The South Florida Bulls still have hope of winning the American East, but needs to take care of business in Week 13 against the UCF Knights and hope Temple loses. The head-to-head loss to the Owls looms large, but South Florida can’t do anything about that now and must focus on this regular season finale with UCF.
The Bulls are 9-2 and are riding a three-game winning streak while the Knights, who went winless in the 2015 season, are 6-4 under first-year head coach Scott Frost.
South Florida is fresh off a 35-27 victory over Southern Methodist University. UCF will try to get back in the winning column on Saturday after losing 35-20 to Tulsa at home last week.
This matchup in Week 13 of the regular season will take place on Saturday, November 26 2016, at 12 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Central Florida +10.5
South Florida -10.5
Over/Under 66.5
Odds Analysis
South Florida is a sizable favorite and more than 70 percent of the early action has been placed on it to cover this spread. The scoring total has been deemed too high as 80 percent of the early money has jumped on the “under” for this game.
South Florida is 9-2 straight up and 5-6 against the spread. The Bulls have covered in five of nine matchups as the favorite, but it has only covered in two of six attempts at home.
Central Florida is 6-5 straight up and 8-3 against the spread. The Knights are an underdog for the fifth time. They have been solid the first four times, covering three times. UCF is 4-1 against the spread on the road this year.
Player to Watch
Quinton Flowers – The South Florida quarterback is responsible for 35 touchdowns this season, 22 passing and 13 rushing. The dual-threat behind center leads an offense that ranks No. 7 in the country with 43.7 points a game.
Flowers has thrown for 2,299 yards and leads the rushing attack with 157 carries for 1,273 yards. He presents a big threat for opposing defenses because of his mobility and has thrown for 677 yards and ran for 528 yards in South Florida’s last three wins.
Key Stat
21.9. That’s how many points this UCF defense has been holding opposing offenses to this year. A tough defense has been key to the quick turnaround for the Knights.
The defense is allowing 370.6 yards a game, more than 100 yards less than South Florida, but saw a let-down last week against Tulsa who accumulated 474 total yards, the bulk of which came on the ground. The Knights face a really tough test against Flowers this week and the defensive performance will be key since the team is clearly outmatched on offense.
Free ATS Pick
Central Florida is scoring 30.0 points per game but is being outgained by its opponents this season, which is worrisome. The Knights need a big performance from quarterback McKenzie Milton. He has completed 146-of-255 passes this season for 1,583 yards with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.
South Florida has been susceptible to the pass, which could give Milton the ability to put up numbers. The Knights will need it as Flowers and Co. will likely be able to score even against a defense which has done well this year.
South Florida is the better team but this spread is too high. Central Florida will make the Bulls earn this win, and it will cover the spread. South Florida, however, will emerge victorious and then watch to see if Temple loses so it can claim the division title.
There is a ton on the line in this matchup and it should be a good one.
College Football Odds: South Florida 31, Central Florida 27
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
