Pop-Tarts Bowl: Miami Hurricanes vs. Iowa State Cyclones

Miami, FL – It certainly isn’t the postseason but I’ll take seeing the Pop-Tarts Bowl featuring the Miami Hurricanes and the Iowa State Cyclones. Unable to gain any sway with the selection committee, the Cardiac Canes missed out on the CFP despite finishing 10-2. The bowl got the top team from the ACC and the second-best team from the Big 12 that didn’t make the playoffs. Iowa State lost to Arizona State 45-19 in the Big 12 Championship. The Canes have the advantage of a relatively short road trip while those faithful to the Cyclones had to travel over 1,300 miles to see their team play. Miami will attempt to achieve its first 11-win season since 2003.

Regardless of the bowl game’s significance, or how cool the trophy is, this will be the final time fans see the 2024 Miami Hurricanes. Aside from the portal transfers, none of the Canes players have publicly announced that they’re sitting out. Keep in mind the team has not formally said who is or isn’t playing. The boys get to suit up one more time with the potential to show how wrong (or not) the committee was in snubbing them. This is the first meeting between Iowa State and Miami. It will either be a fun experience or a disappointing one.

Miami Hurricanes

Cam Ward

Canes coach Mario Cristobal speaking this morning on why Cam Ward wants to play in the Pop Tarts Bowl despite likely being a top pick in the NFL draft:

“Cam’s DNA, his upbringing, everything he’s made of and stands for is the right kind of stuff.”

(🎥 @PopTartsBowl) pic.twitter.com/5hifXTgrPF

— Will Manso (@WillManso) December 27, 2024

I don’t know about you guys, but I was excited to hear Cam Ward had one game left in him. The 2024 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award winner also claimed ACC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. Although Ward did not win the Heisman Trophy, even getting placed behind Dillon Gabriel, his stats speak for themselves. Amassing 4,123 passing yards including 36 passing touchdowns, and averaging 343.6 yards per game. It will be interesting to see how long Cam Ward stays especially if there’s a blowout by halftime.

Xavier Restrepo

Xavier Restrepo soaking it all in. Final home game in a Canes uniform pic.twitter.com/G4qqi6h0TK

— Giselle Espinales (@GiselleSports) November 23, 2024

Interestingly,  X was not announced as one of the Saturday contest captains. Xavier Restrepo on the field would be a treat for the fans and a possible headache for Iowa State’s defense. Together, the offense will put up the dynamic duo one last time. Restrepo may seek some redemption from the costly fumble against Syracuse and what better way to do it than with some explosive touchdown plays with his teammate? We shall see.

Damien Martinez

Another look at that devastating run from Damien Martinez 💥 pic.twitter.com/FqZAb1ke5F

— Geo Milian (@GeoMilian) August 31, 2024

With Chris Johnson Jr. and Ajay Allen hitting the transfer portal, Damien Martinez might stick around for another year with the Miami Hurricanes. This will heavily depend on what goes on with the portal and elsewhere. Presuming Martinez is ready to go “bowling”, he might be getting the lion’s share of carries splitting some snaps with Mark Fletcher, who is also unknown on whether he’ll participate. The Cyclones are nearly the worst in the Big 12 against the rush meaning whoever carries the rock might run wild on Saturday.

Iowa State

Rocco Becht

OH MY GOD! ROCCO BECHT GOT CRACKED!!! pic.twitter.com/BH48yYxWji

— 🏆🥇 (@fsh733) December 7, 2024

This will be the defense’s assignment. Rocco Becht has thrown for 3, 235 yards and 22 touchdowns. Among the efforts, Becht has been picked off nine times. Considering the weakness of the Canes’ secondary, the sophomore from Wesley Chapel, Florida could prove to be a problem. A key to victory is to pressure him and shut down one of his primary receivers which we will get to in a moment. Arizona State held the Cyclones to 19 points in the conference championship and there’s no reason to believe UM can’t do the same.

Jayden Higgins

Iowa St. WR Jayden Higgins – size (6'3+, 215) ✅ and the contested catch ability to match

But even more impressive at that size is his short area quickness pre/post catch

60 1st downs and 9 TDs this season (per PFF) pic.twitter.com/8MknQQLzj4

— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) December 5, 2024

The senior wideout is a local kid from South Miami. Jayden Higgins leads the team in receptions (87), receiving yards (1,183), and touchdowns (9). If Becht can connect with this guy there will be many explosive plays, first downs, you name it, likely leading to a shootout. Iowa State has studied the Hurricanes so you will likely see Higgins get a lot of looks, however, don’t be surprised if he is utilized to draw attention away from the other receivers like his tag-team partner Jaylin Noel to generate short-yardage gains. Noel has racked up 1,077 yards and the duo are the first pair of Iowa State receivers with 1,000 yards each in a season.

Jontez Williams

Huge pick by Jontez Williams LFG! pic.twitter.com/3AMNMT3Zy1

— OutCYde the Lines (@OutCYdetheLines) October 6, 2024

Shifting to the Cyclones’ defense, Jontez Williams has recorded four interceptions, complemented by four pass deflections. Iowa State doesn’t get many sacks, but they are among the top of the conference in giving up the least points and are the best in the Big 12 against the pass. Allowing 21.5 points and 161.7 yards a game, they may prove a challenge to Miami’s high-powered offense. Williams will be on the prowl, looking for a costly turnover.

Prediction

This will come down to the opposing defenses. One can’t stop the run, the other is weak against the pass. The talent Ward brings along with the rest of the offense should be enough to win their first bowl game since their 31-14 victory over West Virginia in the Russell Athletic Bowl on December 28, 2016. The Canes have lost 12 of their last 14 dating back to 2005. Final Score: 34-24.