The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (0-1) will head south to Hard Rock Stadium to face the Miami Hurricanes (1-0) on Saturday, September 6th at 7pm. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Miami a 99% favorite on the ESPN matchup predictor.
BCU is coming off of a 42-9 drubbing at the hands of the Florida International University Panthers while Miami upset the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 27-24
on Sunday night.The Doppler
The Doppler section will feature the stats that I think typically determine the winner of a football
game. First, the SP+ rankings have been updated after Week One. Miami is currently 10th overall in SP+ while the ‘Canes retain their no.1 spot in offensive SP+. Miami’s defense is 47th in FBS while the kicking game is 19th. After knocking off Notre Dame, The U moved up four spots in the SP+ overall rankings.
On money downs (3rd and 4th down) BCU finished 5-of-18 against FIU while the Panthers were 9-of-16. Against Notre Dame Miami finished 6-of-16 but I would suspect a much easier go for the ‘Canes against an FCS opponent instead of a top-10 defense.
In Week One, the Wildcats were flagged for 75-yards while the ‘Canes were flagged for 51-yards vs. The Irish. BCU only turned the ball over once against FIU and forced one fumble for a recovery, while Miami came away +2 in turnover margin against the Irish on Sunday.
BCU finished 3-of-3 on field goal attempts, and punted for 42.8 yards per kick but their return game was woefully bad. The ‘Cats also allowed a 33-yard kick return so expect Keelan Marion to have a big one in Week Two.
The Film
Since the season is nice and new and the transfer portal is a disaster we’re going with the BCU vs. FIU game from Week One for the film. FIU dominated the Wildcats, 42-9, after a 15 minute rain delay. I’ve given you the important data in The Doppler so check there for the game defining stats.
BCU OFFENSE
The Wildcats used two QB’s against FIU with Timmy McClain and Cam’Ron Ransom both taking turns behind center. The duo finished with 241 yards on 6.2 yards per attempt with zero touchdowns or interceptions.
On the ground BCU did find some success against Willie Simmons’ FIU defense. Marqui Johnson and Ali Scott Jr. rushed for 8.4 and 5.8 yards per carry, respectively.
BCU does have ‘big play’ energy with four receivers averaging double-digit yards per catch stats against FIU. Javon Ross averaged 18.2 yards per catch including a 59-yard long. The ‘Cats O-Line allowed only two sacks but did surrender six tackles for loss.
Above– Middle of Field Open (MOFO) is a great time to attack the goal post with a post route or a 3-vert concept where the slot works between the safeties.
Above– The FCS has ballers, too. OJ Frederique better get his head and eyes around once the WR’s eyes explode into hubcaps.
Above– BCU’s QB under-threw this ball terribly but the ‘Cats skills are making some pretty wild catches against FIU.
Above– I love option plays because they make defenses play sound football. Here BCU is running inverted veer. I’ve circled the read which is the EMOL (end man on line). If the read sits the QB should handoff, if the read squeezes (comes inside) he should handoff here as well. If the EMOL works outside to the back the Q should pull and keep inside behind the pulling guard.
The first time I saw inverted veer or “power read” was in TCU film when Andy Dalton was their QB. You can read more about power read on smartfootball.com.
BCU DEFENSE
The Wildcats defense did a solid job against the FIU passing attack holding the Panthers QB’s without a TD, and to only 6.7 yards per pass attempt. FIU did have four receivers hit the double-digit yards per catch mark as well, including 23.5 per grab from Eric Nelson.
The run game is where FIU went off, and I personally want to see Miami absolutely dominate BCU on the ground. The Panthers scored all six of their TD’s on the ground while rushing for 5.9 yards per carry (zero sacks allowed). Six different Panthers had runs of 10-or-more yards on the evening as well.
The BCU defense came away with zero sacks and six TFL’s with three PBU’s against FIU.
Above– BCU lines up against FIU’s 2×2 11 personnel (one back, one tight end) look in a standard 4-2-5 defense with two high safeties. At the top of the screen the CB is using a side shuffle bail technique to the field side.
Above– So what’s open against the BCU 4-2-5 defense? Deep outs worked for FIU. If Carson Beck wants to be selected in the top-5 he’ll need to flash the ability to hit the deep out.
Above– I want to see even more pulling from Miami’s guards. I know they’ll probably stick to vanilla against BCU, but man get those guys like Okunlola, McCoy and Rodriguez moving and in space.
Above– BCU gets caught coming inside and not feeling the kick and wrap coming. The BSG doesn’t even have to kick, he just logs the DE and the BST wraps up to the LB for a big play. Again, Miami probably won’t pull a ton in a cupcake game but I want to see some big hits vs. USF at least from the OL on pulls.
Above– One thing Beck will fail to do that Cam Ward was capable of is freeze an EMOL on read option. No one thinks Beck will pull and run, but this could be a great game to get at least one on film.
The Forecast
The Canyonero Key main theme for the game is that Bully Ball should win just fine against BCU. The Canyonero Keys are:
1- Just win, baby. I’m not sure what would have to happen to lose to a bad FCS team like Bethune-Cookman but it won’t happen anyway.
2- Backup QB’s galore. It’s not a key to victory, but it’ll show just how boatracey this one gets. I want to see both Luke Nickel and Judd Anderson split the fourth quarter.
3- Girard Pringle Jr. gets major burn as well. Pringle is the new freshman RB and this is the perfect scenario to save from wear and tear while getting Pringle important playing time.
Prediction: Miami is going to steamroll BCU, even with the backups in. Miami by 40.
