Mike Leach is having the time of his life with the Washington State Cougars. They're throwing the ball all over the field, and they're finally starting to really have some sustained success. Still, Wazzu hasn't won a bowl game since 2003, which is why the Sun Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes is so darn important to them.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Miami Hurricanes +2.5
Washington State Cougars -2.5
Over/Under 60
ODDS ANALYSIS
It probably shouldn't be all that surprising that the total in the Sun Bowl has risen since the line was first made public. Though for our money, it's the defense which has really brought Washington State to this point in the bowl season, this is still a team all about its passing game.
The total has risen from 60 up to 62, though all this time that betting lines have been open for bowl games, the spread has remained firm at Wazzu -2.5.
KEY MISMATCH
Luke Falk sat out the game against Washington at the end of the regular season with a concussion, and Peyton Bender wasn't successfully able to replace him.
Falk has really turned Gabe Marks and Dom Williams into household names in the Pac-12, and we aren't sure if the Hurricanes can really stop either wide receiver. UM is only allowing 195.9 passing yards per game, but there aren't a lot of comparable matchups here either.
Deshaun Watson blew this defense up in Coral Gables, and though there's far more talent in Clemson than there is in Pullman, Washington State's style lends itself to making even the best defenses sweat.
KEY STAT
3.6 – The number of yards per carry Miami averages as a team. The Hurricanes were supposed to have a really dynamic running game this year with Joseph Yearby and Mark Walton carrying the load, but they're averaging just over four yards per carry between them.
Brad Kaaya has been sacked far too often as well, something which obviously doesn't help out the team’s rushing stats.
BETTING ANGLE
The Hurricanes have failed to cover each of their last four trips to bowl games. They just haven't prepared well for the second season, and for the most part – this game included – they haven't been all that happy with their final destination of the year either.
Motivation is surely a major factor.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Miami has had a history of looking disinterested in bowl games for sure. Though the Mark Richt hiring has given an influx of interest to a team which needs as much of that as it can get, he won't really take over until after the Sun Bowl is over with, and we don't see this one ending in fine form for "The U" as a result.
Sometimes, you just need to handicap how motivated one side is over the other one.
Washington State wants to be here at the Sun Bowl, and it wants to open up a can on one of the most illustrious programs in college football. Just as the Hurricanes have fallen apart in bowl games in the past, they'll find themselves chasing the Sun Bowl early and will never be able to truly keep up.
Washington State 41, Miami 19
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