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With Miami set to take on #21 Oklahoma State tomorrow, CIS took a deep-dive and compared both programs. How do the teams match up in key areas of the game, which players were recruited by the other school, and how does the series history shake out? Let's find out.
Head-to-Head
Miami Rush Offense vs. Ok. State Rush Defense
Miami’s running game has been pretty bad most of the season, but a few big games early in the year leveled out their numbers to 65th nationally of 127 FBS teams with 163.2 rushing ypg. Miami’s push up front has been underwhelming at best in 2020, leading to a ton of negative runs from Cam’Ron Harris (4.8 ypc, 9 TD’s), and the Canes rely more on breaking a big play rather than a consistent rushing attack. Still, QB D’Eriq King continues to churn up grass with his legs (52.0 rushing yards per game), and has progressed from scrambles and designed draws to consistently running more zone reads to help out the Miami rushing game.
Oklahoma State’s run defense is slightly above average at 60th nationally in allowing 160.5 ypg. OSU’s LB play has had a productive 2020, as their two top tacklers are LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (76 tackles) and LB Malcom Rodriguez (73 tackles). Combined, the duo also has 9 TFL and 5 sacks. UM’s running game has been very inconsistent overall this season, so it’s hard to know what to expect against a competent run D like the Cowboys have, but they’ll hope for a big run or two from Harris or King to get them going.
Advantage: Even
Ok. State Rush Offense vs. Miami Rush Defense
Oklahoma State bases their entire offense off their running game, as they have recorded 194.7 ypg to slot in as the nation’s #36 rushing attack. It’s no small detail then that Chuba Hubbard, considered one of the nation’s best backs, will sit this bowl out to prepare for the NFL Draft. Usual backup LD Brown has missed the past three games with injury and is considered questionable for the matchup tomorrow. If the Cowboys are down to their third RB, it won’t be too much of a problem, as Dezmon Jackson has performed well in rushing for 391 yards (5.7 ypc) and 4 TD’s in three starts in 2020. QB Spencer Sanders also pitches in 32 ypg on the ground and is a threat to beat you with his legs.
Of course, the Canes are coming off a historically bad game on the ground after giving up 554 yards to UNC in their last contest. That one game actually moved them back from the nation’s #42 run defense to #83 (180.6 ypg), quite a one week tumble after 10 games played. Both Miami’s interior DL and LB unit were taken to school against the Tar Heels, and while OSU is not on the same level running the ball as UNC, they are still very good, so it’s hard to have much confidence in this run D heading into the bowl. Miami’s one potential saving grace could be that their younger linebackers are expected to get more burn than ever before in this game, replacing some very underwhelming veterans.
Advantage: Ok. State
Miami Pass Offense vs. Ok. State Pass Defense
Despite some lackluster efforts earlier in the year, UM’s pass game rebounded to finish the regular season in the top fourth of the country in 2020, coming in at 30th nationally with 269.4 ypg. Miami has shown the ability to be both efficient and explosive at times behind the arm of King (63.5% completions, 8.2 ypa, 22-5 TD-INT ratio), and WR Mike Harley was the ACC’s 8th leading receiver (730 yards) in the regular season. Brevin Jordan has been one of the best TE’s in the country this year when healthy, and is coming off a career-best 140 yards receiving in his last game vs. UNC.
Although historically the Cowboys have struggled to defend the pass, their secondary has actually been strong this season in holding opponents to just 205.2 ypg through the air (35th nationally). However, OSU’s star in the back 4, cornerback Rodarius Williams (18 tackles, 3 PBU, FF), has opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft, so second team All-Big 12 safety Kolby Harvell-Peel (38 tackles, 2 INT, 3 PBU) will have to shoulder more of the load to slow down UM’s passing attack. Led by pass rushing LB Calvin Bundage (7 sacks), Oklahoma State has also featured a relentless pass rush in 2020, totaling 3.2 sacks per game (#11 in the country). That could be a problem for Miami, as their OL has been among the nation’s worst at protecting the passer (#100 with 2.9 sacks allowed per game). Still, King has been one of the nation’s best passers even under siege most of the year, so if he gets time, he could put up some big numbers against an undermanned OSU secondary.
Advantage: Miami
Ok. State Pass Offense vs. Miami Pass Defense
Oklahoma State has a slightly above average passing attack, clocking in at 58th nationally with 233.0 ypg. Sophomore QB Spencer Sanders has had an up and down year in 2020, starting the season by missing the first three games with an ankle injury before retuning to deliver just a 61.8% completion percentage and a 10-8 TD-INT ratio in 7 games. However, the Cowboys boast an All-American at wide receiver in Tylan Wallace, who is expected play in the bowl despite declaring for the NFL Draft. Wallace ranks #1 among Big 12 receivers with 97.4 yards per game this season and was just named first-team All-Big 12. With Wallace on the field acting as a big-play threat, the Miami secondary will have to spend the entire game on high alert, and OSU also has a nice complementary piece in WR Dillon Stoner, who is coming off a career-performance in his last game against Baylor in which he hauled in 8 catches for 247 yards and 3 TD’s.
