By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)
There are only four teams left, and tonight, we will reduce it to two. USC and Miami will battle in the Rose Bowl, and Kentucky will face Texas A&M in the Gator Bowl. As the coaches and players prepare for tonight, I am here to prepare you as the fan for what matchups you should watch tonight.
The Rose Bowl
The USC Rush Attack vs the Miami Rush Defense
USC’s rushing attack has been impressive this season the combination of Messiah Bishop, Jamesyn Golde, and Skye Mills have combined for 1,191 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. The Trojans have the sixth-best rush attack in the league, averaging 124.3 rushing yards per game. However, they might have their hands full trying to run tonight.
Miami has the best rush defense in the league. They allow 53.3 rushing yards per game, which is the fewest in the league. The Hurricanes have five players (Bubba Wadsworth, Mike Weaver, Dan Hanson, Han King, and Heath Moorman) who have at least nine tackles for loss this season.
This will be a massive matchup to keep an eye on. If Miami can shut down USC’s rush attack, this game might be over before it starts. But if USC can grind down the Hurricanes, Miami is in trouble.
Leisa Pink vs The Trojan Ball Hawks
Many of you were expecting me to bring up Bo Yost here. After all, Yost leads the league in rushing. However, I think USC is not going to be able to stop Yost, but they should be able to keep him from taking the game over. That means this game could come down to how efficient Miami’s quarterback can be.
Luckily for Miami, Pink has been incredibly efficient this season. Pink has a 2.2 interception percentage, which is the fifth-lowest in the league. She also has a 6.6 touchdown percentage, which is the 9th best in the league. She simply doesn’t make many mistakes. Tonight, she will be tested though.
USC’s defense has forced 20 turnovers this season, which is tied for the 3rd most in the league. There are five Trojans (Derrick Davis, Jordan Haack, Morgan Winters, Mark McNally, and Jamie King Jr) have at least two interceptions this season. Derrick Davis also has two forced fumbles as well.
Just like any game, turnovers could play a big role in this matchup. If Pink can play a clean game, Yost and the rushing attack can lead them to the championship game. If USC can force some turnovers, then the dream of a repeat will come one step closer to happening.
The Gator Bowl
Kentucky’s Blocking vs Texas A&M’s Defensive Playmakers
You all are probably tired of me bringing up how great Kentucky is at blocking on offense. However, we are seeing something we have never seen in the league. The Wildcats have four of the top 10 pancake blockers in the CFSL. They have more pancake blocks between Ricky Rak and Malachi Cobb than most teams have in a three-season span. This unprecedented commitment to blocking has made each play a home run threat.
It hasn’t been talked about nearly as much, but the Aggies have some real playmakers on defense. MLB Jason Quinn has 85 tackles, DE Rand Rockwell lives in the opponents’ backfield, and CB Ryu Rambo has the 8th most TFLs of any corner in the league. They swarm to the football and attack.
This will be a huge matchup and will likely determine the game. If Kentucky can open up wide receiver screens, like they have all season, then the Aggies will be in real trouble. If the Aggies can shut them down, they will put the Wildcats into long third downs all night long.
Buck Stackhouse vs Teddy Legend
I tried to stay away from individual matchups in this article since we are not guaranteed that those one-on-ones will even happen very often. And there are no guarantees that Legend will be covering Stackhouse, but the idea of one of the league’s best corners going up against one of the best wide receivers is too good to pass up.
Stackhouse, who is a generational talent, averages just under 100 receiving yards per game and that average has skyrocketed lately. In the last five games, he averages 122.6 receiving yards per game. That would be the second most in the league. His 13 touchdowns are tied for the second-most in the league this season. His 6’8″ frame and burning speed make him a nightmare matchup.
Teddy Legend isn’t the biggest guy at CB. He is only 5’9″. However, that doesn’t stop him from being a nightmare at every level of the defense. Legend has five interceptions and ten pass breakups this season. He lives near the ball and more often than not, he is making plays.
As fans, we can only hope to see Stackhouse isolated on Legend Island. But if it does happen, this battle could decide the game. Whichever player can get the best of the other might just put their team in the National Championship Game.
