South Florida Bulls betting on Top 10 finish
South Florida Bulls betting on Top 10 finish
Tampa's Raymond James Stadium will be the site for a matchup of solid Big East teams tonight on ESPN when the South Florida Bulls host the Pitt Panthers. Matt Groethe and the Bulls are ranked No. 10 with a 5-0 mark straight up, but only 1-3 ATS. Pittsburgh enters 3-1 on the season, but 0-4 versus the numbers. South Florida is favored by about two TDs, and drawing a lot of action.
That groan you just heard in the distance? That’s coming from Tampa, where the No. 10 University of South Florida Bulls may have to do without their best player for their Big East opener against the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Defensive end George Selvie, the reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year, has an ankle injury that kept him out of last week’s 41-10 blowout of North Carolina State. Selvie was able to practice earlier this week, but in limited form. Tackle Terrell McClain also missed last week, and although he was able to do more in practice than Selvie, both men are “likely out” for Thursday, according to the Tampa Tribune.
This is a considerable blow to USF’s defensive line against one of the better rushing threats in the nation: LeSean McCoy (4.3 yards per carry) and LaRod Stephens-Howling (5.4 yards per carry). McCoy had three rushing touchdowns as a freshman in last year’s 48-37 USF win, as the Bulls were still able to cover the 9-point spread. But that was with Selvie and McClain on the field.
Selvie was a monster for the Bulls in 2007. He led the nation with 31.5 tackles for a loss and added 14.5 sacks. This year, Selvie’s numbers are way down, but that’s because he’s been drawing double-team coverage. McCoy, meanwhile, cranked out his first 100-yard game of the season last week at Syracuse, and Stephens-Howling picked up 71 yards and a pair of TDs.
The question for Pitt supporters: Will this be enough to finally get the Panthers to the pay window? They’re 0-4 ATS this season despite going 3-1 during the non-conference portion of the schedule. South Florida is undefeated at 5-0, but just 1-3 ATS, and the Bulls needed overtime to get past Central Florida (+13½) in the season opener. Something’s got to give Thursday.
Making matters worse for USF, senior linebacker Brouce Mompremier will be out for a second week after colliding with teammate Carlton Williams while attempting a tackle against Florida International. Mompremier is one of the leaders of the Bulls defense after racking up 83 tackles from the weak side last year. Without him against N.C. State, USF allowed five passing plays of at least 35 yards each.
But wait, there’s more. Cornerback and punt returner Theo Wilson sprained his left knee last week against the Wolfpack; he’s out until late October. Kickoff specialist Justin Teachey (thigh) is uncertain for Thursday as well. Special teams are one area where Pitt can dominate, thanks to Lou Groza candidate Conor Lee (7-for-8 on field goals, the only miss coming from 42 yards).
Those injuries don’t appear to be scaring away bettors. The home side is getting about 80 percent of the action in spread betting, with USF favored by 13½ points and holding steady since the open. The Bulls do have depth on their side, although that depth is now being severely tested. This will also be the first game where USF has faced a bona fide ground attack.
As usual, the spotlight for the betting public falls on the quarterbacks. USF has a clear advantage in this department. Junior Matt Groethe has eight TD throws with two interceptions and a 150.06 passer rating. His opposite number, freshman Bill Stull, is still finding his way with two TDs and three picks for a 106.37 rating. But as sluggish as the Panthers offense has been at times, they’ve still scored on all 13 of their trips inside the red zone, including 10 TDs.
This game is being shown on ESPN; kickoff from Raymond James Stadium is 7:30 p.m. Eastern. Pitt has won four of its last five nationally televised games, including that 13-9 Backyard Brawl upset that eliminated West Virginia from the national title game on the last week of the regular season.
Tampa's Raymond James Stadium will be the site for a matchup of solid Big East teams tonight on ESPN when the South Florida Bulls host the Pitt Panthers. Matt Groethe and the Bulls are ranked No. 10 with a 5-0 mark straight up, but only 1-3 ATS. Pittsburgh enters 3-1 on the season, but 0-4 versus the numbers. South Florida is favored by about two TDs, and drawing a lot of action.
That groan you just heard in the distance? That’s coming from Tampa, where the No. 10 University of South Florida Bulls may have to do without their best player for their Big East opener against the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Defensive end George Selvie, the reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year, has an ankle injury that kept him out of last week’s 41-10 blowout of North Carolina State. Selvie was able to practice earlier this week, but in limited form. Tackle Terrell McClain also missed last week, and although he was able to do more in practice than Selvie, both men are “likely out” for Thursday, according to the Tampa Tribune.
This is a considerable blow to USF’s defensive line against one of the better rushing threats in the nation: LeSean McCoy (4.3 yards per carry) and LaRod Stephens-Howling (5.4 yards per carry). McCoy had three rushing touchdowns as a freshman in last year’s 48-37 USF win, as the Bulls were still able to cover the 9-point spread. But that was with Selvie and McClain on the field.
Selvie was a monster for the Bulls in 2007. He led the nation with 31.5 tackles for a loss and added 14.5 sacks. This year, Selvie’s numbers are way down, but that’s because he’s been drawing double-team coverage. McCoy, meanwhile, cranked out his first 100-yard game of the season last week at Syracuse, and Stephens-Howling picked up 71 yards and a pair of TDs.
The question for Pitt supporters: Will this be enough to finally get the Panthers to the pay window? They’re 0-4 ATS this season despite going 3-1 during the non-conference portion of the schedule. South Florida is undefeated at 5-0, but just 1-3 ATS, and the Bulls needed overtime to get past Central Florida (+13½) in the season opener. Something’s got to give Thursday.
Making matters worse for USF, senior linebacker Brouce Mompremier will be out for a second week after colliding with teammate Carlton Williams while attempting a tackle against Florida International. Mompremier is one of the leaders of the Bulls defense after racking up 83 tackles from the weak side last year. Without him against N.C. State, USF allowed five passing plays of at least 35 yards each.
But wait, there’s more. Cornerback and punt returner Theo Wilson sprained his left knee last week against the Wolfpack; he’s out until late October. Kickoff specialist Justin Teachey (thigh) is uncertain for Thursday as well. Special teams are one area where Pitt can dominate, thanks to Lou Groza candidate Conor Lee (7-for-8 on field goals, the only miss coming from 42 yards).
Those injuries don’t appear to be scaring away bettors. The home side is getting about 80 percent of the action in spread betting, with USF favored by 13½ points and holding steady since the open. The Bulls do have depth on their side, although that depth is now being severely tested. This will also be the first game where USF has faced a bona fide ground attack.
As usual, the spotlight for the betting public falls on the quarterbacks. USF has a clear advantage in this department. Junior Matt Groethe has eight TD throws with two interceptions and a 150.06 passer rating. His opposite number, freshman Bill Stull, is still finding his way with two TDs and three picks for a 106.37 rating. But as sluggish as the Panthers offense has been at times, they’ve still scored on all 13 of their trips inside the red zone, including 10 TDs.
This game is being shown on ESPN; kickoff from Raymond James Stadium is 7:30 p.m. Eastern. Pitt has won four of its last five nationally televised games, including that 13-9 Backyard Brawl upset that eliminated West Virginia from the national title game on the last week of the regular season.