NCAA Football
2013-01-01 - Michigan Wolverines at South Carolina
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NCAA Football
Tuesday 1 January 2013 - Kick Off 1pm
6pm (British Time)
Preview
The South Carolina Gamecocks (10-2) and the Michigan Wolverines (8-4) will meet one another in Tampa Bay in another big Bowl Game on New Year's Day and both will feel confident in their own chances of ending the season on a high.
Both schools rely on a strong Defense to give themselves a chance and both feel their programs are heading in the right direction that may end with a chance at winning a National Title in the next few seasons.
The biggest issue for South Carolina this season was the loss of Marcus Lattimore to what looked like yet another serious knee injury. He was considered one of the premier Running Backs in the nation, and was potentially leaving for the NFL Draft, but it now looks like he will be back next season as he bids to recover.
Kenny Miles and Mike Davis will get to split the carries for the Gamecocks in this one, although they are going against a really tough Michigan Defense that is allowing 156 yards per game on the ground. The Running Backs are going to need to get something going if they want to give Connor Shaw against a very good pass Defense.
Shaw is a dual-threat at the Quarter Back position and he has thrown 15 touchdowns this season with just 7 interceptions while also running in another 3 scores. It won't be easy against a Michigan team that has allowed just 155 yards per game through the air this season, but the Wolverines have struggled to get pressure. Any established running game will keep the Offense in short yardage situation and allow South Carolina to move the chains.
Steve Spurrier is much more likely going to rely on his Defense to win the field position battle in this one if his South Carolina team is to win the game. They will not be facing Denard Robinson at Quarter Back, although he still figures to be a big part of the Offense.
Instead of Robinson, Devin Gardner has been the signal caller for Michigan down the stretch and he has been a little more efficient in the passing game while also being capable of running the ball. Gardner has 8 touchdown passes and 4 interceptions, while also scoring 7 touchdowns on the ground and replaced Robinson who had thrown 9 touchdown passes and interceptions this season.
Gardner will have to be careful and use all of his scrambling ability considering South Carolina have one of the most effective pass rushes in the nation led by Jadeveon Clowney. That pressure generated will lead to turnovers and incompletions and could spell for a long day for Michigan if they don't get their own running game working.
Fitzgerald Toussaint is the other top Running Back that is missing from this contest and that is likely where Denard Robinson will line up. The Wolverines have managed to move the ball at 4.9 yards per clip this season, although this will be the toughest run Defense they have seen since playing Alabama on the opening weekend of the season.
South Carolina have only allowed 3.1 yards per carry this season and they have limited teams to 119 yards per game on the ground. If they can keep tabs on Michigan in this one, their pass rush is going to be made that much more of an issue for the Wolverines and thus give the Gamecocks a real edge in this one.
Head to Head
This is only the third meeting between these schools and the first two meetings were split 1-1.
The last time they played was back in 1985 when Michigan won.
Prediction
This looks another close call, but I think the SEC team in this one will be a little too athletic on both sides of the ball and should be able to cover the spread in the win.
Michigan were crushed when they met Alabama from the SEC earlier this season and while I do believe they are improving, I think they are still not quite up to taking on an SEC team right now.
The Pick :
South Carolina 23-17 Michigan Wolverines
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back the South Carolina Gamecocks - 4.5 Points @ 1.95
