Free Pick: 2010 Papa Johns Bowl: Connecticut vs. South Carolina
The tragic memory of deceased teammate, Jasper Howard, will be hanging over the Huskies as they hit the gridiron of Legion Field to battle the South Carolina Gamecocks. Sometimes that kind of motivation is enough to push a fringe team over the edge, but finding seams against the Gamecocks will be almost impossible. South Carolina prides itself on defense and has endured a season filled with tough, SEC-caliber opponents. Handling the Huskies should be an easy feat for them.
UConn wasn’t able to use the motivation of Howard’s death affectively, pilling up three-straight losses after the funeral of their corner-back. The bulk of the workload in the Huskies offense comes from the tailback tandem of Todman and Dixon, who totaled 2,119 yards on the ground with 27 touchdowns between them. Shutting those studs down will be the a key for the rush defense of the Gamecocks that allow 137.0 yards per game.
Despite the ups and downs of their emotionally draining season, the Huskies showed serious resolve in a comeback victory against the South Florida Bulls 29-27 which gave them a three-game winning streak. In the past five games overall they’re 3-2 SU/ATS and are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
The Gamecocks have been lost in the mad shuffle of the SEC. They managed to decimate Clemson 34-17 in their season finale, ending a three-game losing skid and giving them a 2-0 ATS record to finish the season. Quarterback Stephen Garcia tallied 2,733 yards and 17 touchdowns in his sophomore year and showed that, at times, he can seriously carry this team. Garcia ended the season with a favorable quarterback rating of 124.54.
The key to betting this bowl game properly is noting how efficiently the Gamecocks were able to contain C.J. Spiller of Clemson. They held one of college’s all-time great running-backs to just 18-yards on 9 carries and though the one-two punch of Todman-Dixon will be formidable, it certainly won’t test Spurrier’s ability to craft stingy defenses.
This line has dropped inexplicably by almost three-points and I say that you take advantage of it. Garcia may be just a sophomore, but he’ll be able to manage an effective gameplan. I’ll take an SEC team that had a winning record over UConn any day…especially with a great sports betting line.
Furious Free Pick: South Carolina -4.5 (UNDER)
Courtesy of Betus.com
Related posts:
- Free College Basketball Pick: Kentucky vs. South Carolina: January 26th 2010
- Free Pick: 2009 Music City Bowl – Kentucky vs. Clemson
- Free Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Clemson Tigers: January 13th 2010
- Free College Basketball Pick: Syracuse vs. Connecticut: February 10th 2010
- 2010 NIT Tournament Pick: Northeastern vs. Connecticut: March 16th 2010
