[Joey Spoons]

Thursday NCAA

Record

NFL: 2-6-1. -4.60
NHL: 7-3-1, +4.35
NCAA: 5-2, +2.80
MLB: 1-5-1, -5.47

Total: 15-19-3, -2.97



NCAA

Rutgers +2

Rutgers was in a tough spot looking ahead to this and they understand the pressure that SF is going through because they just went through it. Now for respect Rutgers has to win this game. With Rutgers the underdog, the Knights are 11-4 ATS as home pooch since 2002. Coach Schiano is 8-1 ATS against teams with a turnover margin of +1 per game or better.

When South Florida team played as a Road team - Last 5 years - Coming off back to back SU wins they 3-7 ATS


Utah +3.5

What Utah team shows up tonight is the clue to picking this one. They beat Louisville on the road and thumped highly ranked UCLA and if not for unspeakable losses to AF and UNLV this Ute team could be talked about in a different light right now. The loser is dead and buried in MWC play and would need to win out to have a chance for a morsel of postseason action with several conference challenges still ahead. Utah will have the edge at quarterback and is playing better football having won four of five. Besides getting Johnson back under center, the defense has stepped up in limiting opponents. The Utes are 16-6 ATS in road games after allowing 125 or less rushing yards in two straight games.

When Utah team played as a Road team - During Week 4 to 8 - Coming off a win on grass they are 9-5 ATS


Spoons

[volfan1983]

Rutgers aint the team they were last year and SF has had consistently good performaces all year. Could be close(7 points) but cant see SF losing this one. Any stats this year to suggest otherwise?

[Joey Spoons]

Volfan,

Thanks for your question. You are correct Rutgers is not the same team they were yesterday as evident by the record and some of the losses they have had this year. Most of my observations on why they would be more prepared for this game tonight are because they have the experience of the big spotlight while South Florida does not. Rutgers knows if they want to get the respect back that they have lost on the season they can do it tonight. You ask for stats on this game, if you mean pure numbers then I do believe I have some.

The Rutgers passing game (yes I said passing) has been impressive when teams have focused on stopping the run. South Florida like they should will focus on the run and I look for Rutgers to attack through the air where they average 307 yards per game this year. In home games the passing defense of Rutgers has been outstanding allowing just 157 per game and that is the strength of the Bulls. Don’t look at the game against Cincinnati as a measuring stick, the Bearcats in my humble opinion have a better defense than the Bulls.

Thanks again for your question and if you have any more questions or comments I look forward to them.

Spoons

[BangTheBook]

Agree with the Utah play but I think S Florida pounds Rutgers

[volfan1983]

Thanks for the quick reply. But i still think SF, with all the athletes(speed) they have in Florida get it done. Teel is a decent QB but he will be running and scrambling for his life. D too much for rutgy. SF 31-17