5 Bold Predictions For Miami vs. South Carolina In Independence Bowl

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions For Miami vs. South Carolina In Independence Bowl

Independence Bowl Trophy Miami vs South Carolina — The Duck Commander Independence Bowl features two 6-6 teams with 10-2 talent. Freshman Brad Kaaya and junior Duke Johnson are two of the most exciting players in the ACC, and South Carolina features the SEC’s most prolific passer in Dylan Thompson. Neither of these high-pedigree teams want to finish 2014 with a losing record, but one of them will have to.

5. Brad Kaaya Will Pass For 300+ Yards

Brad Kaaya Miami Hurricanes Football Quarterback Number 15

5. Brad Kaaya Will Pass For 300+ Yards

Brad Kaaya Miami Hurricanes Football Quarterback Number 15 — South Carolina’s pass defense is not exactly tight, and with each game, freshman Brad Kaaya begins to embody the traits of an NFL prospect. Although the Hurricanes limped into the bowl season, Kaaya remained competitive and likely learned a lot from the losses. Expect to see a 2015 Kaaya preview in late 2014.

4. Duke Johnson Will Rush For 150+ Yards

Duke Johnson Miami Hurricanes Football Running Back

4. Duke Johnson Will Rush For 150+ Yards

Duke Johnson Miami Hurricanes Football Running Back — South Carolina is 109th against the run in the FBS, granting teams 214.4 yards per game on the ground. Junior Duke Johnson is hungry for a 100-yard game, a feat he hasn’t reached since Nov. 15. Look for these two tendencies to superimpose and for Johnson to explode for several second-level runs.

3. Dylan Thompson Will Pass For 350+ Yards

Dylan Thompson South Carolina Gamecocks Football Quarterback

3. Dylan Thompson Will Pass For 350+ Yards

Dylan Thompson South Carolina Gamecocks Football Quarterback — Enough talk about Kaaya and Johnson; Dylan Thompson, after all, was the SEC’s leading passer. Against an unproven Miami team whose defense only appears to show up against weak opponents, Thompson should have no problem finding his receivers accustomed to much more imposing secondaries than the Hurricanes have to offer.

2. Expect South Carolina To Jump Out Early

South Carolina Football Safety Brison Williams

2. Expect South Carolina To Jump Out Early

South Carolina Football Safety Brison Williams — This is Brad Kaaya’s first bowl game, and he’ll have to beat down the butterflies to get Miami in rhythm. I expect the Hurricanes to come out uncoordinated in the first quarter, and I expect the exact opposite from South Carolina. Look for the Gamecocks to establish control of the game as early as their first possession.

1. South Carolina Closes Out Year With A Win

Steve Spurrier South Carolina Football Head Coach

1. South Carolina Closes Out Year With A Win

Steve Spurrier South Carolina Football Head Coach — Miami is talented, but still inexperienced in big games. The Hurricanes have one quality win all year, and it was against Duke in their sweltering backyard at Sun Life stadium. All other tests were failed, losing to Louisville, Nebraska, Georgia Tech and Florida State. South Carolina will soon be added to this list.

Teams in this article »

South Carolina Gamecocks

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Miami (FL) Hurricanes

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