Papajohns.com Bowl Mark's Free Pick College Football South Carolina Gamecocks-UConn Huskies: 1/2/10

Written by Mark | 01 January 2010

Papajohns.com Bowl-College Football 1/2/10

Connecticut Huskies (7-5) (Big East)-South Carolina Gamecocks (7-5) (SEC)

By Mark • Saturday January 2nd, 2009 2 PM EST
Line-South Carolina -4.5

Tragedy and injuries have put their stamp on Connecticut’s season with the stabbing death of DB Jasper Howard along with injuries to quarterbacks Zach Frazier and Cody Endress. No matter, as the Huskies have been leaning on their ground game which has been productive. UConn racks up nearly 400 yards and 32 points as their problems at quarterback have been largely overcome by their ability to run. The Huskies defense has been a problem, as they allow 25 points and simply can’t stop the pass. That makes for some exciting games as Connecticut has played more than their share of close ones often decided in the final minutes. The Huskies have played nine games decided by a single score and have won four so with a little better play they could have more to show in a season of turmoil. Connecticut has some momentum coming in with three straight wins to their credit while averaging close to 40 points.

Since Steve Spurrier took the reins at South Carolina, I’ve been waiting for a star quarterback and high octane offense that he had yearly in Florida to suddenly appear. It hasn’t happened and yards and points have been a precious commodity as the Gamecocks average just 22 points. South Carolina limps in having won just three of their last four, averaging slightly more than 13 points in the loss’s. Fortunately the defense has been a constant in 2009 and are the main reason South Carolina has a winning record and Bowl appearance. They give up just 304 yards and 20 points per game good for 15^th and 23^rd rankings nationally and even those numbers have barely been enough to keep their heads above water. They have just four wins versus teams with winning records which isn’t a great stat.

Connecticut is 4-0 against the spread in their past 4 as an underdog of 3.5-10 points and 6-0 against the number in their last 6 overall. South Carolina is 4-0 against the spread in their past 4 games versus a team with a winning record.

The obvious match up will be can Connecticut move the ball on the South Carolina defense and can the Gamecocks offense find success against a not so formidable Huskies D. I expect a close one here and even though I’m more of a defensive guy, I’ll go against my normal instincts and take the points…