NCAA FOOTBALL BETTING PREDICTION - PITTSBURGH PANTHERS @ SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS

NCAA Football

2012-12-01 - Pittsburgh Panthers at South Florida Bulls

A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown

Pittsburgh Panthers @ South Florida Bulls
United States: NCAA Football
Saturday 1 December 2012 - Kick Off 7pm
Midnight (British Time)

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Preview

Two of the more disappointing teams in the Big East will be facing one another in this last game of the regular season, although it is clearly more important to one of these schools than the other. The Pittsburgh Panthers (5-6) need to win this game if they are to be Bowl eligible, while the South Florida Bulls (3-8) are just wrapping up a disappointing season.

It looked like the post-season was going to be beyond the reach of both of these schools, but the Panthers somehow recorded a win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights last weekend to give themselves a chance of making the post-season.

Ray Graham is going to be given the ball in the backfield to try and set up the Panthers and he should have some success against this South Florida run Defense. With the Bulls giving up over 150 yards per game on the ground, it has to be expected that Graham will be able to keep the Panthers in short yardage situations.

That should set up Tino Sunseri from the Quarter Back position and the Bulls have been hurt through the air throughout the season. Sunseri could find himself under some pressure behind a shaky Offensive Line, but if Graham can get established, he should be able to employ pass-action plays to get the ball down the field.

It should be tough for South Florida to keep up with the Panthers Offense as the Pittsburgh Defense is likely to shut down the Bulls that are missing BJ Daniels.

Daniels is out for the season and his back up at Quarter Back, Matt Floyd, has struggled in relief. He won't have much more luck against a Pittsburgh Defense that has allowed just over 200 yards per game through the air and one that can generate a pass rush and also ball-hawk in the Secondary.

South Florida will likely play conservatively by using their rush attacks to keep Floyd in manageable situations, but that won't be easy as Pittsburgh allow just 3.9 yards per carry and are allowing just 140 yards per game on the ground. I imagine the Panthers will load the box and dare the Bulls to beat them through the air and that could make it a long day in the office for South Florida in their last game of the season.

Head to Head

Pittsburgh have won 4 in a row in the series which includes 2 wins on the road in South Florida.

The Panthers are now 6-2 in the last 8 in the series between these Conference rivals.

Prediction

The South Florida Bulls have not had a good season, but they are significantly weaker without BJ Daniels and that doesn't bode well against a Pittsburgh team that should be confident after a win against Rutgers last weekend.

The Panthers have been poor on the road this season, but they have a Bowl game on the line and should be significantly motivated to win the game and cover the spread.

The Pick :