Gasparilla Bowl Prediction
Is UCF giving up too many points today when the Knights collide with Marshall in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl at 2:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl
219 Marshall vs. 220 UCF
Monday, December 23, 2019
2:30PM ET – Raymond James Stadium
TV: ESPN
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NCAAF Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, UCF is the clear favorite in this game, as the Knights are getting odds of -16 points against Marshall. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 60.5 points. The public betting currently has 74 percent going on Marshall as the underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Herd hoping for a big upset
Marshall is coming off a 30-27 OT win over Florida International in its season finale to end the season by winning six of their last seven games. The Thundering Herd are 8-4 on the season, 4-8 against the spread and 7-5 with the over.
The Thundering Herd are led by their defense this season. Marshall is giving up just 23.1 points and 362.3 yards per game. The offense is putting up 25.8 points and 396.5 yards per contest. Isaiah Green is leading Marshall on offense with 2,265 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. Brenden Knox is the leading rusher with 1,284 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Armani Levias is the leading receiver with 43 catches for 486 yards and three touchdowns. Marshall has a pair of 100-tackle linebackers as well in Tavante Beckett and Omari Cobb.
Knights playing close to home
It’s hard to say UCF took a step back this season with nine wins, but the Knights certainly weren’t the dominant team we have seen in previous seasons. They won five of their last six coming in and their three losses were by a combined seven points. UCF is 9-3 on the season, 5-7 against the spread and 6-6 with the over/under total. Today they get to play at the home of USF, a familiar foe to the Knights.
The Knights are one of the top offensive teams in the nation, putting up 43 points and 536.6 yards per game this season. Defensively, UCF is giving up just 22.8 points and 344.8 yards per contest. Dillon Gabriel had a big year under center, throwing for 3,393 yards and 27 touchdowns to lead the offense. Gabriel Davis has been his top receiver, catching 72 passes for 1,241 yards and 12 touchdowns. Otis Anderson leads the ground attack with 665 yards and five scores.
College Football Betting Trends
Marshall
The Thundering Herd have covered in seven straight bowl games and in six straight at a neutral site.
UCF
The Knights have covered the spread in five of their last seven non-conference games and in four straight against Conference USA opponents.
Prediction:
It’s been a while since these two have met, but I like UCF to roll today. The Knights are playing much closer to home and they can match up with Marshall’s solid defense. However, their offense is far superior and shouldn’t have trouble scoring on the Herd. UCF has scored against much better defenses this season. As long as the Knights come out with some energy, they should be able to handle themselves just fine.
Gasparilla Bowl Prediction: UCF -16.5
Related: Gasparilla Bowl Total Prediction