25 Questions From the Cradle

 What is their body of work?

For most of my life, Miami was the landmark program in the MAC.  They were just good every year, it seemed.  After Terry Hoeppner and Big Ben left, they wandered into the wilderness. They've restored credibility to the program under Chuch Martin, who is 38-28 (58%) in MAC competition as the Miami Coach.

They are 4-1 this year. They lost to the other Miami, and then beat UMass, UC, Delaware State and Kent.  They are positioned to make a run in the MAC East.

This is the 76th time we have played Miami.  The teams have split the last 10 games--the 10th game in that sequence was the Fog Bowl. BG won 17-13 in BG last year (BG game notes list the game as being in Oxford).

Miami is a 9.5 point favorite.

How experienced are they?

They have 25 juniors and above on the roster, which is on the low side. 

Who are their national leaders?

Graham Nicholson is one of 18 kickers in FBS to have not missed a FG.

Yahsyn McKee is #14 in passes defended

Brett Gabbert is #5 in yards per completion and #20 in passing efficiency

Gage Larvadain is #8 in receiving yards per game, #5 in yards per possession and #18 in punt returns

Alec Bevelhimer is #8 in punting

What is their turnover ratio? 

They are even.  5 going in and out.

Offense

How is their QB play? 

Their QB is really good.  Brett Gabbert, who did not play in the game last year.  He's completed 59%, 10 TD over 3 INT with an eye-popping, nationally-ranked 17 yards per completion. Not much running.

What is their scoring and yards per play

They are #51 in the nation, scoring 32 a game. They are #17 in the nation in yards per play at 7.1.  Coach mentioned that they like to run the play clock WAY down...the are #118 in total plays. 

Can they run the ball?

They run for 5.2 yards per carry. That's #26 in the nation. Their lead back averages 4.8 per carry.

Do they pass the ball?

As mentioned, very good passing.  Not the greatest percentage, but big yards per completion. Gage Larvadain, their WR, is a transfer from SE LA.  He's dangerous with the ball in his hands.

How is their run/pass balance?

They run on 62% of their plays, which is a very run-focused

Do they convert on 3rd Down, 

Not great, 37% which is #94.

Do they score in Red zone

4.5 points per trip, which is not great.  They have 10 TDs in 15 trips.

Do they protect the QB?

They do not.  Sacks on 9.8% of their attempts.

Defense:

Topline: Scoring and yards per play

They allow 23 a game and that's #49 in the country. 

Do they defend the run effectively?

They are hard to run against, at 3.8 yards per carry, #52 in the country.

Can they be passed on?

They are average at #76 in the country. They allow 63% completions, 12 per reception and 7 TDs over 4 INT.

Do they get off the field on 3rd down?

They allow 37% which is #56 in the country.

Do they defend in the red zone?

They are really good in the red zone, allowing 3.9 points per trip.  7 TDs on 17 trips.

Do they pressure the QB?

Decently, sacks on 7.7% of passing attempts.

Special Teams:

Punting?

Kicking game is always good.  They are #7 in net punting.  No blocks, no TDs.  8 inside 20 against 2 touchbacks.

Punt Return?

Gage Larvadain is nationally ranked, as noted.  No TDs, no blocks.

Placekicking? 

Nicholson is 9-9, with 5 over 40.  He is a bomber.  No blocks, they have blocked one of the opponent FGs.

Kickoff? 

Teams start on the 24.

Kickoff Return?

This is pretty good, they start on the 29.

Intangible Miscellany

So the big question, from the moment the final whistle blew at Bobby Dodd, was whether BG could build on the upset or not.  In the past, they have not.  To his credit, Coach walked to the podium and said the same thing.  Today, it is a chance for the program to define itself.  There is a much easier set of games coming up.  We have seen that we are capable of playing well enough to win this one, but that;s what it will take.  Miami is better than OU on offense and not as good on defense, but plenty good to be dangerous.

BG will need to do everything well.  A balanced offense, eat clock and get the Redhawks off the field consistently.  Take care of the ball and make more big plays.  You want to be a championship team--this is the type of game they win.