Miami football Game Friday: Hurricanes vs Washington State Sun Bowl odds and prediction

The Miami football team will travel to El Paso to play Washington State in the Sun Bowl on Friday. Miami lost both of their previous trips to the Sun Bowl. The Hurricanes were defeated 33-17 by Notre Dame in 2010 and 20-14 by Washington State in 2015. This is the third Sun Bowl trip by Miami with an interim head coach.

Jeff Southland replaced Randy Shannon in 2010 and Larry Scott was the Miami interim head coach in the second half of the 2015 season. Defensive line coach Jess Simpson will be the interim head coach in place of Manny Diaz for the 2021 Sun Bowl. Miami will not arrive in El Paso until Thursday because of a Covid outbreak.

Miami announced their football team was in a Covid protocol on Wednesday. On Thursday Miami announced their delayed departure to El Paso. Miami will miss all of the festivities that accompany bowl week. The Hurricanes are treating the Sun Bowl game the same as a regular-season game by arriving the day before the game.

Miami did the same last year by arriving the day before the Cheez-It Bowl in Orlando. Last year most bowls canceled festivities the week of the bowl. The 2015 Sun Bowl was the only time Miami played Washington State. Miami is attempting to win its first bowl game since the 2016 Champs Sports Bowl over West Virginia.

Miami football Game Friday: Hurricanes vs Washington State odds and prediction for Sun Bowl

Miami is currently on a four-game bowl losing streak. The Hurricanes have lost 10 of its last 11 bowl appearances. Washington State is making its first bowl appearance since 2019. The Cougars last bowl win was 28-26 over Iowa State in the 2018 Alamo Bowl. Washington State enters the Sun Bowl with six wins in their last eight games.

Miami vs Washington State Odds Week 13

The Sun Bowl betting odds on WynnBET have the Sun Bowl as a pick’em or even betting line between Miami and Washington State. Miami and Washington State have -110 money lines. The total for the game is set at an over/under of 59.0 points.

Miami versus Washington State Sun Bowl Prediction

Both teams enter the game with some attrition. Miami will be missing a significant amount of its staff and a few players. In addition to the Miami staff who will not participate in the Sun Bowl, the Hurricanes will also be without defensive tackle Jon Ford and record-setting wide receiver Charleston Rambo.

Washington State will be without leading rusher Max Borghi and possibly three starting offensive linemen. Miami is the more talented team. With WRs coach Rob Likens running the Rhett Lashlee offense, Miami should continue to thrive offensively. Defensive backs coach Travis Robinson is the Miami interim defensive coordinator.

Washington State is an average team allowing 28.4 points per game to rank 67th nationally and allowing 24.2 PPG which is 47th in FBS. The Miami football team averages 34.1 PPG which is 24th nationally and allows 28.4 which is 85th in FBS. With the inconsistent Miami defense, expect the 59 points to be exceeded.

The Miami football team ended the season with five wins in their final six games. Miami should continue to roll offensively. The Hurricanes have scored at least 28 points in their last nine games. After inconsistent performances earlier this season, Washington State has outscored its last two opponents 84-31.

Miami should win a relatively high-scoring game. Washington State shut down Arizona and Washington in its last two games. Miami will be the best offense Washington State has played since a week four 24-13 loss to Utah. Tyler Van Dyke should continue to thrive against the 48th ranked Cougars pass defense.

Following the Sun Bowl Miami will begin the Mario Cristobal era completely. Cristobal has already made an impact in recruiting. Closing out the season strong and gaining momentum for the final 33 days before Early National Signing Day. Miami is hoping to improve what is currently the 48th ranked 2022 signing class.