USF vs Houston NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
Two freshman quarterbacks will go head to head at Reliant Stadium as the Houston Cougars host the South Florida Bulls in an American Athletic conference showdown on Thursday night.
South Florida (2-5) vs. Houston (6-1)
Date: Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013
Time: 7 p.m. EST
Venue: Reliant Stadium
City: Houston
O/U Odds: 51
Spread: Houston -17
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
ATS Matchup Stats | Gambling Insight!
Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s NCAA FOOTBALL Picks Today!
The Bulls quarterback carousel continues, as freshman Mike White, who is expected to make his first career start on Thursday, will become the fourth different quarterback to open a game for South Florida this year.
White came on late in last Saturday’s 34-3 loss to Louisville, completing 1-of-2 passes.
CLICK TO GRAB OUR Expert CFB Picks for 2013 NCAA FOOTBALL Betting!
The woes continue to build in South Florida, as the team has not scored an offensive touchdown in a school-record 12 straight quarters despite winning two of its last three outings. It has relied mainly on its 40th ranked defense, which will now try and test a Cougars offense that has averaged 42 points and almost 500 yards per game.
South Florida will hope the unit finds some success to make up for its anemic offense again, and will aim to slow down the Cougars who are unbeaten in league play, after defeating Rutgers 49-14 on Saturday.
Freshman quarterback John O’Korn leads the Cougars’ offensive charge,which is ranked 17th in total offense (496.7 yards). [soliloquy id=”82219″]
O’Korn has completed 63 percent of his passes with 19 touchdown passes, many of which has found the hands of wide receiver Deontay Greenberry, who has 58 receptions – 19 in the last two games – for 842 yards and eight touchdowns.
The rushing attack is led by Ryan Jackson who has rushed for 477 yards.
Meanwhile the Houston defense has 16 interceptions and leads the nation in takeaways with 27.
Not good for a South Florida offense that is ranked 121st out of 123 in the FBS at 240 yards per game.
Matt’s Free Prediction
This one looks like a rout unless the Bulls can get their running game established in an effort to control the clock and keep the Cougars offense off the field.
However, for that to happen they will need to get leading rusher Marcus Shaw back from a hamstring injury that has kept him out of the last two games. His status is questionable for Thursday’s matchup.
With that said, I expect the Cougars to continue to roll here with its high-octane offense and smothering defense .
Cougs cover.
Houston 35, South Florida 13
