Miami vs. Rutgers: 2023 Pinstripe Bowl game prediction, pick

Predictions for Miami vs. Rutgers in the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl game

The second half of College Football Bowl Season gets underway on Thursday from the Big Town as Yankee Stadium plays host to the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl game featuring a notable Big Ten vs. ACC matchup on the diamond. Rutgers travels across the Hudson to take on Miami in the latest installment of college football's postseason.

• Miami: Hurricanes started 4-0 but lost five of the final eight games, finishing 9th in the ACC standings
• Rutgers: Scarlet Knights started 6-2 but lost the last four straight games, and ranked 105th in scoring offense nationally

Miami vs. Rutgers prediction, preview

When: Thurs., Dec. 28
Time: 2:15 p.m. Eastern
TV: ESPN network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

2023 Pinstripe Bowl game odds

Courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: Rutgers -2
Total: 41.5 points
Moneyline: MIA +105 | RU -125
FPI pick: Miami 65.8% to win

What to watch for

1. Battle at the line. Rutgers is among the nation's better protecting lines, allowing 14 sacks on the year, ranking 12th nationally. But the Hurricanes have a tendency to generate enough pressure up front, ranking 19th with 35 sacks recorded and can present a variety of blitz packages to throw quarterback Gavin Wimsatt, not the most accurate passer regardless of pressure, off his rhythm.

2. Rutgers on the ground. Scarlet Knights tailback Kyle Monangai led the Big Ten with 1,099 rushing yards this season, and he lines up against a Miami run defense that was No. 1 in the ACC and 10th nationally, allowing 97 yards on the ground per game and just 3.17 yards per carry on average from opposing backs.

3. Miami's losses. Starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke entered the transfer portal and reserve Emory Williams is out with an injury, meaning the Hurricanes are going with third-string Jacurri Brown, who will attempt his first pass this season in this game. Expect an emphasis on the Canes' ground attack behind Mark Fletcher and Henry Parrish, a duo that is over 5 ypc but could struggle finding lanes against a well-disciplined Rutgers midfield defense with linebackers who can limit gains.

Rutgers vs. Miami prediction

Miami has won two bowl games since 2005 and looking over the roster turnover and personnel losses Mario Cristobal's team is undergoing right now, that trend is unlikely to change this year. It's statement game time for Rutgers, which can take a giant leap forward under Greg Schiano with a productive ground attack and a defensive front seven that can make the difference late in the game.

College Football HQ picks...

• Rutgers wins 24-21
• Covers the spread
• And hits the over

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