Champs Sports Bowl Betting

No. 14 Miami Hurricanes (9-3) vs. No. 24 Wisconsin Badgers (9-3)
Opening Line: Miami -3 / Wisconsin +3
Time: 8 PM EST Tuesday December 29, 2009 on ESPN

In the Champs Bowl the 14th ranked Miami Hurricanes and emerging star QB Jacory Harris take on the 24th ranked Wisconsin Badgers and their solid defense. Both teams finished the season well, as the Badgers won 3 of their last 4 games and the Canes won their last 2 games, including an impressive 31-10 win over South Florida in their season finale.

This may be a very close game, as the match up between Miami and Wisconsin is pretty even, as each team averaged about 30 points per game and each has a defense ranked in the top 25. With the game being held in Orlando, Florida the Hurricanes may have a bit of a home field advantage. This season Miami was 3-1 against ranked teams and Wisconsin was 0-2 against teams ranked in the top 25.

This season Wisconsin was 5-6 ATS and Miami was 6-5 ATS.

Both teams won their last game of the season, as Miami beat South Florida 31-10 and Wisconsin beat Hawaii 51-10.

Miami is led by QB Jacory Harris (3,164 yds 23 TD), who had solid numbers this season and a couple of legit targets, but he needs to not turn the ball over in this game. Harris did have 23 TD's this season, but he was also tied for the lead in the nation with 17 INT's. Miami has a decent rushing offense led by the RB duo of Graig Cooper (666 yds 3 TD) and Damien Berry (587 yds 8 TD). Harris may have a big game, as even though the Badgers have the 19th ranked defense they are much better at defending the run than the pass. Wisconsin did rank 21st in the nation with 32 sacks this season so the Miami offensive line has to have a good game and give Harris protection.

Wisconsin has the nation's 34th ranked offense led by QB Scott Tolzien (2,445 16 TD 10 INT). However, the Badgers' strength is running the ball with Big 10 Offensive Player of the Year RB John Clay (1,396 yds 16 TD). If Miami an their 25th ranked defense and force Tolzien to beat them with his arm they are in good shape. However, Tolzien does have a couple of solid targets and the Maimi defense only ranked 65th in sacks this season so he may have time in the pocket. If Clay has a big game Wisconsin has a great chance to win, as it will help keep the offense of Miami on the sidelines.