The Miami Hurricanes and Eastern Michigan Eagles are projected to participate in the 2011 Military Bowl, hosted at D.C.'s RFK Stadium, according 2011 Bowl Projections by SB Nation's Bill Connelly. The Military Bowl pits an ACC club against the Navy Midshipmen or a Conference USA team if Navy is not bowl-eligible. After losing to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Navy dropped to 2-6 on the year and lost its bowl eligibility.
The Hurricanes (4-4, 2-3 ACC) rank No. 4 in the ACC's Coastal division, but they've fared well against some tough competition, with a 2-1 record against ranked teams in 2011. On Sept. 17, Miami took down the No. 17 Ohio State Buckeyes, 24-6. A little more than a month later, they upset the No. 20 Georgia Bulldogs, 24-7. Their lone loss against a ranked team came on Oct. 8, when they lost, 38-35, to the Virginia Tech Hokies on the road. Quarterback Jacory Harris (15 touchdowns, four interceptions, 63.4 completion percentage) has had a strong senior campaign.
The Eagles (5-3, 3-1 MAC) own a better record than Miami, but have earned it against far weaker competition, with two wins coming against non-major teams.
However, should the Military Bowl invite Eastern Michigan, it'd be a big moment in school history: the Eagles haven't played in a bowl game since the 1987 California Bowl.
Miami has lost each of its last three bowl appearances: the Sun Bowl in 2010, the Champs Sports Bowl in 2009, and the Emerald Bowl in 2008.
The Maryland Terrapins crushed the East Carolina Pirates, 51-20, in the inaugural Military Bowl. MVP Da'Rel Scott rushed for 200 yards on just 13 carries, with two touchdowns, while D.J. Adams scored four rushing touchdowns on his 13 carries. Maryland held the Pirates to 32 yards rushing.