Okay, so history is sort of irrelevant as these two teams still have to line up and play football. Washington State will throw the ball 75% of the time, but when they can run the ball 4 yards or more they are 4-0. Miami has all sorts of troubles stopping the run and I think that happens as Washington State will control this game chipping away. Miami is a defense that does not give up big plays, but will give up 5 yards anytime you want it and I donât see them coming up with a different game plan with an interim coach.
These two teams are actually quite similar in what they do well and what they donât do well and for Miami it comes down to the QB, but I donât see him having that great of a game against a Washington State defense that is much improved allowing 10 fewer points per game than the year before. Their pass defense has only allowed 11 TDâs this year and they rank top 40 in havoc rate. Kaya has been very good at not turning the ball over, but they are just 36% on third down, and 50% TDâs in the red zone where this game will likely be decided. Typically Iâd be concerned with TO margin here, but Miami is ranked 89th in sack % which means good things for this Cougars offense. Miami played similar type of team in Cinci as far as passing attempts and lost by 11. I think the Cougars get a big win for Mike Leach and their running game behind Gerrad Wicks, and Jamal Morron might be the reason why.
