Sub-Par Quarterback Play Threatens Scoring in 2018 Pinstripe Bowl

Two teams that started the season ranked in the AP top-10 have to be disappointed to be meeting in the 2018 Pinstripe Bowl. Wisconsin and Miami played in last year’s Orange Bowl, and the Badgers won 34-24 as a 3.5-point favorite. Now the Hurricanes take on the favorite role in the rematch with both starting quarterbacks missing this contest. Near freezing temperatures will greet the players at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Rain is expected to hit later in the evening, so watch the weather earlier in the day as kickoff arrives.

2018 Pinstripe Bowl Wisconsin Badgers (7-5) vs. Miami Hurricanes (7-5) Thursday, December 27th –  Bronx, NY 5:30pm ET (ESPN) Betting Line: Miami -3 (47.5)

Strong play in the trenches expected and Miami has the better defensive line to hold up  against the Badgers rushing attack that pounded the ground for 268.4 rushing yards per game vs. FBS opponents to rank No. 6 in the country. Jonathan Taylor is a workhorse rushing for a nation-best 1,989 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Hurricanes run defense allows 136.1 rushing yards per game and Miami had to win their last two games as 6-point favorites to become bowl eligible. If the ‘Canes can slow Taylor, they have a solid shot to win the 2018 Pinstripe Bowl as Miami’s pass defense is top-5 in the country allowing just 149.3 yards per game through the air. Badgers backup quarterback Jack Coan was awful in his appearance at Penn State replacing Alex Hornibrook, who is out for this bowl game with concussion symptoms. Coan passed for just 60 yards on 20 pass attempts with 2 interceptions at Penn State, and will make his fifth appearance this season against Miami, costing him a year of eligibility as a redshirt freshman with the new rule. Coan averaged just 110 passing yards per game for the Badgers, and you can bet Miami will stack the box to slow Wisconsin’s running game.

Following Miami’s opening week loss to LSU 33-14, the Hurricanes held every other opponent to 27 points or less. Redshirt freshman QB N’Kosi Perry took over at quarterback full time in early November, but completed just 51.3% of his passes this season. But he’s a better option at quarterback than Coan for Wisconsin, and in a lower scoring game with more running and short passing plays, lean Miami’s way.

29018 Pinstripe Bowl Free Pick – Miami0-Wisconsin UNDER 47.5

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Fairway Jay is a professional handicapper based out of Las Vegas. He focuses primarily on the four majors along with college football and college basketball. You can follow him on Twitter @FairwayJay.