Last Updated on January 2, 2010 9:00 am by drew
PapaJohns.com Pick
Two conference in need of a win meet in the 2010 PapaJohns.com Bowl as the Big East’s Connecticut meets the SEC’s South Carolina on Saturday at 2PM ET in the.
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Connecticut is 7-5 on the season and 10-2 against the spread. The Huskies won their final three games of the season, but failed to cover in its last game.
South Carolina is 7-5 on the year and 7-4 against the spread. The Gamecocks defeated Clemson 34-17 to end the regular season and stop a three-game losing streak.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made South Carolina 4-point favorites over Connecticut on Saturday afternoon. The over/under total for this game has been established at 51.5.
Connecticut is scoring 32.1 points per-game. The Huskies have been balanced on offense as Jordan Todman has rushed for 1,152 yards and 14 scores while Zach Frazer has thrown for 1,354 yards and nine touchdowns in limited action. The Gamecocks are holding opponents to 20.4 points and 304.7 yards per-game on the season.
South Carolina has struggled on offense, scoring just 1.8 points per-game. Stephen Garcia has thrown for 2,733 and 17 touchdowns. The Huskies are giving up 25 points and 382 yards per-game on defense. UConn has struggled against the pass, giving up nearly 3,000 yards through the air this season.
This game should be a very smash-mouth contest as both teams like to play physical and establish the line of scrimmage. Because neither team has been an offensive power, we will make our choice based on trends. The Huskies have the trends in their favor, going 10-2 on the year and 50-30 ATS in games on grass fields since 1992.
Our PapaJohns.com Bowl Free Pick for this matchup is: CONNECTICUT +4 and UNDER 51.5.
College Football Bowl Season Betting Trends
CONNECTICUT is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
CONNECTICUT is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) as an underdog this season.
CONNECTICUT is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) when playing on a Saturday this season.
CONNECTICUT is 50-30 ATS (+17.0 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
CONNECTICUT is 38-22 ATS (+13.8 Units) in non-conference games since 1992.
Connecticut is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Connecticut’s last 5 games
South Carolina is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of South Carolina’s last 6 games
Bowl Season College Football Injury Report
CONNECTICUT
[TE] 08/25/2009 – Yianni Apostalakos out for season ( Hip )
[OT] 10/10/2009 – Jimmy Bennett out for season ( Knee )
[S] 09/07/2009 – John Yurek out for season ( Knee )
[LB] 10/12/2009 – Kijuan Dabney out for season ( Shoulder )
[QB] 11/01/2009 – Cody Endres out for season ( Shoulder )
[RB] 11/03/2009 – Robbie Frey out for season ( Shoulder )
[LB] 11/30/2009 – Greg Lloyd out for season ( ACL )
S CAROLINA
[G] 12/06/2009 – Kevin Young is "?" vs Connecticut in the Papa Johns Bowl ( Ankle )
[OL] 12/16/2009 – Quintin Richardson expected to miss Saturday vs. Connecticut ( Shoulder )
[OL] 12/17/2009 – Terrence Campbell doubtful vs Connecticut in the Papa Johns Bowl ( Neck )
PapaJohns.com Bowl Odds
Connecticut Huskies +4 Over 51.5 (+165)
South Carolina Gamecocks -4 Under 51.5 (-185)
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Posted: 1/2/10 9:00AM ET