Duck Commander Independence Bowl
miami-south carolina
Time: 3:30 PM EST
TV: ABC
Spread: MIA -3
Total: 61.5
Betting odds c/o Bookmaker
Both the Miami Hurricanes and South Carolina Gamecocks finished with .500 records and 3-5 in-conference records. The teams will square off in the Duck Commander bowl with their respective eyes focused on a plus-.500 season. The Hurricanes are 3-point favorites in college football spreads, while the CFB lines also show a high 61.5 point over/under.
The Hurricanes were solid but unspectacular across the board this season. Miami averaged a 5.6 point margin of victory while getting about 430 yards per game from its offense. The Hurricanes began the season on a disappointing note but losing to the Louisville Cardinals, but Miami proceeded to win its next two games over FAMU and Arkansas St.
Predictably, then- No. 24 Nebraska defeated Miami on Sept 20. Miami really fell apart though over its last three games, losing to FSU, Virginia and Pitt. The loss to FSU was rather predictable, but the Hurricanes nearly prevailed, losing by just four points as Dalvin Cook scored a late TD for Florida State to help the Seminoles come up with a big win over an in-state rival.
Miami QB Brad Kaaya threw for just under 3k yards this season at a 58 percent clip, also averaging about 8.5 yards per reception. He had a bit of an issue with picks (11) but still had over twice as many TDs (25) and a high passer rating of 148.2. He passed the ball off to RB Duke Johnson plenty, who had 218 carries on the season at a 7.0 yard per attempt average, helping the strong back rack up 1,520 yards and 10 TDs on the season.
In the air, Kaaya there mostly to Phillip Dorsett and Clive Walford, who combined for over 1,500 yards and 16 TDs between them on the season. Miami had 25 reception TDs this season, and it scored 18 TDs by rushing the ball.
The South Carolina Gamecocks could have used some defense this year. Despite having a strong offense that posted 33.3 points per game, SC’s mediocre record was due to its ‘D’ which allowed 31.2 points per contest.
The Gamecocks closed the season with a 35-17 loss to then- No. 21 Clemson, but was coming off consecutive victories over Florida and South Alabama. South Carolina lost three of its four matchups to AP ranked opponents, winning only over No. 6 Georgia on Sept. 13, but that was the highlight of the season unless the Gamecocks can prevail as underdogs in this bowl game.
QB Dylan Thompson threw for 3,280 yards on the season at a 59 percent clip and had a 139.3 passer rating. Thompson’s receivers featured four options with over 300 yards on the year, paced by Pharaoh Cooper’s 966 yards and eight TDs. Nick Jones also had five TDs and 490 yards on the year. Shaq Roland and Mike Davis round out the top-4, and Roland scored four TDs on the year.
TRENDS:
MIA(FL): Hurricanes are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 neutral site games; Hurricanes are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 games following a double-digit loss at home; Hurricanes are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 games in Dec.
SC: The Over is 5-0 in the Gamecocks’ last 5 games after scoring less than 20 points in the previous game; The Under is 4-0 in the Gamecocks’ last 4 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in previous game; The Under is 4-0 in the Gamecocks’ last 4 non-conf. games.
