Orange Bowl Preview: Wisconsin vs Miami

This season’s Orange Bowl features a great matchup between Wisconsin and Miami.

Both Miami and Wisconsin backed into bowl season and will want to end the year on a positive note. The Hurricanes entered the final week of the regular season undefeated before dropping a shocker at home to the Pitt Panthers. That was followed up by a 38-3 beat-down by Clemson in the ACC Championship. The Badgers finished their regular season unblemished but lost to Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.

Neither team is great on offense, but find success through the use of tough defense.

Game: Capital One Orange Bowl
Teams: No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers (10-2, 9-0 Big Ten) vs No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (10-2, 7-1 ACC)
Time: December 30, 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium; Miami, Florida
TV: ESPN

Wisconsin enters the Orange Bowl already with a disadvantage thanks to the fact that it will be played in Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. The Hurricanes should have a clear home-field advantage in this one.

Watching a Wisconsin game isn’t exactly a treat, and that’s perfectly fine with the Badgers. They wear opponents down with the run game, namely freshman Jonathan Taylor. The running back rushed for 1,847 yards and 13 touchdowns on 273 carries this season.

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The Badgers will certainly rely on the run game, but there will be times that quarterback Alex Hornibrook will need to use the passing attack. When he does, the likely target will be All-American tight end Troy Fumagalli. He led the Badgers this year with 43 receptions for 516 yards. He has already declared for the NFL Draft but is expected to play in the Orange Bowl.

Even if Wisconsin struggles on offense, the defense should do its part to keep things close. The Badgers enter as the top team in total defense, allowing just 253 yards per game. Look for linebackers Ryan Connelly and T.J. Edwards to have big games.

On the Miami side, the Hurricanes will rely on the magic of the Turnover Chain. Despite ranking just 38th in total defense, Miami’s defensive unit will be a key to victory in the Orange Bowl. The Hurricanes allow 360 yards per game, but are one of the best at creating turnovers.

The Hurricanes created 30 total turnovers, including 17 interceptions. Defensive backs Jaquan Johnson and Michael Jackson both made a team-high four interceptions. Johnson also led the team with 85 total tackles.

Sack leader, defensive lineman, Trent Harris will do his part to disrupt the Wisconsin offense.

Like Wisconsin, the Miami defense will ensure the game remains close. It will be up to the offense to come up with enough points to come out victorious. Quarterback Malik Rosier will look to shake off his ugly two-interception performance in the ACC Championship.

Miami’s offense didn’t light the world on fire this season, but when it was successful it was due to the passing game. Rosier did throw for 2,900 yards this year with 25 touchdowns. His favorite target throughout the season was wide receiver Braxton Berrios, who hauled in 52 receptions for 634 yards and nine touchdowns.

Next: Three Nittany Lions to watch in the Fiesta Bowl

In what could be a defensive battle, the Orange Bowl will likely come down to which defense comes up with a game-changing play.

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