College Football 5th Quarter: New Year’s Six recap, Championship preview

(Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

5. The Orange Bowl

The Wisconsin Badgers had the pleasure of leaving behind Madison, WI which was clocking in around -1 degree Fahrenheit. The Badgers flew down to Miami, FL and took on the Miami Hurricanes in their home stadium Hard Rock Stadium. Miami had won the Orange Bowl in 1984, 1988, and 1992 for national titles and planned to carry that home field advantage into the 2017 edition.

Wisconsin had other plans. The Badgers started slow, down 14-3 before turning it on with an interception from Andrew Van Ginkel which turned the momentum of the game. Alex Hornibrook then threw four touchdowns with not a single interception.

Hornibrook came into the game 5th in interceptions thrown in all of FBS with 15 on the year. But the Turnover Chain only made one appearance and Hornibrook did what Kelly Bryant and Logan Woodside did and carved up the ‘Canes defensive backs. Jonathan Taylor ran for 130 yards and Danny Davis had 3 touchdowns. The Badgers sacked Rosier three times.

More: What did we learn from the Orange Bowl?

Miami’s quarterback didn’t fare quite as well. Malik Rosier threw free interceptions and only one touchdown on 11-of-26 passing. Miami’s “Athlete” Deejay Dallas had 8.6 yards per carry but Miami stopped running him even after his long touchdown run. On defense the ‘Canes only logged one sack but did have six tackles for loss. Jaquon Johnson, the Hurricanes captain and safety, had 11 tackles on the night.

The Badgers used their top rated defense and a balanced offensive approach to beat the home town team 34-24.