2009 Emerald Bowl Boston College vs. USC Picks & Predictions

Last Updated on December 26, 2009 5:00 pm by drew

Emerald Bowl Pick

USC looks to have a positive ending to a negative season on Saturday when it meets Boston College in the 2009 Emerald Bowl at 8PM ET from

AT&T
Park.

Bet The Emerald Bowl
USC is 8-4 on the season and 3-9 against the spread. The Trojans lost two of their last three to end the season and have failed to cover in six of their last seven games.

Boston
College is 8-4 on the year and 6-5 against the spread. The Eagles won three of their last four to end the regular season, but have failed to cover in their last three.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made USC 9-point favorites over

Boston
College on Saturday night. The over/under total for this game has been established at 45.

USC has not been its typical self on offense, scoring just 26.7 points per-game while racking up only 385 yards per-game. Quarterback Matt Barkley has struggled in his freshman season, throwing for 2,385 yards and 13 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Joe McKnight has rushed for 1,014 yards and eight scores, but was caught up in NCAA violation questions leading up to this game for driving someone else’s SUV around campus. The Eagles have a stout defense, holding opponents to only 19.4 points and 318.4 yards per-game this season. BC has been especially tough against the run, allowing just 1,253 yards in 12 games.

Boston
College is scoring 25.8 points per-game on offense. Montel Harris has been the work horse on offense, rushing for 1,355 yards and 13 touchdowns. David Shinskie has struggled at quarterback, throwing for 1,823 yards with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The Trojans have still been strong on defense, holding opponents to 20.4 points and 342.8 yards per-game. USC has struggled against power running attacks like

Oregon and Stanford.

This is a tough game to pick because the game will be played close to USC. One could expect the Trojans to take out a year of frustrations, while others could see the Eagles physically beating the Trojans up at the line. We think that this game favors the Eagles as they have a steady running attack and play a physical style of football that the Trojans have struggled with. Look for

Boston
College to slow down the USC running game and leave it up to Barkley to make the plays with his arm, which he will be unable to do. Trends also favor

Boston
College in this game as USC has struggled against the spread all year and in the month of December in past seasons.

Our Emerald Bowl Free Pick for this matchup is:

BOSTON
COLLEGE +9 and OVER 45.
College Football Bowl Season Betting Trends
USC is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in road games in December games since 1992.

Boston
College is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of

Boston
College‘s last 5 games

Southern Cal is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games

Southern Cal is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games

Bowl Season College Football Injury Report

BOSTON
COLLEGE

[DE] 12/17/2009 – Alex Albright "?" vs. USC in the Emerald Bowl ( Ankle ) 

[RB] 12/17/2009 – Rolandan Finch "?" vs. USC in the Emerald Bowl ( Mononucleosis ) 

[DT] 12/17/2009 – Kaleb Ramsey "?" vs. USC in the Emerald Bowl ( Ankle ) 

USC

[CB] 12/17/2009 – Shareece Wright is upgraded to probable Saturday vs.

Boston
College ( Academics ) 

[RB] 10/13/2009 – Marc Tyler out for season ( Toe ) 

[DL] 10/02/2009 – Hebron Fanqupo out for season ( Leg ) 

[RB] 09/29/2009 – Stafon Johnson out for season ( Throat ) 

[DE] 10/02/2009 – Marshall Jones out for season ( Neck ) 

[TE] 12/22/2009 – Blake Ayles is downgraded to doubtful vs

Boston
College in the Emerald Bowl. ( Ankle ) 

[WR] 12/20/2009 – Garrett Green is upgraded to probable Saturday vs. Boston College ( ACL ) 

[WR] 12/14/2009 – David Ausberry "?" vs

Boston
College in the Emerald Bowl. ( Leg ) 

[CB] 12/14/2009 – Josh Pinkard expected to miss vs

Boston
College in the Emerald Bowl. ( Knee ) 

[RB] 12/24/2009 – Joe McKnight is upgraded to probable Saturday vs.

Boston
College ( Not Suspended ) 

[TE] 12/21/2009 – Anthony McCoy expected to miss Saturday vs.

Boston
College ( Academics ) 

[DT] 12/21/2009 – Averell Spicer expected to miss Saturday vs.

Boston
College ( Academics ) 

[RT] 12/21/2009 – Tyron Smith expected to miss Saturday vs. Boston College ( Academics )
Emerald Bowl Odds
Boston College Eagles +9 Over 45 (+280)

USC Trojans -9 Under 45 (-360)
Bet The Emerald Bowl
Posted: 12/26/09 5:00PM ET