Walk-On’s Independence Bowl 2019- Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. Miami Hurricanes
C-USA Bulldogs Play ACC Hurricanes
Our 2019 Independence Bowl pick features Louisiana Tech vs. Miami. This Independence Bowl pick offers Miami at -6.0. The over/under on this game is 49.5. On December 26 at 4 p.m. the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl kicks off post-Christmas bowl action. The game will be played at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. There are two games that day. The second is the Quick Lane Bowl with the Pittsburgh Panthers and Eastern Michigan Eagles. Kickoff for that game on December 26 is 8 pm ET at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (9-3) earned a 6-3 record this season. That record tied the UAB Blazers for first in the West Division of C-USA. However, the Blazers won the division through the tie-breaker as the Blazers beat the Bulldogs in the regular season 20-14. The Miami Hurricanes (6-6) finished third in the ACC Coastal Division with a 4-4 conference record. The #24 Virginia Cavaliers took the division with a 6-2 mark.
2019 Independence Bowl Pick – Regular Season
LAT started their season with a 45-14 loss to the #10 Texas Longhorns. The Bulldogs then ran off eight-straight wins. That string included a 23-20 OT win over the Rice Owls. What followed those eight wins were two big losses to the Marshall Thundering Herd and UAB Blazers. Louisiana Tech finished the season with a 41-27 win over UTSA.
Our 2019 Independence Bowl pick notes that the Miami Hurricanes started their season at 3-3. Losses were 24-20 to #8 Florida, 28-25 to North Carolina, and 42-35 to Virginia Tech. In those six games, the Hurricanes posted one major win as they took down #20 Virginia 17-9. What followed were three more wins and three more losses. Miami’s final regular-season game was a loss. The Duke Blue Devils beat them 27-17.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. Miami Hurricanes – Stats
The Bulldogs are averaging 34.0 PPG, while the Hurricanes are putting 27.8 PPG on the scoreboard. Tech has been good for 445.2 offensive YPG with 167.9 YPG on the ground. They’re also posting 277.3 air YPG. Miami is putting up 378.9 offensive YPG with 257.2 in passing and 121.8 in rushing.
Louisiana Tech is allowing opponents 23.7 PPG. Miami is giving up 20.8 PPG. The Bulldogs are allowing 247.8 passing yards and 142.5 rushing yards per contest. The Miami D is a bit stingier as they’re giving up 307.6 total YPG. Of those yards, 109.7 per game are on the ground and 197.9 are in the air.
Louisiana Tech at Miami – Players
The Bulldogs have a good mix on offense, as both their air and ground games are solid. On defense, they lack a pass rush, but LAT does have a very fine secondary. The Hurricanes are deep at running back, and they offer a sound passing game. The Miami defense put a strong pass rush on the field.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
QB J’Mar Smith is completing 65.8% of his passes while accumulating 2,814 passing yards. He’s thrown 17 TD passes and four INTs. He’s been sacked 22 times. WR Griffin Hebert comes to this game with 28 receptions and a half-dozen TD catches. Three of wideout Malik Stanley’s 37 catches have gone for scores. Justin Henderson leads the team’s potent rush attack. He’s carried the ball 166 times for 967 yards and 15 TDs. Henderson is averaging 5.8 YPA.
Our 2019 Independence Bowl pick notes that on defense the LAT secondary is prime. They’ve grabbed 15 picks, running five back for scores. Other stats include 41 PD, 20 sacks, 12 FF with seven recovered. Corner Amik Robertson and safety L’Jarius Sneed are potent defenders. Robertson has defended 16 passes, grabbed five picks, and scored two TDs. Sneed has four PD, three picks, and one touchdown.
Miami Hurricanes
For the Hurricanes, freshman QB Jarren Williams has 2,093 passing yards, a 62.5% completion rate, and 19 TD passes. He’s tossed six picks and been sacked 32 times. Four pass catchers have grabbed 30 or more passes each, including WR K.J. Osborn. Osborn has 35 catches for 491 yards and five TDs. The rush attack is ably handled by the tandem of Deejay Dallas and Cam’ron Davis. In 115 attempts, Dallas has accumulated 693 yards and eight TDs while averaging 6.0 YPA> Davis, who’s rushed for 545 yards on 102 attempts, has crossed the goal line five times while averaging 5.3 YPA.
Miami brings a solid pass rush to the field. They have 40 sacks with Gregory Rousseau accumulating 14 QB bring downs and forcing two fumbles. The Hurricanes D also has 42 PD, nine INTs, and nine forced and recovered fumbles. LB Shaquille Quarterman leads the team in tackles with 47 solo tackles and 97 total tackles. He has also forced a fumble while recovering two.
Five Keys to the Game
Our 2019 Independence Bowl pick, sees the following items as being the keys to the game:
- Tech QB Smith could feel heat from Miami pass rush
- Miami QB Williams needs to navigate LAT’s tough secondary
- Hurricane running game has numerous options
- Bulldog D has scoring potential
- Both teams should score a good number of points.
Our 2019 Independence Bowl Pick
Our 2019 Independence Bowl pick likes Miami to win but Louisiana Tech to cover. This should be a back and forth game with various lead swings. In the end, we like the Bulldogs at +6.0. Also, we like the over in this contest. Look for 50 or more points be scored.
Be sure to read our December 24, 2019 SoFi Hawaii Bowl pick featuring Hawaii and BYU. The game will kick off at 8 pm ET. You can find connections to all of bowl picks on our College Football Bowl Picks 2019 – 2020 page.
Walk-On’s Independence Bowl Pick – Summary
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at +6.0 and over 49.5
