The Russell Athletic Bowl features two teams that will be conference rivals next year. Louisville will be leaving the AAC for the Coastal Division where they will face Louisville next season. This bowl game will be headlined by the quarterback play of both teams while their defenses will attempt to avoid a shootout.
Stephen Morris is also a force as he leads Miami into their first bowl appearance after a two-year self-imposed bowl ban after accepting improper benefits from boosters. It is their first time back in the "postseason" since 2010. This could also be their first double-digit win total since 2003.
Morris tossed 2,868 yards this year along with 21 touchdowns. He will go toe-to-toe with Bridgewater to see who is the better quarterback. While Morris made Miami's offense top notch, their defense left them lost most of the year. The unti gave more than 40 points and 500 total yards in three-straight losses. A beat down by Florida State just topped it all off.
Teddy Bridgewater missed both a BCS bowl and the Heisman, but is at least hoping to finish on top of Miami and possibly end his college career on a high note. Bridgewater has the best NFL stock right now and is predicted to go in the top 10 if he decides to forgo his eligibility. Bridgewater's season started strong, but ended poorly as he failed to record a 300-yard passing game in the final four matchups. He had just five touchdown passes down the stretch. He still finished ranked fifth with 3,523 yards and 28 touchdowns.
The Russell Athletic Bowl will feature two of the best quarterbacks in the nation with Teddy Bridgewater and Stephen Morris. Most eyes will be focused on Bridgewater who was an earlier-season favorite to run away with the Heisman. The Louisville quarterback may be playing his final college game as most predict he will head off into the NFL after this game.
Both Miami and Louisville looked poised for BCS bowl berths in the preseason. Both teams had high-flying quarterback garnering plenty of hype for both NFL potential and Heisman trophy honors. However, key losses derailed those plans and now both teams aim to finish the year on a high note.
