CFB Bowl Preview: Pop Tarts Bowl

By Max Dorsey

Bowl season rolls on with a top-25 matchup today between the Miami Hurricanes and the Iowa State Cyclones in the Pop-Tart Bowl. Bowl-mania has been nothing short of electric this season with shootouts, comebacks, and OT finishes. This game should continue the hype between some of the best teams in the country.

Where And When

This game will be played at Camping-World Stadium in Orlando, Florida at 3:30 pm EST. The game will be televised on ESPN, and Sky Sports for British viewers (8pm UK time).

Story So Far

Cam Ward’s Status

The Heisman finalist, and single-caller for the Hurricanes, last said he would play in the Pop-Tart Bowl at the Heisman Trophy presentation on December 14th. On Friday Hurricane’s Head Coach, Mario Cristobal said that it is in “Cam’s DNA” to play and compete. So barring something completely unexpected I expect Miami’s QB1 to be out there today.

Iowa State WRs are in

Iowa State might have the best receiver duo in the country with Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel who both eclipsed 1,000 yards this season. Both these players are expected to declare for the NFL draft, but both will be playing in the game today.

Line Movement

Iowa State opened as two-point favorites when this matchup was originally announced, but it has moved to Miami being four-point favorites. A full six-point swing is some pretty massive line movement and something to keep an eye on if you were looking to place a wager on this game.

X-Factors

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Iowa State

The X-Factor for the Cyclones is their pass defense. Miami was second in passing yards a game this season and can be lethal through the air. The Cyclones, however, had the third-best passing defense in terms of yards per game in the entire country this season. If Iowa State can manage to limit Cam Ward, they have a real shot in this game.

Miami

Miami’s X-Factor is half-back Damien Martinez. While Iowa State does have a top-ranked passing defense, their rushing defense was second worst in the Big 12 this season allowing 180 yards per game on the ground. While Miami loves to move the ball through the air, they are going need to rely on the run game against this Cyclone Defense. For Maimi to win this one, Damien Martnez is going to have to be effective on the ground.

Prediction

Both these teams will put up points but in the end, I think it’s going to come down to whether or not Miami can control the clock and run the ball effectively. Against this not-so-great Iowa State run defense, I believe the Hurricanes will have no problem doing so, and will come out on top as Pop-Tart Bowl Champions.

Score: Miami 35 Iowa State 27

MAX DORSEY

CFB, NFL Draft Analyst

A Floridian, Max is a Broadcast Digital Journalism student at Syracuse University – where he has previously been a recruiting and scouting intern for The Orange. Follow him on Twitter @maxdorsey44

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