I like the Gamecocks and not just because they are out of the SEC. They have won their last 4 bowls, and are 4-0 vs. the American Athletic Conference the last 4 years and I think they come into this game in the right situation. Letâs touch on the conferences first though because it is important to note that the SEC has depth and we are getting double digit spread here with a South Carolina team that has a lot of young talent and showed progressions at the end of the season. The AAC is 1-4 in bowl games so far and 7-16 over the first 4 years now. Meanwhile the SEC went 9-2 last year and is 1-1 this year so far.
South Carolinaâs offense can stay on the field for them in this game. This running game go tgoing late in the season when Jake Bentley took over at QB. The offense went up by 64 yards per game, 10.5 points per game, and less turnovers. The running game led by two freshman in Dowdle and Turner are both freshman. They have one of the best WR in the SEC when healthy in Deebo Samuel and he will be for this game. This team averages 4.65 ypc in wins and 2.53 in losses. When they can stay on the field their defense also plays better and thatâs what I predict for them in this game. South Florida is among the worst run defenses in the nation and 120th in overall defense. Bentley throwing the ball, and Dowdle running the ball will be a winning combination here.
South Florida comes into this game with a potent offense that could score enough to cover this high spread, but I believe South Carolina will shorten this game. South Florida also already announced the new coach after Willie Taggart left. We have seen bad results with that scenario this bowl season with Temple and Houston winning as favorites. South Floridaâs offensive coordinator will coach this game, but Charlie Strong is waiting to take this program over and I donât know how much motivation he will have here. We saw similar results last year with the SEC Auburn team defeating Memphis out the of the American in this very bowl game last year 31-10 after Justin Fuente jumped ship from Memphis. I donât know if I feel confident that South Carolina will win this one, but I do like them to cover the spread.
