Defenses take center stage at Peach BowlScouts, Inc.
With LSU matched up against Miami, the 2005 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will have a BCS-type feel. It will also feature two of the top defenses in college football.
Miami Offense vs. LSU Defense
Miami's offense has been streaky this season. Losing standout RB Tyrone Moss to a season-ending injury suffered against Virginia Tech was a blow to this unit, but Charlie Jones has rushed for an average of 81.3 yards on 20.3 carries per game since taking over in that game. Jones is more inconsistent in terms of his vision and decisiveness, but he does show an impressive combination of size and straight-line speed.
Miami has always been at its best when it establishes the run to set up the play-action passing series for QB Kyle Wright, but establishing Jones and the ground game will not be easy against a Tiger defense that ranks seventh in the nation versus the run. LSU's trio of LBs Cameron Vaughn, Ali Highsmith and Kenneth Hollis is impressive, but that group is made to look good thanks to the superior play of DTs Claude Wroten and Kyle Williams. If Miami's interior of OC Anthony Wollschlager and OG's Tony Tella and Tyler McMeans do not improve their play in this game, Wroten and Williams will single-handedly take things over.
Besides a setback against Georgia Tech, Wright's play throughout the second half of this season has been outstanding. In fact, over the course of the last three games, Wright has completed seven touchdown passes compared to just one interception. He must do a great job knowing where LSU's playmaking free safety LaRon Landry is at all times and can't afford to throw the ball up for grabs in this game. However, if he continues to exercise caution while spreading the ball around to his numerous weapons -- WR's Sinorice Moss, Ryan Moore, Lance Leggett and Darnell Jenkins, as well as TE Greg Olsen -- Wright could emerge as the biggest difference-maker by game's end.
LSU Offense vs. Miami Defense
The big question for coach Les Miles' team heading into this game will be the status of QB JaMarcus Russell, who suffered a separated shoulder in the team's loss to Georgia. The Tigers obviously want Russell as their starter but there have to be concerns regarding the deterioration of his play down the stretch this season. After throwing just five interceptions in his first nine outings this season, Russell threw four interceptions in the last three games. Russell possesses the athletic ability to neutralize Miami's swarming pass rush and he also has the arm strength to make some jaw-dropping downfield throws when on the run. However, his inconsistent recognition skills, erratic arm and tendency to force throws into coverage should be exploited by a Miami secondary that has combined for 11 interceptions this season.
The Tigers are extremely deep at wide receiver with Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis, Skyler Green and Xavier Carter, but the Hurricane's match up better than most with CBs Kelly Jennings, Marcus Maxey and Devin Hester, and safeties Brandon Meriweather, Kenny Phillips and Greg Threat.
The Tigers best chance to win this game will come on the ground. LSU struggled to run the football late in the season when Joseph Addai was hobbled due to injury, but Addai should be fresh and ready to carry a heavy load after nearly a month off. With RBs Addai, Justin Vincent and Shyrone Carey to split carries, LSU has the depth it needs in order to pound away on the ground versus Miami's undersized but athletic front. Miami's run defense ranks 15th in the nation, but it is a group that is slightly susceptible to a dedicated power-running attack. Miami's defensive linemen thrive on getting up the field and disrupting in the backfield, but occasionally they will get caught out of position. LSU will have trouble pass protecting against the likes of DEs Javon Nanton and Thomas Carroll, and DTs Baraka Atkins and Orien Harris if forced into many obvious passing situations, but its offensive line has the size up front to wear Miami down over time. That's why it may take 35-plus carries from the trio of Addai, Vincent and Carey for LSU to win this game.
Special Teams
Devin Hester typically gives Miami an automatic edge on special teams due to his explosiveness in the return game, but LSU's Skyler Green helps to even things out in that regard. Neither has been especially dangerous in the kickoff return game but Hester has been a bit more effective this season with an average of 14.2 yards per punt return (with one TD), compared to Green's average of 13.6 (with one TD).
LSU's advantage comes in the kicking game, thanks largely in part to kicker/punter Chris Jackson. The team ranks third nationally in net punting and Jackson has connected on 7-of-15 field goal attempts. Jackson has struggled a bit as a place kicker but so, too, has Miami's Jon Peattie, who missed two attempts in Miami's recent loss to Georgia Tech. Punter Brian Monroe has been solid with an average of 39.4 yards per attempt, but LSU has clearly been stronger in terms of covering punts and kickoffs this season.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Miami QB Kyle Wright vs. LSU FS LaRon Landry
2. Miami OGs Tony Tella and Tyler McMeans vs. LSU DTs Claude Wroten and Kyle Williams
3. LSU WR Dwayne Bowe vs. Miami CB Kelly Jennings
Scouts' Edge
The 2005 Peach Bowl will be a low-scoring affair featuring two of the best defenses that college football has to offer. The outcome, however, will be decided by quarterback play. Wright has gone through his fair share of peaks and valleys as a first-year starter this season, but he has made steady progress and -- most importantly -- has learned the value of ball security. Russell, on the other hand, has shown flashes of greatness (see Alabama and Vandy films) but he suffered through more meltdowns (see Tennessee, Arkansas and Georgia films) than Wright. Furthermore, with Russell's status up in the air following his injury in the SEC championship game, the slight edge has to go to Miami.
