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MIAMI, FL -30 over Louisiana Tech
The Miami Hurricanes, now ranked at #4 in the country are coming off another thrilling victory over Florida State, as Larry Coker's squad continued their mastery of the Seminoles. It was their sixth straight win over their in-state rivals, despite being shutout 10-0 entering the 4th quarter. Fresh off that OT victory, the ‘Canes remain at home to play Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs opened the 2004 campaign with two victories, getting by Nevada and most recently, UL-Lafayette. This is just the fourth all-time meeting between these two teams, with Miami claiming victory in the previous three. Last season, these two teams opened up their respective seasons against each another, with Miami cruising to a 48-9 victory in Shreveport. We look for a similar result here.
Long known as a passing team, the Bulldogs have gone the other way this year, as the team has relied heavily on the rushing talents of junior tailback Ryan Moats. The 5-9, 210-pounder has been unstoppable in his two outings, rushing for 257 yards each time out. While Moats has clearly been the straw that stirs the drink for La Tech, junior QB Donald Allen has been effective under center, despite limited throws. The offensive numbers will certainly be put to the test this week against a tremendous defense in Miami. For the Bulldogs, their “D” has played to mixed reviews. They have done well against the run, but the pass defense has suffered, as the Bulldogs have allowed 285 yards passing per game this season.
The Hurricanes turned it on when they had to last week against Florida State, but for a while, it looked as if they were headed for defeat. A great sight was the play of tailback Frank Gore, who has fought all the way back from two years of knee injuries to finally suit up and give the team production on the ground. In addition to scoring the winning TD in overtime, Gore was able to bang out 89 yards, on 18 carries against a very stout Florida State defense. He showed both speed and power in the game, and should only get stronger each time out as he gains more confidence. The play of quarterback Brock Berlin was inconsistent at best in 2003, and although he didn't light it up against the 'Noles, he did complete 20-of-36 passes for 255 yards and one TD. With a number of offensive threats, this is a Miami offense that should erupt soon, as we look for that to start on Saturday against La Tech. The Miami defense lost some serious talent last season, in the form of four first-round draft picks, but the unit that took the field last week didn't miss a beat. The Hurricanes swarmed the Seminoles after every snap, holding what was supposed to be a formidable FSU offense to just 165 yards of total offense. The rush defense was particularly impressive, limiting FSU's talented backfield to a mere 57 yards, on 1.6 yards per carry. The pass defense was strong as well, allowing just 108 yards in the game.
The Hurricanes made a huge splash in their ACC debut and with that now out of the way, the team can relax but we don’t expect a letdown here. With the La Tech pass defense being so weak, Berlin and the Miami passing attack should get rolling. While all eyes are on Moats, it'll be interesting to see how Frank Gore does. We look for him to have the best day of any back on the field on Saturday. Bulldog QB Allen has lived off his passes being set up by the Bulldog’s running game. That won’t happen here. Miami's defense will shut down Moats and put all the pressure on Allen. He has potential, but he will be way out of his league here. Meanwhile, the Miami offense will be able to do whatever it wants.
La Tech RB Ryan Moats steps into the Orange Bowl as college football's leading rusher thus far on the year. That will provide more than enough motivation for the Hurricanes “D” to show up and shut him down. That will leave the Bulldogs with little or no offense, and they are a poor 2-12-1 ATS when scoring less than 21 points. Miami was actually a slight home underdog against the Seminoles and they are 7-1 ATS off a SU dog win. During their current winning streak against FSU, they are 3-0 ATS after a SU & ATS win against the ‘Noles. They will cruise here as they bring the momentum from last week’s win into this game and blast the Bulldogs by more than 30 points.
The Miami Hurricanes, now ranked at #4 in the country are coming off another thrilling victory over Florida State, as Larry Coker's squad continued their mastery of the Seminoles. It was their sixth straight win over their in-state rivals, despite being shutout 10-0 entering the 4th quarter. Fresh off that OT victory, the ‘Canes remain at home to play Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs opened the 2004 campaign with two victories, getting by Nevada and most recently, UL-Lafayette. This is just the fourth all-time meeting between these two teams, with Miami claiming victory in the previous three. Last season, these two teams opened up their respective seasons against each another, with Miami cruising to a 48-9 victory in Shreveport. We look for a similar result here.
Long known as a passing team, the Bulldogs have gone the other way this year, as the team has relied heavily on the rushing talents of junior tailback Ryan Moats. The 5-9, 210-pounder has been unstoppable in his two outings, rushing for 257 yards each time out. While Moats has clearly been the straw that stirs the drink for La Tech, junior QB Donald Allen has been effective under center, despite limited throws. The offensive numbers will certainly be put to the test this week against a tremendous defense in Miami. For the Bulldogs, their “D” has played to mixed reviews. They have done well against the run, but the pass defense has suffered, as the Bulldogs have allowed 285 yards passing per game this season.
The Hurricanes turned it on when they had to last week against Florida State, but for a while, it looked as if they were headed for defeat. A great sight was the play of tailback Frank Gore, who has fought all the way back from two years of knee injuries to finally suit up and give the team production on the ground. In addition to scoring the winning TD in overtime, Gore was able to bang out 89 yards, on 18 carries against a very stout Florida State defense. He showed both speed and power in the game, and should only get stronger each time out as he gains more confidence. The play of quarterback Brock Berlin was inconsistent at best in 2003, and although he didn't light it up against the 'Noles, he did complete 20-of-36 passes for 255 yards and one TD. With a number of offensive threats, this is a Miami offense that should erupt soon, as we look for that to start on Saturday against La Tech. The Miami defense lost some serious talent last season, in the form of four first-round draft picks, but the unit that took the field last week didn't miss a beat. The Hurricanes swarmed the Seminoles after every snap, holding what was supposed to be a formidable FSU offense to just 165 yards of total offense. The rush defense was particularly impressive, limiting FSU's talented backfield to a mere 57 yards, on 1.6 yards per carry. The pass defense was strong as well, allowing just 108 yards in the game.
The Hurricanes made a huge splash in their ACC debut and with that now out of the way, the team can relax but we don’t expect a letdown here. With the La Tech pass defense being so weak, Berlin and the Miami passing attack should get rolling. While all eyes are on Moats, it'll be interesting to see how Frank Gore does. We look for him to have the best day of any back on the field on Saturday. Bulldog QB Allen has lived off his passes being set up by the Bulldog’s running game. That won’t happen here. Miami's defense will shut down Moats and put all the pressure on Allen. He has potential, but he will be way out of his league here. Meanwhile, the Miami offense will be able to do whatever it wants.
La Tech RB Ryan Moats steps into the Orange Bowl as college football's leading rusher thus far on the year. That will provide more than enough motivation for the Hurricanes “D” to show up and shut him down. That will leave the Bulldogs with little or no offense, and they are a poor 2-12-1 ATS when scoring less than 21 points. Miami was actually a slight home underdog against the Seminoles and they are 7-1 ATS off a SU dog win. During their current winning streak against FSU, they are 3-0 ATS after a SU & ATS win against the ‘Noles. They will cruise here as they bring the momentum from last week’s win into this game and blast the Bulldogs by more than 30 points.