USF vs. UCF Prediction
Can No. 13 Central Florida take care of business against its rival, No. 22 South Florida, when the two meet today at 3:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Central Florida is favored at home in this game, as the Knights are getting odds of -9.5 points against the Bulls. The over/under total for the game has been set at 63 points. South Florida has won two straight meetings with UCF and the Bulls have covered the spread in six of the last eight encounters. The public is currently putting 52 percent of the wagers for this game on Central Florida at home. Today’s game takes place from Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida and will air live on ABC.
Central Florida is coming off a 45-19 win over Temple on the road to keep its unbeaten season going at 10-0. The Golden Knights are 7-0 in conference play this year while posting a 6-3-1 record against the spread. However, the Knights are just 1-3-1 ATS in their last five games. UCF has one of the top offenses in the nation, averaging 48.2 points and 522.6 yards per game. McKenzie Milton has thrown for 2,928 yards and 26 touchdowns with just five interceptions. Tre’Quan Smith is his leading receiver with 44 catches for 850 yards and 11 touchdowns. Adrian Killins Jr. has 84 catches for 629 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, UCF is giving up 20.5 points and 373.6 yards per contest.
South Florida is coming off a 27-20 win over Tulsa at home last week to improve to 9-1 on the season and 6-1 in the AAC. The Bulls are 4-6 against the spread this season, but have failed to cover in four straight games. South Florida is holding opponents to just 19.9 points and 323.5 yards per game. On offense, the Bulls are putting up 37.9 points and 494.2 yards per contest. Quinton Flowers has thrown for 2,097 yards and 17 touchdowns while also rushing for 870 yards and nine scores. Darius Tice is adding 860 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while D’Ernest Johnson is putting up 715 rushing yards and seven scores. Marquez Valdes-Scantling is the leading receiver with 48 receptions and 737 yards and five touchdowns.
Bet on South Florida vs. Central Florida
Central Florida seems to be having another dream season and I don’t see its rival being able to stand in its way today. The favorite has covered the spread in six of the last eight in this series and UCF is 6-2 ATS in its last eight Friday games. USF is just 1-5 ATS in its last six road games and 0-4 ATS in its last four conference games. I expect the Knights to have too much fire power on both sides of the ball for the Bulls to handle.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: CENTRAL FLORIDA -9.5