Prediction: Miami 23, LSU 17
With LSU matched up against Miami, the 2005 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl will have a BCS-type feel. It will also feature two of the top defenses in college football.
Miami Offense vs. LSU Defense
Miami's offense has been streaky this season. Losing standout RB Tyrone Moss to a season-ending injury suffered against Virginia Tech was a blow to this unit, but Charlie Jones has rushed for an average of 81.3 yards on 20.3 carries per game since taking over in that game. Jones is more inconsistent in terms of his vision and decisiveness, but he does show an impressive combination of size and straight-line speed.
Miami has always been at its best when it establishes the run to set up the play-action passing series for QB Kyle Wright, but establishing Jones and the ground game will not be easy against a Tiger defense that ranks seventh in the nation versus the run. LSU's trio of LBs Cameron Vaughn, Ali Highsmith and Kenneth Hollis is impressive, but that group is made to look good thanks to the superior play of DTs Claude Wroten and Kyle Williams. If Miami's interior of OC Anthony Wollschlager and OG's Tony Tella and Tyler McMeans do not improve their play in this game, Wroten and Williams will single-handedly take things over.
Besides a setback against Georgia Tech, Wright's play throughout the second half of this season has been outstanding. In fact, over the course of the last three games, Wright has completed seven touchdown passes compared to just one interception. He must do a great job knowing where LSU's playmaking free safety LaRon Landry is at all times and can't afford to throw the ball up for grabs in this game. However, if he continues to exercise caution while spreading the ball around to his numerous weapons -- WR's Sinorice Moss, Ryan Moore, Lance Leggett and Darnell Jenkins, as well as TE Greg Olsen -- Wright could emerge as the biggest difference-maker by game's end.
LSU Offense vs. Miami Defense
The big question for coach Les Miles' team heading into this game will be the status of QB JaMarcus Russell, who suffered a separated shoulder in the team's loss to Georgia. The Tigers obviously want Russell as their starter but there have to be concerns regarding the deterioration of his play down the stretch this season. After throwing just five interceptions in his first nine outings this season, Russell threw four interceptions in the last three games. Russell possesses the athletic ability to neutralize Miami's swarming pass rush and he also has the arm strength to make some jaw-dropping downfield throws when on the run. However, his inconsistent recognition skills, erratic arm and tendency to force throws into coverage should be exploited by a Miami secondary that has combined for 11 interceptions this season.
The Tigers are extremely deep at wide receiver with Dwayne Bowe, Craig Davis, Skyler Green and Xavier Carter, but the Hurricane's match up better than most with CBs Kelly Jennings, Marcus Maxey and Devin Hester, and safeties Brandon Meriweather, Kenny Phillips and Greg Threat.
The Tigers best chance to win this game will come on the ground. LSU struggled to run the football late in the season when Joseph Addai was hobbled due to injury, but Addai should be fresh and ready to carry a heavy load after nearly a month off. With RBs Addai, Justin Vincent and Shyrone Carey to split carries, LSU has the depth it needs in order to pound away on the ground versus Miami's undersized but athletic front. Miami's run defense ranks 15th in the nation, but it is a group that is slightly susceptible to a dedicated power-running attack. Miami's defensive linemen thrive on getting up the field and disrupting in the backfield, but occasionally they will get caught out of position. LSU will have trouble pass protecting against the likes of DEs Javon Nanton and Thomas Carroll, and DTs Baraka Atkins and Orien Harris if forced into many obvious passing situations, but its offensive line has the size up front to wear Miami down over time. That's why it may take 35-plus carries from the trio of Addai, Vincent and Carey for LSU to win this game.
Special Teams
Devin Hester typically gives Miami an automatic edge on special teams due to his explosiveness in the return game, but LSU's Skyler Green helps to even things out in that regard. Neither has been especially dangerous in the kickoff return game but Hester has been a bit more effective this season with an average of 14.2 yards per punt return (with one TD), compared to Green's average of 13.6 (with one TD).
LSU's advantage comes in the kicking game, thanks largely in part to kicker/punter Chris Jackson. The team ranks third nationally in net punting and Jackson has connected on 7-of-15 field goal attempts. Jackson has struggled a bit as a place kicker but so, too, has Miami's Jon Peattie, who missed two attempts in Miami's recent loss to Georgia Tech. Punter Brian Monroe has been solid with an average of 39.4 yards per attempt, but LSU has clearly been stronger in terms of covering punts and kickoffs this season.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Miami QB Kyle Wright vs. LSU FS LaRon Landry
2. Miami OGs Tony Tella and Tyler McMeans vs. LSU DTs Claude Wroten and Kyle Williams
3. LSU WR Dwayne Bowe vs. Miami CB Kelly Jennings
Scouts' Edge
The 2005 Peach Bowl will be a low-scoring affair featuring two of the best defenses that college football has to offer. The outcome, however, will be decided by quarterback play. Wright has gone through his fair share of peaks and valleys as a first-year starter this season, but he has made steady progress and -- most importantly -- has learned the value of ball security. Russell, on the other hand, has shown flashes of greatness (see Alabama and Vandy films) but he suffered through more meltdowns (see Tennessee, Arkansas and Georgia films) than Wright. Furthermore, with Russell's status up in the air following his injury in the SEC championship game, the slight edge has to go to Miami.
Prediction: Miami 23, LSU 17
