Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. has helped carry the Miami offense through the first two College Football Playoff games. Fletcher Jr. has 36 carries for 262 yards rushing with an elite 7.3 yards per carry and two receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown in the CFP wins.
Mississippi has allowed 239 rushing yards on 71 carries for 3.4 yards per attempt with two TDs in its two CFP games. Tulane had 34 carries for 115 yards without a TD and Georgia had 37 carries for 124 yards and two scores against Mississippi.
Fletcher Jr. has improved from 947 rushing yards and 5.4 YPC during the regular season with 10 TDs. Against Texas A&M had a career high 172 rushing yards on 17 carries. Miami finished with 278 total yards in the 10-3 win over Texas A&M.
Mississippi is 65th nationally, allowing 146.07 rushing yards per game and 67th permitting 4.19 YPC. The Rebels are 35th in rushing yards allowed per game and 33rd in YPC in games played in December and January.
"Defensive tackles Will Echoles and Zxavian Harris set the tone with their ability to handle double teams and penetrate interior gaps. They’ll need to win the battle against Miami’s fierce offensive line in order to slow down Mark Fletcher Jr. and the Hurricanes’ run game."Dalton Wasserman, Pro Football Focus
Miami offensive line versus Mississippi defensive line
The Miami offensive line is 15th in Pro Football Focus run blocking grade and 31st in impact run block percentage per Dalton Wasserman. Francis Mauigoa anchors the Miami OL ranking sixth nationally among offensive tackles with an 85.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus and is third nationally with an 88.8 pass blocking grade.
Wasserman noted that the Mississippi defensive line is fourth nationally in run defense grade. Mississippi is first nationally with 140 run stops and 42 tackles for loss or no gain per Wasserman. Entering the Fiesta Bowl, Mississippi is 54th nationally, averaging 5.57 TFLs per game.
Linebacker Princewill Umanmielen leads Mississippi with 12.0 TFLs, LB Suntarine Perkins and Echoles have 11.0 TFLs, Harris has 9.0 and defensive end Kam Franklin has eight. Gaining positive yardage early in downs will be critical for Miami.