Miami Hurricanes Keys to Victory vs Temple Owls
Article photo of Francisco Mauigoa; photo credit to Brian Smith
The Miami Hurricanes have one of the hottest offenses in college football and they will have a strong chance to hang points on a struggling Owls defense. Here are Miami's keys to victory for this Saturday.
Dominate on the ground.
With the potential for bad weather looming, the Hurricanes and Owls may be limited on their passing game. However, both squads have an efficient running game. Miami will likely win this game, but if it struggles to establish the run in inclement weather, the windy and rainy conditions could put a damper on its chances.
The Hurricanes have a well-rounded attack with Ajay Allen, Don Chaney Jr., Henry Parrish Jr. and true freshman Mark Fletcher Jr., who sat out last week due to a concussion. If Fletcher is ready to go against Temple, he will add an element of power to Miami's run game which will be beneficial on runs in between the tackles.
That weather is likely why the All Hurricanes staff predictions might be a bit different than Canes fans might normally expect. You can see those final score predictions here: Miami vs Temple.
If Miami can chew up chunks of yards on the ground, even with the bad weather, it will create chances for quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and the Miami receivers in the play-action game, which has been highly effective for the Canes.
Containing Temple's tailbacks.
Temple doesn't have the offensive firepower that the Hurricanes possess, but it has plenty of talent in its running back room. It hasn't been easy going for the Owls as they are only scoring 24 points per game. Nonetheless, Temple's running backs have been holding it down for the Owls.
Freshman running back Joquez Smith has been a pleasant surprise for Temple. Smith is averaging just short of eight yards per carry and has a touchdown on the year. Smith is on the lighter side for a running back (5-foot-8, 190 pounds), but he could be the fastest and shiftiest running back the Hurricanes have faced thus far.
Darvon Hubbard is quite the opposite. Hubbard (6-foot, 210 pounds) is much more of a downhill runner who is effective in between the tackles. The two make up a nice one-two punch for the Owls.
Generating turnovers.
Miami's defense is showing more discipline than last season. That said, the Canes need to be more successful in creating turnovers. Forcing only four turnovers through three games, the Canes are in the bottom half of the FBS in creating interceptions and fumble recoveries.
With the Hurricanes possessing several quality pass rushers like Jahfari Harvey, Nyjalik Kelly and Rueben Bain, Jr, look for several chances to force Owls quarterback E.J. Warner into poor decisions. That will lead to chances to add to the turnover total.
Miami has also made up for its lack of defensive turnovers by having a strong third-down defense against the run, led by middle linebacker Francisco Mauigoa and a host of Miami players that are doing an excellent job of rallying to the football. The Canes are limiting the number of big plays in the secondary as well.
However, if Miami wants to get ahead early in the game against the Owls, it will need to capitalize on chances to pick off passes, as well as knocking the football loose.
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