Two conference runner-ups collide when the (6) Wisconsin Badgers grapple with the (11) Miami Hurricanes in the 2017 Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The game is slated to get going on Saturday, December 30th at 8 p.m. EST. The interesting match-up can also be watched on ESPN to conclude a great day of college football. Currently, oddsmakers have the Badgers as a -4.5 point favorite and the contest’s over/under at 45.
The Wisconsin Badgers come into the 2017 Orange Bowl sporting a 12-1 overall record. Unfortunately, their only loss of the season came against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship. The loss cost the Badgers more than an undefeated season, it also cost them a chance to play for the National Championship. Nevertheless, Wisconsin is a team to be reckoned with and will look to impose their will on the home team in this showdown.
The Miami Hurricanes achieved all that they could and more in 2017. Nobody expected the Hurricanes to have a chance to be playing for all the marbles. Well, if it weren’t for a blowout defeat to the Clemson Tigers, that’s exactly what they would be playing for. Instead, the stars didn’t align right and they get to bring their 10-2 record to the friendly confines of the Orange Bowl.
(6) Wisconsin Badgers (12-1)
The Wisconsin Badgers aren’t considered an offensive juggernaut by any means but they can run the football and put up almost 30 points a game. At the helm for this bruising offense is quarterback Alex Hornibrook. Hornibrook isn’t asked to win games on his own but manage the offense and keep the chains moving in an efficient fashion. So far so good, as he has completed 61 percent of his throws for 2,386 yards and 21 touchdowns. Unfortunately, he has had some problems turning the ball over because he also has 15 interceptions on his resume’.
One thing is for sure, the Wisconsin Badgers will be running the football early and often against the Hurricanes in the 2017 Peach Bowl. The Badgers introduced the most electrifying freshman running back in college football in 2017. Tailback Jonathan Taylor has answered the bell with bells on, running for 1,847 yards and 13 scores. Taylor will have the opportunity to become the all-time freshman rusher in FBS history with a big game against the Canes’.
Passing is not something the Badgers to well but they do capitalize when opposing secondaries load the box to stop the run. Wideout Quintin Cephus leads the receivers with catches for 501 yards and six scores. Like most Wisconsin teams of the past, this club also has one heck of a tight end. Troy Fumagalli leads the team with 43 catches for 516 yards and four more touchdowns.
The Wisconsin Badgers may sport the nation’s best defense. They have been very strong as they come, ranking 1st in total yards allowed (236.9 ypg), 2nd against the pass (156.4 ypg) and 1st versus the run (80.5 ypg). Altogether, they are 2nd in the country, allowing only 12 points a game.
(11) Miami Hurricanes (10-2)
The Miami Hurricanes fell a game short of reaching the College Football Playoffs. To their dismay, the Hurricanes dropped the ball so to speak and were crushed by Clemson in the ACC Title game. Even so, the underachieving outfit managed to find their way into the 2017 Orange Bowl against the Badgers.
Leading the way offensively was quarterback Malik Rosier. Overall, the junior signal-caller has completed just over 200 passes for 2,908 yards with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He will need to be spot on against Wisconsin if the Hurricanes hope to go out on a winning note this weekend. One thing is for sure, he better not serve up any interceptions against one of the top defenses in the country. If so, Miami will be playing from behind and their offense isn’t built for that.
Miami prefers to move the ball via their ground attack. Since taking over as the starter, Travis Homer has been exceptional. The steady tailback has toted the rock 151 times for 907 yards with seven trips to the promised land. Quarterback Malik Rozier has found his footing, rushing for another 427 yards and five scores of his own.
Braxton Berrios and Christopher Herndon IV make up a good combination for head coach Mark Richt. Together, the two wideouts have nabbed 91 passes for just over 1,300 yards and 11 scores. Berrios leads the team in yardage (625), catches (51), and nine end zone appearances. Both have to be at their best to keep Wisconsin from stacking the line of scrimmage in the 2017 Peach Bowl.
On defense, Miami has been solid as they come in ranked 38th in total yards allowed (361.2 ypg). They also are 52nd against the pass (213 ypg) and 45th vs the run (147 ypg). In all, the unit is only allowing 19.9 points per contest, which is 17th in the nation. Once again, they will be called upon to slow down the powerful Badger rushing offense that is capable of putting up 30 points on anybody.
Prediction
Sin City has the Wisconsin Badgers as a four and a half point favorite in this Orange Bowl match-up. Considering that they are bringing in one if not the best defenses in the country, I see why. Being a Hurricane fan, I would like to suggest that we have superseded all expectations and that will be the case again in Miami. Well, that isn’t what I’m going to say. Instead, I’m going to say that the Badgers’ defense will just be too much for the Hurricanes and they won’t get 20 points. Give me Wisconsin to win this Orange Bowl showdown by at least a touchdown.
Linesetters also have the game’s total at a lowly 45 points. Considering that Miami is average at best on that side of the ball and Wisconsin is exceptional on defense, I see why. Either way, that total is much too low for me to play. Look, it very well good be 10-3 at halftime. Still, why risk it? Just take the team that runs the ball better and easily has the better defense of the two. Give me the Badgers and the -4.5 and watch the Canes’ close out their year with three-straight losses.
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Trends
The Badgers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
The Under is 3-1-1 in the Badgers last 5 Bowl games.
The Hurricanes are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 bowl games.
The Under is 4-0 in the Hurricanes last 4 bowl games.
