The Wolverines are eight-point NCAA football betting favorites to get revenge on the Gamecocks in the 2017 Outback Bowl. As fans of gambling on college football may remember, USC beat UM 33-28 at the 2013 edition of the game. To add insult to injury, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney earned a “Best Play” ESPY Award for a vicious yet legal hit on Michigan running back Vincent Smith. This caused Smith to lose his helmet – and the ball, which Clowney recovered, thus setting up a touchdown pass to wide receiver Ace Sanders on the following play. This moment was pinpointed as a turning point in the game.
The matchup is set. ? #FootballinParadise pic.twitter.com/CfSU3K3lUd
— Outback Bowl (@outbackbowl) December 3, 2017
The 2017 Outback Bowl
- Date: Monday, 1st January
- Time: 12:05 PM
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Sportsbook online Vegas odds College Football Betting:
South Carolina +8 (-115) 43 (-110) +250
Michigan -8 (-105) 43 (-110) -300
South Carolina is 4-1 ATS in the last five bowl games
Quarterback Jake Bentley struggled in his last few games under offensive coordinator Kurt Roper. Hew threw three TDs and seven picks in the G-Cocks’ past four games. In addition to that, South Carolina ranked 108th in the country in yards per game and 98th in points per game at 24.1. As a result of all of this, Mr. Roper was fired and replaced with Bryan McClendon, who will make his debut in the Outback Bowl. “[Kurt]’s a guy I have tremendous respect for. He’s an outstanding football coach and an outstanding person,” head coach Will Muschamp said. “I just think we need to be more productive, at the end of the day.” And, presumably, at the beginning too. On defense, the Gamecocks are holding opponents to just 20.8 points per game.
South Carolina went a 6-1 ATS as an underdog this season, as well as 5-0 ATS in their last five neutral site games, 4-1 ATS in their last five bowl games, and 2-6 against the NCAA football betting spread in their last eight non-conference games.
Michigan is 7-2 SU in the last nine games following a loss
Quarterback Brandon Peters has been about the only saving grace in an otherwise bromidic Michigan offense. Peters made three starts this season but “If I was the mindset of Brandon Peters, I [would say] he’s the starting quarterback,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “And he should take this job, run with it [and think] nobody is going to take that away from him.” That “nobody” could be Shea Patterson, who transferred from Ole Miss, where he made 10 starts, earlier this month. And speaking of Harbaugh, the Wolverines’ defense is as solid as can be expected from John’s brother (even more so now that Maurice Hurst will play in the 2017 Outback Bowl), allowing just 18.3 points per game and 269 yards per game. Considering what we know of USC’s own defense, under, anyone?
The Wolverines are 1-4 ATS in their last five non-conference games, 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games on grass and 3-1-1 against the NCAA football betting spread in their last five games in January.