UM has been slightly above average at defending the pass, as they are 60th in the country in passing defense and give up 226.8 ypg. Although Miami’s pass rush has been the strength of their defense in 2020 (29th in sacks per game with 2.8) and has helped out the secondary a ton, UM will be without starting DE’s Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche as they have opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft. Still, the Cowboys OL has been underwhelming this year (82nd with 2.4 sacks allowed per game), have dealt with a ton of injuries, and will be without their best lineman in LT Teven Jenkins, who also opted out of the bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft. Miami’s secondary struggled mightily defending the pass and covering UNC star receiver Dyami Brown in their last game without Al Blades (out for season), so Wallace could be set for a field day if UM’s corners don’t get their act together in this one.
Advantage: Ok. State
Miami Special Teams vs. Ok. State Special Teams
Oklahoma State had one of the best kickers in the country this season in sophomore Alex Hale (93.3% on FG’s), but he has missed the last few games with injury and is not expected to play in the bowl. His replacement, redshirt freshman Ben Pohl, has been shaky in converting just 3 of 6 kicks. Sophomore punter Tom Hutton has had a below average season punting the ball for the Cowboys, averaging just 40.4 ypp.
On the flip side, Miami has arguably the best specialists duo in college football with Ray Guy finalist P Louis Hedley (3rd nationally at 47.2 ypp), and Lou Groza finalist K Jose Borregales, who has had an incredible debut at Miami in 2020 (90.0% on FG’s). Despite their success in the kicking game, UM has really struggled to find an impact returner this year, although OSU does not have anyone of note returning kicks eithers.
Advantage: Miami
Roster Notes
Ok. State players recruited by Miami (0): None
Miami players recruited by Ok. State (6): QB Tate Martell, S Bubba Bolden, TE Will Mallory, QB Tyler Van Dyke, LB Tirek Austin-Cave, LB Corey Flagg
Ok. State players from South Florida (0): None
Series History
**Miami won the only game played between these two schools in blowout fashion, defeating the Cowboys 40-3 in the Orange Bowl back in 1991.
Last Time They Played
**RB Martin Patton led the way for the Hurricanes in the romp over the Cowboys in 1991, rushing for 2 TD’s on the day. UM’s offense also got scores from Stephen McGuire, Lamar Thomas, and Donnell Bennett on their way to a 40-point afternoon, while Carlos Huerta nailed two FG’s to cap the scoring. The Canes’ defense was ferocious in holding OSU to just 3 points in the win as well.
**After the 40-3 victory, the two schools went in completely opposite directions, as the Canes would later go on to cap off their undefeated season by winning their fourth national title, while Oklahoma State finished the year winless at 0-10.
Head-to-Head
Miami Rush Offense vs. Ok. State Rush Defense
Miami’s running game has been pretty bad most of the season, but a few big games early in the year leveled out their numbers to 65th nationally of 127 FBS teams with 163.2 rushing ypg. Miami’s push up front has been underwhelming at best in 2020, leading to a ton of negative runs from Cam’Ron Harris (4.8 ypc, 9 TD’s), and the Canes rely more on breaking a big play rather than a consistent rushing attack. Still, QB D’Eriq King continues to churn up grass with his legs (52.0 rushing yards per game), and has progressed from scrambles and designed draws to consistently running more zone reads to help out the Miami rushing game.
Oklahoma State’s run defense is slightly above average at 60th nationally in allowing 160.5 ypg. OSU’s LB play has had a productive 2020, as their two top tacklers are LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (76 tackles) and LB Malcom Rodriguez (73 tackles). Combined, the duo also has 9 TFL and 5 sacks. UM’s running game has been very inconsistent overall this season, so it’s hard to know what to expect against a competent run D like the Cowboys have, but they’ll hope for a big run or two from Harris or King to get them going.
Advantage: Even
Ok. State Rush Offense vs. Miami Rush Defense
Oklahoma State bases their entire offense off their running game, as they have recorded 194.7 ypg to slot in as the nation’s #36 rushing attack. It’s no small detail then that Chuba Hubbard, considered one of the nation’s best backs, will sit this bowl out to prepare for the NFL Draft. Usual backup LD Brown has missed the past three games with injury and is considered questionable for the matchup tomorrow. If the Cowboys are down to their third RB, it won’t be too much of a problem, as Dezmon Jackson has performed well in rushing for 391 yards (5.7 ypc) and 4 TD’s in three starts in 2020. QB Spencer Sanders also pitches in 32 ypg on the ground and is a threat to beat you with his legs.
Of course, the Canes are coming off a historically bad game on the ground after giving up 554 yards to UNC in their last contest. That one game actually moved them back from the nation’s #42 run defense to #83 (180.6 ypg), quite a one week tumble after 10 games played. Both Miami’s interior DL and LB unit were taken to school against the Tar Heels, and while OSU is not on the same level running the ball as UNC, they are still very good, so it’s hard to have much confidence in this run D heading into the bowl. Miami’s one potential saving grace could be that their younger linebackers are expected to get more burn than ever before in this game, replacing some very underwhelming veterans.
