In its final years, the Big East was mocked as a weak football conference unworthy of sitting at college football's big kids table. But in its prime, the Big East was a powerful league thanks to a membership that included Miami, Virginia Tech, Pitt, West Virginia, Boston College and Syracuse -- back when most of those programs were at or near the top of college football, or at the very least, respectable.
The Russell Athletic Bowl is a meeting of two former Big East programs, Miami (FL) and West Virginia. The two sides haven't met since 2003, a 22-20 win for the Hurricanes that featured this catch and run by Mountaineers running back Quincy Wilson...
... and this fourth-down catch by Kellen Winslow Jr.
Viewing information
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 28
Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
Location: Camping World Stadium -- Orlando, Florida
TV: ESPN
Live streams: WatchESPN / WatchESPN apps
Storylines
Miami (FL): First-year coach Mark Richt returned to his alma mater after a long stint at Georgia and led the Hurricanes to an 8-4 season. Miami was streaky, to say the least. A 4-0 start was followed by four straight losses, which was then followed by four straight wins to end the year. A win over the Mountaineers would easily be Miami's best one of the year.
West Virginia: Remember when coach Dana Holgorsen was on the hot seat? Good times. The sixth-year coach led the Mountaineers to a 10-win season for the first time since becoming the head honcho (and before the program joined the Big 12). In the middle of it all was a contract extension waiting to be signed, but Holgorsen and West Virginia were, for a long time at least, unable to come to terms. That officially changed this month when it was announced after the season-ending win against Baylor that Holgorsen agreed to what amounted to a new five-year deal.
Players to watch
Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami (FL): There's no official word yet, but Kaaya could declare for the NFL draft after the bowl. The junior, who says he's focused on the game, is considered one of the top quarterbacks for the upcoming draft, but is not necessarily considered a Day 1 prospect. Still, he is the school's record holder for most passing yards in a career (9,686).
Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia: Get this -- Douglas, who is tied for first in interceptions, has more picks (eight) than Kaaya has thrown (seven). Douglas is also one of the top players in the Big 12 in passes defended and broken up. Against Miami's passing attack, Douglas will be a key component for an underrated Mountaineers defense.
Prediction
One name that hasn't been mentioned yet is West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard. In last year's Cactus Bowl, Howard threw for a career-high 532 yards against Arizona State. He might need to have a similar type of game if the Hurricanes can shut down the Mountaineers' rushing attack. Miami has allowed just eight rushing touchdowns and are tops in the ACC in opponent red zone conversions for touchdowns. As it so happens, scoring red zone touchdowns isn't West Virginia's strength. Pick: Miami -2.5
