SMU Mustangs at UCF Knights
Saturday, 12/4/10, 12:00 PM EDT, TV: ESPN2
Opening Point Spread: UCF -8
Current Betting Line: UCF -9
Opening Total: 54
Current Total: 55.5
SMU is just two years removed from consecutive 1-11 seasons and now the program is set to play in the Conference USA Championship. The Mustangs can earn a conference title for the first time since it finished tied for first in the Southwest Conference in 1984. “It means a lot to our program, going to the conference championship, going in with a lot of emotion,” said running back Zach Line. “I think the ball’s on our side right now and we need to keep going with it.” He has rushed for a conference-leading 1,297 yards and quarterback Kyle Padron has passed for 28 touchdowns to provide a well-balanced offensive attack. SMU is 12-9 ATS as an underdog the past three campaigns and the NCAA football lines page has them getting nine points.
The Mustangs have actually won two straight Wester Division Championships in the conference, but failed to reach the title game last year due to a head-to-head tiebreaker with Houston. Some experts see this appearance as bit of surprise due to how young the team is, with just four of 22 starters being seniors. SMU and UCF have met just twice with the Knights holding a 2-0 series edge, having topped the Mustangs in 2007 and 2008. Head coach June Jones has successfully navigated his way through his third season at the program, posting a 16-21 mark over that span and now makes his career record 92-62.
UCF is making its third appearance in the C-USA Championship Game since its creation in 2005 and has actually hosted the event each time. The Knights nine wins are the second-most in school history and the team has won six of its last seven home games. In the two previous wins over Saturday’s opponent, UCF has outscored them by a 80-37 margin due to having a plus-5 turnover margin in those contests. The defense has also managed to sack the quarterback eight times in those meetings. Over the past three years, the squad is a dominating 17-7 ATS versus conference opponents and 13-6 ATS as a favorite.
The Knights can score in a variety of ways, including tallying eight non-offensive touchdowns this year on five interceptions, two kickoff returns and one fumble return. UCF has also had quite a turnaround in the turnover category, ranking last in the country after two games (-5), only to turn it around and finish the regular season ranked 44th nationally (+2). Offensively, the team managed to score 422 points for an average of 35.2 a contest, which ranked 21st in the nation. UCF has registered 40 points or more in five games.
Bettors will be interested in knowing that the Mustangs are 4-11 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 10 points, while the Knights are 9-1-1 ATS after a spread loss.
The college football handicappers at Maddux Sports are finishing the season in style and can’t wait for you to join them this weekend. Don’t miss out!
