Written by Darrell Wilkinson
The Miami Beach Bowl will be played at Marlins park which is usually reserved for Baseball, but on Dec 22nd Football will be played within the ballparks walls. Independents BYU(8-4) square off against a surging Memphis(9-3) Tigers team that have been the victors of their last 6 games. BYU is enjoying a 4 game win streak, it's most recent victory a pretty impressive 42-35 taming of Cal.
The Memphis Tigers representing the AAC as part of a 3 way tie for champion, secured the most wins this season that they've had since 1963 when they went undefeated and are surely surging into a tough matchup as BYU has claimed wins against Texas, Cal, and Virginia. While the Tigers most impressive win was arguably Cincinnati. Memphis, in order to secure victory is going to need their sophomore quarterback Paxton Lynch to be the force that he's been. At 6'7" 230 lbs he can blast through for a short first down or touchdown. With 18 pass touchdowns and 10 on the ground the offense clearly runs through the guy under center. Lynch needs one of his weapons to step up as nobody has really emerged all season as a go-to target. No receiver has more then 3 touchdowns and it shows but if Brandon Hayes or Keiwone Malone can raise their game, it'll be a battle the whole way.
Brigham Young University represents no conference, just like a strong woman that "doesn't need a man" they are independent. On the Football field they are a much more balanced offense and the defense can be a bit questionable at times. The defense can hold a team like Texas to 7 one day and give up 42 to Nevada another. The key for the Cougars in this game is how many points their defense gives up. BYU is 2-4 when they give up 30 or more points. Offensively, I have faith that Quarterback Christian Stewart and a much more balanced attack can score on the Memphis defense which is 22nd in total defense in the nation. Mitch Matthews is Christian Stewart's go-to guy as a receiver and if he has a big game it could earn his team a bowl victory.
The key in this game is the passing attack of both teams. Both teams rank in the top 25 in rush defense so this game will be win through the air. BYU has a more efficient quarterback in my opinion and Memphis has the more dynamic and explosive guy. I see the Memphis Tigers scoring more then 30 points and defeating BYU with Lynch under center. Memphis Tigers 42- BYU Cougars 35. It's most certainly not going to be a baseball score.
BYU and Memphis play Dec 22nd at Marlins Park in beautiful Miami, Florida at 2:00pm/EST
- Darrell Wilkinson TheSkyBoat.com
- Twitter: @Darrell_Canes
The Memphis Tigers representing the AAC as part of a 3 way tie for champion, secured the most wins this season that they've had since 1963 when they went undefeated and are surely surging into a tough matchup as BYU has claimed wins against Texas, Cal, and Virginia. While the Tigers most impressive win was arguably Cincinnati. Memphis, in order to secure victory is going to need their sophomore quarterback Paxton Lynch to be the force that he's been. At 6'7" 230 lbs he can blast through for a short first down or touchdown. With 18 pass touchdowns and 10 on the ground the offense clearly runs through the guy under center. Lynch needs one of his weapons to step up as nobody has really emerged all season as a go-to target. No receiver has more then 3 touchdowns and it shows but if Brandon Hayes or Keiwone Malone can raise their game, it'll be a battle the whole way.
Brigham Young University represents no conference, just like a strong woman that "doesn't need a man" they are independent. On the Football field they are a much more balanced offense and the defense can be a bit questionable at times. The defense can hold a team like Texas to 7 one day and give up 42 to Nevada another. The key for the Cougars in this game is how many points their defense gives up. BYU is 2-4 when they give up 30 or more points. Offensively, I have faith that Quarterback Christian Stewart and a much more balanced attack can score on the Memphis defense which is 22nd in total defense in the nation. Mitch Matthews is Christian Stewart's go-to guy as a receiver and if he has a big game it could earn his team a bowl victory.
The key in this game is the passing attack of both teams. Both teams rank in the top 25 in rush defense so this game will be win through the air. BYU has a more efficient quarterback in my opinion and Memphis has the more dynamic and explosive guy. I see the Memphis Tigers scoring more then 30 points and defeating BYU with Lynch under center. Memphis Tigers 42- BYU Cougars 35. It's most certainly not going to be a baseball score.
BYU and Memphis play Dec 22nd at Marlins Park in beautiful Miami, Florida at 2:00pm/EST
- Darrell Wilkinson TheSkyBoat.com
- Twitter: @Darrell_Canes