SNOOP DOGG’S ARIZONA BOWL PREVIEW: MIAMI OF OHIO VS. COLORADO STATE

SNOOP DOGG ARIZONA BOWL

MIAMI OF OHIO (8-5) VS. COLORADO STATE (8-4)

• Time and date: Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
• Network: The CW Network
• Location: Arizona Stadium
• Spread: Miami (-2.5)
• Over/under: 40.5
• Series: Miami leads, 2-0
• Last meeting: Miami 31, Colorado State 10 — Sept. 18, 2010
• Miami’s last bowl: 2023 Cure Bowl, 13-9 loss to Appalachian State
• Colorado State’s last bowl: 2017 New Mexico Bowl, 30-27 loss to Marshall
• Tickets: Seat Geek site

WHAT’S HAPPENING

The first Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop, is the most anticipated of the nine games the bowl has featured. That’s because the game is sponsored by world-renowned rapper, record producer, actor and media mogul Snoop Dogg. He will be at Arizona Stadium promoting his Gin & Juice brand as part of the game.

This year’s participants are the Miami RedHawks (8-5, 7-1 MAC) and the Colorado State Rams (8-4, 6-1 Mountain West).

Miami, 1-4 in its last five bowls will go for its first bowl victory since 2021 under head coach Chuck Martin. Colorado State is appearing in its first bowl in seven years. The Rams have lost four consecutive bowl appearances. They lost to Nevada — who was then coached by current Colorado State coach Jay Norvell — in the inaugural Arizona Bowl in 2015, then sponsored by NOVA Home Loans.

The RedHawks and Rams have met twice before in 2003 and 2010 with Miami winning both games.

Miami overcame a 1-4 start by winning seven consecutive games to qualify for the MAC championship game. The RedHawks were unable to become the first MAC team to repeat as champions since 2011 and 2012 when Northern Illinois achieved the feat. They lost 38-3 to Ohio.

Miami can achieve consecutive nine-win seasons for the first time since 1974 and 1975.

Colorado State returns to the bowl season for the first time since 2017. The Rams last won a bowl in the 2013 New Mexico Bowl (48-45 shootout over Washington State and coach Mike Leach).

The Rams can clinch their first nine-win season since 2014 with a win over Miami. Colorado State struggled early in the season, similar to Miami, starting 2-3 with losses to Texas, Colorado and Oregon State. The Rams then put together a five-game winning streak and nearly qualified for the Mountain West championship game.

ARIZONA BOWL MATCHUPS

When the Miami RedHawks have the ball

Saturday marks the end of the six-year career of quarterback Brett Gabbert. He is 200 yards away from passing Ben Roethlisberger for second on the school’s career passing yards chart. Gabbert won MVP honors in his last bowl game in 2021 in the Frisco (Texas) Football Classic (27-14 victory for the RedHawks over North Texas). … The quarterback will be without key targets as both of Miami’s 800-yard receivers — Javon Tracy and Reggie Virgil — entered the transfer portal and have landed elsewhere (Tracy to Minnesota and Virgil to Texas Tech). That leaves fifth-year senior Cade McDonald (49 receptions, 606 yards) as the No. 1 option. Unproven receivers Andre Johnson and Kamryn Perry have the opportunity to shine. Running back Kevin Davis and tight end Jack Coldiron are also options for Gabbert. … How running back Keyon Mozee goes, so goes Miami. When he rushes for 90 or more yards, Miami is 8-0. When he is limited to 40 yards or fewer, the RedHawks are 0-5.

Colorado State’s defense was average this season, allowing 24.3 points allowed per game. … The Rams have lacked a consistent pass rush this season. Defensive end Gabe Kirschke was the lone defender to have more than two sacks with 5.5. … All-Mountain West Second Team linebackers Buom Jock and Chase Wilson combined for 191 tackles. Jock entered in the transfer portal, however, and is now with Cal. … The Rams’ passing defense allowed 239 yards per game (ranking 101st in FBS). Cornerbacks Elias Larry and Dominic Morris combined for 19 pass breakups and two interceptions.

When the Colorado State Rams have the ball

Colorado State’s offense is led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, who is approaching 2,500 passing yards for the second straight season. Fowler-Nicolosi ended the year strongly, passing for at least 300 yards in each of his last two starts. The quarterback did not have star wide receiver Tory Horton for most of the year after Horton suffered a season-ending knee injury. Top receiver Caleb Goodie went into the transfer portal and landed at Cincinnati. Fowler-Nicolosi will look to Jamari Person and Armani Winfield (first and second on the team in receptions with Goodie gone). Tight end Vince Brown II, second on team in touchdown receptions, is a viable red-zone threat. … The running back duo of Avery Morrow and Justin Marshall provides Fowler-Nicolosi balance as part of the nation’s No. 55 rushing attack. Morrow has rushed for 956 yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Marshall has 662 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Miami’s defense limited opponents under 4.0 yards per carry. Fifth-year lineback Matt Salopek, also playing his last game, was the 2023 MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He has more than 110 tackes and eight tackles for loss in the last three years. He also recorded three interceptions this season. … Salopek is one of four RedHawks with at least eight tackles for loss. The others are defensive ends Brian Ugwu and Corey Suttle as well as inside linebacker Ty Wise. … Miami is 16th nationally in scoring defense at 18.9 points allowed per game. … The RedHawks will be without shutdown cornerback Raion Strader, who recently announced he is headed to Auburn after entering the transfer portal. Miami’s 23rd-ranked passing defense nationally still has veteran safeties Eli Blakey and Silas Walters.