Side with So. Florida -2 at Rutgers
Game Time: 10/18/2007 07:30 PM -
By: Mike Rose | who2beton.com
South Florida almost pulled off the big upset during Rutgers' magical 2006 season, and the Bulls are a better team this year. Take the road favorites against the Scarlet Knights.
It’s fitting that this line has been set at two considering Rutgers escaped with the 2-point victory at South Florida last year while experiencing a dream season quite like the Bulls are now. However, they weren’t the #2 ranked team in the country when they invaded Tampa, and now they’re not even in the Top 25.
Many will be quick to jump on the Scarlet Knights' side in this spot simply due to the home dog factor in a primetime game, but I’m not buying it. South Florida is a much better squad than they were a year ago, while Rutgers has regressed a bit from 2006 form. The home team will turn to running back Ray Rice to set the tone since he’s the only one that’s been able to solve the Bulls rush defense the last couple of years. That being said, the Scarlet Knights O-Line isn’t as good as the last two years, and South Florida’s defense is as fast as any in the country right now, limiting opposing ground games to just 2.9 YPC.
The edge at QB also goes the way of the visitors. I have much more faith in Bulls QB Matt Grothe than I do in Mike Teel of Rutgers. Teel’s play against Cincinnati cost them dearly, and I just don’t trust him against a Bulls 'D' that has sacked opposing quarterbacks 20 times and forced 21 turnovers.
This is sure to be a tremendous game from start to finish, but South Florida will go against the grain and actually hold onto its No. 2 spot for longer than a week. Head coach Jim Leavitt and his staff did an excellent job of getting their men ready for a bounce-back effort vs. UCF last Saturday after a less than impressive outing at Florida-Atlantic the week before. What he’s done with this program in such a short amount of time is simply fascinating, and a trip to Piscataway won’t detour them from their ultimate goal.
Free Pick: South Florida -2 (-110)
Game Time: 10/18/2007 07:30 PM -
By: Mike Rose | who2beton.com
South Florida almost pulled off the big upset during Rutgers' magical 2006 season, and the Bulls are a better team this year. Take the road favorites against the Scarlet Knights.
It’s fitting that this line has been set at two considering Rutgers escaped with the 2-point victory at South Florida last year while experiencing a dream season quite like the Bulls are now. However, they weren’t the #2 ranked team in the country when they invaded Tampa, and now they’re not even in the Top 25.
Many will be quick to jump on the Scarlet Knights' side in this spot simply due to the home dog factor in a primetime game, but I’m not buying it. South Florida is a much better squad than they were a year ago, while Rutgers has regressed a bit from 2006 form. The home team will turn to running back Ray Rice to set the tone since he’s the only one that’s been able to solve the Bulls rush defense the last couple of years. That being said, the Scarlet Knights O-Line isn’t as good as the last two years, and South Florida’s defense is as fast as any in the country right now, limiting opposing ground games to just 2.9 YPC.
The edge at QB also goes the way of the visitors. I have much more faith in Bulls QB Matt Grothe than I do in Mike Teel of Rutgers. Teel’s play against Cincinnati cost them dearly, and I just don’t trust him against a Bulls 'D' that has sacked opposing quarterbacks 20 times and forced 21 turnovers.
This is sure to be a tremendous game from start to finish, but South Florida will go against the grain and actually hold onto its No. 2 spot for longer than a week. Head coach Jim Leavitt and his staff did an excellent job of getting their men ready for a bounce-back effort vs. UCF last Saturday after a less than impressive outing at Florida-Atlantic the week before. What he’s done with this program in such a short amount of time is simply fascinating, and a trip to Piscataway won’t detour them from their ultimate goal.
Free Pick: South Florida -2 (-110)