Inside The Numbers:  Miami

Man, I stayed up late playing Super Smash Bros, quite possibly the greatest party game ever.  We got in a HUGE argument over it, too.  My strategy was to try to steer clear of as much of the fighting as possible until only 1 player remained and then, most likely, to lose to him or her. 

I was often getting 2nd place with 0 kills.  The existential question became what's more important, the place or the number of kills.  My theory is that its all strategery and that the kills are ONLY important if two players tie.  Other players vociferously felt that I was a [pansy] and needed to [perform physically impossible act with myself].

But, hey, 2nd place, looking pretty good, don't it?  And that Luigi, pretty unstoppable in air. Jump and hold A.  Jump and hold A.

So, let me bottom line you here.  I'll bottom line you so hard you won't know what happened:  I'm writing this all up after getting like only 7 hours of sleep.  Bear with me if there are any mistakes.  Damn, I just bottom lined the hell out of you!  

And what do you think?  Is Super Smash Bros about the journey or the end result?  Place or kills?

Firstly, since many people haven't been following Miami all year long like we do our other opponents, here is their season schedule and results:

Game Results

So, it looks like Miami started off a bit rocky with a huge winning streak in ACC play.  But then they sort of faltered at the end there.  They only gave up 26 to Florida (at Florida), which is sort of an achievement.  Unfortunately, it does not appear that they faced Maryland, our only potential common opponent.  Oh well.  So, hopefully, we catch end of the season Miami and not middle of the season Miami.

Secondly, here are the stats.  All stats are from here. 

Here, we have the team stats.  Their offense does not seem to be wildly better than their defense.  Only scoring 3 more points per game.  Getting out rushed, but getting more passing yards.  Albeit, only by about 30 passing yards more per game.  They are only averaging .2 yards per play than they give up.  So, while this is a very successful team, they are not dominantly so.  Which would explain why they are in the Emerald Bowl. 

Note:  They actually average less per catch than their opponents.

Graig (not Craig) Cooper is their main back with Javarris James spelling him.  Both appear to be very solid backs.  Both are listed at about 200+ lbs.  Both average almost 5 yards a carry. 

Note that the 3rd listed back is Robert Marve.  He is actually one of their QBs.  He appears to be a bit of a running threat, rushing 59 times for 236 yards.  Albeit for only a 2 yard per play and 10 yard per game average.  But he is suspended for this game.  The other QB, Harris, doesn't appear to rush as much.  So, that takes that threat away from the Miami team.

Graig Cooper via grfx.cstv.com

Javarris James via grfx.cstv.com

Well, here are the afore-mentioned QBs. Marve actually appears to have the worse stats, even though he has thrown more.  Worse efficiency, worse percentage, fewer TDs in about 60 more attempts.  So, we'll be facing only Harris this game.  His efficiency is not great.  His completion is not great.  I predict we'll see a LOT of running.  Especially if it rains during the game.

Robert Marve via grfx.cstv.com

Jacory Harris via grfx.cstv.com

They sure do spread the ball around. Nobody with over 30 receptions?  Nobody with more than 30 yards a game?  I bet even Cal has better stats than that and our WRs were sub-par this year.  When you have a situation like this, it's near impossible to predict who will be the WR to focus on.  Johnson has the most receptions here, but only 30. Farquharson has the highest average, but only on 18 receptions.  Then again, the more passing oriented QB is the one who will be playing.  So, maybe they will focus on passing more.

But these numbers speak to the perhaps run heavy focus of their offense.  And their egalitarian method of choosing WR receptions.

Thearon Collier via grfx.cstv.com

Aldarius Johnson via grfx.cstv.com

Fudge, the D table screws it all up.  So, I had to (attempt to) take it out.  Oh well.  It deleted all my writing too.  Great.  Ugh.  Anyway, long story short, D doesnt look too fearsome.  Not a lot of sacks or TFLs.  Final Thoughts:  They'll prolly run a lot, plays to our strengths.  Hopefully, we can control the line of scrimmage and win this similar to the Oregon game.