Meineke Car Care Bowl: South Florida vs. Clemson Bowl Preview
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Tar Heels vs. Volunteers Handicapping Matchup
Date/Time: Friday, Dec. 31, 5 pm EST
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte NC
USF Bulls (7-5) vs. Clemson Tigers (6-6) Betting Lines from Sportsbook.com
MoneyLine: USF +170, Clemson -200
NCAA Betting Favorite: USF (+5) Clemson (-5)
Over/Under: 40.5
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South Florida
From the get-go, South Florida’s mantra has been defense this season. A fledgling attack is often bailed out by a defensive unit which ranked 19th in the FBS in points allowed, with under 20 per game. Unfortunately, it hasn’t always translated to conference success – the Bulls are only 3-4 in Big East play.
The “D” is spurred by senior LB Jacquian Williams, the team’s leading tackler as well as DL Craig Marshall, who has registered seven tackles for loss, four sacks and an INT. If the Bulls are going to beat Clemson, they’ll have to focus on their excellent team speed to disrupt Clemson’s rhythm.
Offensively, it has been a bit of a sophomore slump for starting QB B.J. Daniels. The Tallahassee native has only a 9-12 ratio and has been less explosive than 2009. Daniels also has just 237 rush yards in 2010 compared to 772 last year. When he is making plays, though, he’s usually throwing to Dontavia Bogan, who has 658 yards and five scores. 
USF has gritted its teeth to a very workmanlike 7-5 record; there’s been a lot of close games that have gone both ways for the club. For success in the Dec. 31 bowl game, the Bulls must ensure that Clemson plays USF’s style of game: nasty, and stingy.
Clemson
Not unlike USF’s Daniels, Clemson starting pivot Kyle Parker has endured a recession-like second year under center for the Tigers. Parker showed moxie and toughness by staying in the game when he got knocked around like a piñata at times, but the sum total only amounted to 2,079 pass yards and a 12-10 TD/INT ratio.
Also like South Florida, Clemson keeps its head above water with defense. The Tigers are an impressive 9th in the nation in points allowed (a very stingy 17.8 per game) and that mixed with a grinding running game courtesy the duo of Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper can put Clemson in the driver’s seat.
Clemson lost three very close consecutive games earlier in the season to Auburn, Miami and North Carolina. If the chips fell differently, this campaign would have a different feel to it for the underachieving ACC club. But, ifs and buts are candies and nuts. Clemson has not brought enough offense when it’s mattered, and consequently the Tigers sit at a pedestrian 6-6 in 2010.
The Pick
Do not expect a boatload of points in this game. Both sides have tons of athleticism on “D” and Daniels and Parker should both be harassed regularly. Clemson plays in a tougher conference and drew Auburn out-of-conference; Parker has also looked just slightly better than Daniels this season. For those reasons, the smart pick is Clemson in a close, low-scoring affair.
South Florida vs. Clemson Score Prediction: USF 10 Clemson 17
James has been naming every player on the EA Sports NCAA video game rosters for half a decade now, he’s finally putting his knowledge to better use writing for us here at CappersPicks.com. As always you’re comments are welcome below…Give Us Your Take!
