The Miami (FL) Hurricanes (6-6) and the South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6) will battle it out in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl on Saturday. The game will begin Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN 2.
South Carolina fell to Clemson 35-17 in its last game. David Williams had a solid game running the ball in the loss, gaining 15 yards on seven attempts. He was a threat catching the ball 70 yards on four catches. Miami (FL) lost to Pittsburgh 35-23 in its last game before the bye. Brad Kaaya had a big game passing the ball for the Hurricanes, completing 22 of 45 passes for 296 yards and two TDs. Phillip Dorsett had a big game as well, totaling 103 yards and a TD on five receptions.
This week’s matchup between the Gamecocks and the Hurricanes have even odds and the Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at 59 points. Heading into Week 18 of the college football season, the Gamecocks are 6-6 Straight Up (SU) and 4-8 Against The Spread (ATS). In the past five games, South Carolina is 2-3 SU and 3-2 ATS. The Gamecocks are dominating through the air lately, averaging 303.8 over their last five games. During their last five games, the Gamecocks have also done an improved job of keeping their opponents from throwing the ball, only giving up an average of 190.6 passing yards. Mistakes and focus may be factors that benefit the Gamecocks in the game. The Hurricanes are one of the most penalized teams in the nation with 7.3 flags per game.
In the other locker room, the Hurricanes have 6-6 SU and 5-7 ATS records this season. Over their last five games, the Hurricanes have a SU and ATS record of 2-3 for those betting with them. The Gamecocks have not found a lot of success stopping their opponents’ running games. The Hurricanes have probably taken notice of that and will look to abuse a run defense that ranks 108th in Division I with 214.4 rushing yards allowed per game. Lately, the Hurricanes have discovered the secret to a better pass defense. They’re allowing only 195.6 passing YPG over their last five matchups. The Gamecocks need to be careful with the football against the Hurricanes. Their defense ranks 16th in the country with 1.1 fumbles recovered per game. Teams need to stay focused in the first quarter against the fast-starting Hurricanes, who average 9.2 points in the first 15 minutes.
Predictions: SU Winner – MIAMI, ATS Winner – MIAMI, O/U – Over
Notes
Miami is 6-14 ATS in its last 20 games.
South Carolina is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami’s last 5 games.
South Carolina is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of South Carolina’s last 6 games.
Miami (FL) is 6-1 SU when leading at the half this season. South Carolina is 5-1 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Miami (FL) is 6-1 SU when leading at the start of the 4th quarter this season. South Carolina is 5-3 SU when leading at the end of the third quarter.
Miami (FL) is only 2-5 SU this season when turning the ball over more than its opponent.
South Carolina is only 4-3 SU this season in games where it loses the turnover battle.
Miami (FL) holds the upper hand in the passing game, according to overall FBS ratings. Its offensive passing game (ranked 46th in the nation) will face the 53rd-ranked pass defense of South Carolina, while its ninth-ranked pass defense will look to limit the 21st-ranked aerial attack of the Gamecocks.
According to overall FBS team rankings, Miami (FL) is rated higher in the ground game on both sides of the ball. Its 50th-ranked rushing attack will face the 108th-ranked run defense of South Carolina, while its 38th-ranked run defense will look to contain the 60th-ranked rushing game of the Gamecocks.
