West Virginia and Miami will be traveling to sunny Orlando for this year’s edition of the Russell Athletic Bowl. These two teams had elements of similarities in their seasons, especially when you look at how both teams started out versus where they were at the the end of the year.
West Virginia vs. Miami, Russell Athletic Bowl 2016: Time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
This matchup looks like it will make for a real good game.
Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images
Miami began the season 4-0, and the Hurricanes looked rejuvenated under first-year head coach Mark Richt. However, Miami lost a close 20-19 game to Florida State, which was won by a blocked extra point. After the loss to the Noles, the Canes proceeded to drop the next three games to North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Notre Dame. The Canes were able to end the season strong though with four straight wins to get to 8-4 on the year.
West Virginia meanwhile looked like legitimate Big 12 contenders until the Mountaineers got upset by Oklahoma State 37-20. WVU’s final 56-20 loss to Oklahoma put the team out of the Big 12 race.
How to watch, stream, and listen
TV: 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. The announcers are Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, and Tom Luginbill.
Radio: Miami and West Virginia
Online streaming: This game can be found at WatchESPN.
Spread: Miami is listed as a slim 1-point favorite.
Make friends: SB Nation’s State Of The U covers Miami, while The Smoking Musket covers WVU.
Three big things to know
1. This could potentially be Brad Kaaya’s final game: The Miami quarterback has the opportunity to declare for the NFL draft, given that he’s a junior. Kaaya’s name has been at the top of NFL draft boards since his arrival in Coral Gables, but an up-and-down last couple of years may have lowered his stock a bit.
2. West Virginia’s Skyler Howard’s numbers are impressive. The Mountaineers’ offense finished 35th in passing S&P+. Howard on the season threw for over 3,100 yards and 26 touchdowns, but he did have ten interceptions.
3. How will Mark Richt’s Year One end? Richt was one of the biggest hires during last year’s coaching search season, and although Miami finished with eight wins, some thought Richt’s first year could have made more of a splash. However, a bowl win would bring the Canes’ win total to nine on the season, which would definitely be considered successful for his first year.
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