Miami and Oklahoma State Selected to Play in 2020 Cheez-It Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando
By Space Coast Daily // December 22, 2020
game set for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – The 18th-ranked Miami Hurricanes (8-2, 7-2 ACC) and the No. 21 Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-3, 6-3 Big 12) will meet in the 2020 Cheez-It Bowl.
Florida Citrus Sports chairman Ken Robinson and CEO Steve Hogan announced the matchup Sunday on behalf of the organization’s Team Selection Committee.
The 31st edition of the game will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at Camping World Stadium and will be televised nationally by ESPN.
This year’s Cheez-It Bowl will be the second all-time meeting between the Hurricanes and Cowboys; Miami defeated Oklahoma State in Coral Gables in October 1991.
The game also marks a record sixth Cheez-It Bowl appearance for the Hurricanes, who are 3-2 in five previous trips. Miami’s most recent visit, in 2016, saw the ‘Canes defeat then-No. 14 West Virginia 31-14.
Oklahoma State returns to Orlando for its second Cheez-It Bowl appearance following a 30-21 win over then-No. 22 Virginia Tech in the 2017 game.
The Cowboys also appeared in the 1976 Tangerine Bowl (now known as the Vrbo Citrus Bowl), where they defeated BYU 49-21.
The 2020 Cowboys boast a strong defense that comes in holding opponents to 22.4 points per game.
The ‘Pokes lead the Big 12 and rank second nationally in third-down defense (26.3 percent conversion rate) and are tied for the national lead with four defensive touchdowns on the season.
Oklahoma State also leads the conference and ranks eighth nationally in tackles for loss per game (8.4) and ranks 12th nationally in sacks per game (3.2). Offensively, the Cowboys are paced by the run game (194.7 rushing yards per game) and come in averaging 29.5 points per game.
The Cowboys will be tested by Miami quarterback D’Eriq King, who ranks third in the ACC in passing efficiency (151.8), with his 22 passing touchdowns good for 12th nationally.
King ranks 16th nationally in total offense at 309.3 yards per game thanks to 520 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on the season alongside running back Cam’Ron Harris (591 yards, nine touchdowns).
Miami’s defense has also been one of the nation’s best at getting into the backfield and ranks fourth nationally with 8.6 tackles for loss per game.
The ‘Canes have recovered nine fumbles on the season (15th nationally) and allow an average of 26.0 points per game. On special teams, the Hurricanes have blocked three kicks, good for sixth nationally, and lead the country in net punting (44.98 yards).
A limited number of Cheez-It Bowl tickets are available at bigtime.games/tickets.
Seats are available in clusters of two, four, six or eight, with physical distancing implemented between pods.
Florida Citrus Sports and the City of Orlando are also implementing additional procedures to ensure the safety of guests and staff members at Camping World Stadium events.
To learn more about these protocols, visit floridacitrussports.com/covid
