Friday, January 1, 2010

SEC Football Blogger

South Carolina vs. UConn, Papa Johns Bowl, Prediction Pick 2009

Posted: 30 Dec 2009 10:44 PM PST

South Carolina vs. UConn, Papa Johns Bowl, Prediction Pick 2009

I’m going to level with you sports fans. This whole concept of meaningless bowl games after New Years Day makes New Years Day meaningless and is another reason why this Bowl System needs to be exploded. But politics aside? The kid’s got things to analyze.

What UConn has? Two things. By know you know the tragic story of Jasper Howard and his murder in October this season. But what you might not know is they lost their next three games (including West Virginia and Cincinnati) in a painful fashion. They could have curled up and let this season end, but they didn’t. And at this point, feeling rewarded by a seasons extension may be worth a score.

But what the offense brings to the table? Like last year, it’s running. You could say that Donald Brown did the work of two men. Because it’s Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon doing their impression of the Miz and Morrison. And for what South Carolina brings to the table? It does help the Huskies cause.

But we’re living in a world where Stephen Garcia can start a run toward draftability. And how does he do that? On the backs of the UConn secondary. I’m not making any too soon jokes. But they’ve been thrown on all year. And Stephen Garcia was decent this year, according to my exacting standards. So, combine that with a good defense overall? And they’re not going to get launched.

The problem for South Carolina? The offensive line can do an impression of a sieve. And if you have a strong pass-rusher? It may not matter if you can get thrown on. Lindsey Witten will be drafted. He will be on an NFL roster next year. And if UConn wants to avoid getting into a shootout? He needs to get untracked.

The past couple of seasons? The SEC in Bowl games have done an impression of one of these things is not like the other. And what just wasn’t the same? The Gamecocks. They like to sleepwalk. They don’t take care of the ball, and they can get sacked. UConn will get the ball moving. And they will get the ball last. Don’t call it an upset. UConn 30, South Carolina 28.

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