only bowl game on New Year's Eve pits the University of Miami (6-6) and the University of Nevada-Reno (8-4). The Hurricanes and the Wolfpack will meet Sunday in the infamous blue turf of Boise, Idaho. Both teams are attempting to overcome disappointing 2006 seasons with a win that could jump-start their respective programs.

For UM, this game is punishment for its worst campaign since 1997. The season started with a frustrating 13-10 loss at home against longtime rival Florida State and went downhill from there. Just two weeks after their misstep against FSU, the Hurricanes were embarrassed at Louisville, 31-7.

Then, after rebounding with four straight wins over inferior competition, the 'Canes lost four straight ACC games - three of them on the road. Surprisingly in the role of underdogs, Miami rose to the occasion on Thanksgiving Day to beat Boston College 17-14 at the Orange Bowl. The next day, head coach Larry Coker was fired.

It's been that kind of season for the Hurricanes. The program was shamed when a nasty brawl broke out against Florida International on Oct. 14, starting quarterback Kyle Wright was lost for the season with a broken thumb in a home loss to Virginia Tech on Nov. 4, and defensive lineman Bryan Pata was murdered on Nov. 7.

Now that defensive coordinator Randy Shannon has been named head coach, UM will try to make things right with a win over Nevada. Miami is led on offense by sophomore QB Kirby Freeman and freshman RB Javarris James. The third-ranked defense is led by senior DE Baraka Atkins and senior safety Brandon Meriweather. Also keep an eye on junior LB Jon Beason, who's a tackling machine.

However, the Wolfpack come into this contest with other ideas. After starting the season at 0-2 with losses to Fresno State and Arizona State, Nevada reeled off three straight wins. A road loss at Hawaii followed by five consecutive victories over lesser WAC foes put the team's record at 8-3. Then, they suffered an embarrassing 38-7 loss at home to Fiesta Bowl-bound Boise State.

QB Jeff Rowe leads Nevada's "pistol" offense. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior has completed almost 65 percent of his passes and sports an impressive 16-to-7 TD-INT ratio this season. He also has four rushing TDs on the year. However, the ground game goes through senior Robert Hubbard (936 yards) and sophomore Luke Lippincott (nine TDs). The defense has been solid but will be tested by Miami's speed at the skill positions.

One element both teams will battle is the weather. Though Nevada is more accustomed to the temperatures - expected to be in the high 20s or low 30s - the freezing conditions should cause problems for both offenses. A cold ball is harder to throw, catch and kick. As a result, expect this game to be a low-scoring affair that will eventually be decided in the second half by the Hurricanes.
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About Alex Guzman

MiamiFootball365 & RealFootball365 founder
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