D’Eriq King: Team who wants to be there will win Cheez-it bowl
Speaking with reporters ahead of the Cheeze-it Bowl Miami Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King said the team that wants to be there, wants to play and has a lot of energy is the one most likely to win the game.
Quarterback D’Eriq King said in a zoom meeting with reporters ahead of the Cheez-it Bowl on Tuesday that the team that wants to be there, that wants to play and has a lot of energy, that’s the team most likely to win the game. Flat performances in the 2019 Independence Bowl and against UNC to end the season doomed Miami.
Miami was infamously shutout 14-0 in the Independence Bowl loss to Louisiana Tech last season and North Carolina literally ran around, through and over Miami on their way to 554 rushing yards in a 62-26 victory over the Hurricanes earlier this month. The loss to the Tar Heels cost Miami an Orange Bowl berth.
The game against Oklahoma State in the Cheez-it Bowl is a chance for Miami to build towards next season. The decision by King to return for the 2021 season has Miami trending to be a top 10 team in the 2021 preseason. The Hurricanes have not started the same quarterback in consecutive season openers since 2017-18.
Other than the teams playing in the College Football Playoffs, bowl games are glorified exhibitions games. Miami has often played their bowl games with that attitude. Other than a win in the 2016 Russell Athletic Bowl, which is now the Cheez-it Bowl, Miami has lost nine of its last 10 bowl games.
"“Bowl games are kind of weird. The team that wants to be there, that wants to play and has a lot of energy, that’s the team that most likely will win the game. So for us, it’s very important. I know we have a nasty taste in our mouth from the North Carolina game and I’m trying to forget about that.I’m trying to go out there and have a good performance. We’ve had two weeks of practice and they’ve been really good. We’re ready to show it. We’re ready to get a win.”"
Playing with a sense of purpose will be important for Miami against Oklahoma State. A listless Hurricanes have been far too common in recent history. Focusing on the Cowboys and not worrying about next season or the NFL for draft-eligible players will be a chance for Miami to close the season out impressively.
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A victory over Oklahoma State should propel Miami into a top 15 finish. The Hurricanes enter the Cheez-it Bowl ranked 18th in the College Football Playoff rankings against the number 21 Cowboys. Closing the season with a positive feeling will build momentum towards the 2021 offseason.