Advantage: Ok. State
Miami Pass Offense vs. Ok. State Pass Defense
Despite some lackluster efforts earlier in the year, UM’s pass game rebounded to finish the regular season in the top fourth of the country in 2020, coming in at 30th nationally with 269.4 ypg. Miami has shown the ability to be both efficient and explosive at times behind the arm of King (63.5% completions, 8.2 ypa, 22-5 TD-INT ratio), and WR Mike Harley was the ACC’s 8th leading receiver (730 yards) in the regular season. Brevin Jordan has been one of the best TE’s in the country this year when healthy, and is coming off a career-best 140 yards receiving in his last game vs. UNC.
Although historically the Cowboys have struggled to defend the pass, their secondary has actually been strong this season in holding opponents to just 205.2 ypg through the air (35th nationally). However, OSU’s star in the back 4, cornerback Rodarius Williams (18 tackles, 3 PBU, FF), has opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft, so second team All-Big 12 safety Kolby Harvell-Peel (38 tackles, 2 INT, 3 PBU) will have to shoulder more of the load to slow down UM’s passing attack. Led by pass rushing LB Calvin Bundage (7 sacks), Oklahoma State has also featured a relentless pass rush in 2020, totaling 3.2 sacks per game (#11 in the country). That could be a problem for Miami, as their OL has been among the nation’s worst at protecting the passer (#100 with 2.9 sacks allowed per game). Still, King has been one of the nation’s best passers even under siege most of the year, so if he gets time, he could put up some big numbers against an undermanned OSU secondary.
Advantage: Miami
Ok. State Pass Offense vs. Miami Pass Defense
Oklahoma State has a slightly above average passing attack, clocking in at 58th nationally with 233.0 ypg. Sophomore QB Spencer Sanders has had an up and down year in 2020, starting the season by missing the first three games with an ankle injury before retuning to deliver just a 61.8% completion percentage and a 10-8 TD-INT ratio in 7 games. However, the Cowboys boast an All-American at wide receiver in Tylan Wallace, who is expected play in the bowl despite declaring for the NFL Draft. Wallace ranks #1 among Big 12 receivers with 97.4 yards per game this season and was just named first-team All-Big 12. With Wallace on the field acting as a big-play threat, the Miami secondary will have to spend the entire game on high alert, and OSU also has a nice complementary piece in WR Dillon Stoner, who is coming off a career-performance in his last game against Baylor in which he hauled in 8 catches for 247 yards and 3 TD’s.
UM has been slightly above average at defending the pass, as they are 60th in the country in passing defense and give up 226.8 ypg. Although Miami’s pass rush has been the strength of their defense in 2020 (29th in sacks per game with 2.8) and has helped out the secondary a ton, UM will be without starting DE’s Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche as they have opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL Draft. Still, the Cowboys OL has been underwhelming this year (82nd with 2.4 sacks allowed per game), have dealt with a ton of injuries, and will be without their best lineman in LT Teven Jenkins, who also opted out of the bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft. Miami’s secondary struggled mightily defending the pass and covering UNC star receiver Dyami Brown in their last game without Al Blades (out for season), so Wallace could be set for a field day if UM’s corners don’t get their act together in this one.
Advantage: Ok. State
Miami Special Teams vs. Ok. State Special Teams
Oklahoma State had one of the best kickers in the country this season in sophomore Alex Hale (93.3% on FG’s), but he has missed the last few games with injury and is not expected to play in the bowl. His replacement, redshirt freshman Ben Pohl, has been shaky in converting just 3 of 6 kicks. Sophomore punter Tom Hutton has had a below average season punting the ball for the Cowboys, averaging just 40.4 ypp.
On the flip side, Miami has arguably the best specialists duo in college football with Ray Guy finalist P Louis Hedley (3rd nationally at 47.2 ypp), and Lou Groza finalist K Jose Borregales, who has had an incredible debut at Miami in 2020 (90.0% on FG’s). Despite their success in the kicking game, UM has really struggled to find an impact returner this year, although OSU does not have anyone of note returning kicks eithers.
Advantage: Miami
Roster Notes
Ok. State players recruited by Miami (0): None
Miami players recruited by Ok. State (6): QB Tate Martell, S Bubba Bolden, TE Will Mallory, QB Tyler Van Dyke, LB Tirek Austin-Cave, LB Corey Flagg
Ok. State players from South Florida (0): None
Series History
**Miami won the only game played between these two schools in blowout fashion, defeating the Cowboys 40-3 in the Orange Bowl back in 1991.
Last Time They Played
**RB Martin Patton led the way for the Hurricanes in the romp over the Cowboys in 1991, rushing for 2 TD’s on the day. UM’s offense also got scores from Stephen McGuire, Lamar Thomas, and Donnell Bennett on their way to a 40-point afternoon, while Carlos Huerta nailed two FG’s to cap the scoring. The Canes’ defense was ferocious in holding OSU to just 3 points in the win as well.
**After the 40-3 victory, the two schools went in completely opposite directions, as the Canes would later go on to cap off their undefeated season by winning their fourth national title, while Oklahoma State finished the year winless at 0-10.
