DAVIE, FLA. (WSVN) - The Wisconsin Badgers are in town to face the Miami Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl, Saturday night, at Hard Rock Stadium.
Wednesday, the Canes continued practice at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, which will be their workout site for the rest of the week. The Badgers will be practicing at Barry University in Miami Shores.
The Canes are staying at the Westin Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood until the game.
“If anybody gets bored, they’ll go out the backyard and hang out at the beach,” said Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt, “so I want the guys to have a good time, but we know that everything’s geared towards winning the bowl game.”
“Definitely gonna be a good week for us. We’re just gonna stay focused on the game and make sure we still have a little bit of fun, too,” said Hurricanes offensive lineman KC McDermott.
The team took a break from football, Tuesday night, for some fun at Dave & Buster’s in Hollywood. Each player was paired with children from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, playing games and eating dinner together.
Tonight, the Canes were able to have some fun at @DaveandBusters while hanging with some children from @BBBSBroward. pic.twitter.com/PJoNUP9NZ3
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) December 27, 2017
Miami has some unfinished business after losing to Clemson in the ACC championship game.
“That left us with a really, really bad sour taste in our mouth,” said Hurricanes linebacker Shaquille Quarterman, “so we’re really, you know, ready to get back to it and get after somebody else.”
Miami will be playing in the Orange Bowl for the first time since the 2003 season.
The Canes have the unusual advantage of playing the Orange Bowl game on their home field. UM went 7-0 at Hard Rock Stadium during the regular season.
“I hope it’s home field advantage,” said Richt. “No, I think our fans are gonna come out in big numbers, and it’s gonna feel like home ’cause it is home for us.”
Wisconsin (12-1) is ranked No. 6 in the country.
“How can I speak on what their home field advantage would be in a bowl game? We don’t know, right?” said Badgers head coach Paul Chryst. “We just know we’re playing against a really good team, and we’re excited to be here, and I want the players to enjoy the time, but most of all be ready and play our best game.”
The Badgers have won three consecutive bowl games. They are 5.5-point favorites over the Canes.
“Nothing concerns me. I think there’s things that we see when watching film and, you know, things we look to take advantage of, things that we think they do well,” said Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook.
The Hurricanes will bring the turnover chain, which has been a big hit on and off the field.
“Suddenly you’ve got 3-year-old kids, you’ve got pictures of babies wearing chains, you’ve got 84-year-old women wearing turnover chains,” said Hurricanes defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, “and I think any time anybody can identify with their football team, and I think we found something that is purely Miami.”
“I think it represents a lot of momentum for them,” said Badgers offensive lineman Beau Benzschawel. “They’re not only playing for each other, but they’re also playing to have the opportunity to wear the chain, and for them that’s huge.”
“Whenever that chain come out, you could look on the other sideline — it takes some of the pride away from the other team,” said Hurricanes defensive end Chad Thomas. “They hate to see it come out.”
Diaz added, Wednesday, that the 10-karat gold, 36-inch turnover chain will be back next season. It might be a different version, but it’s coming back.
The Orange Bowl kicks off at 8 p.m., Saturday, at Hard Rock Stadium.
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