Last year South Florida made it’s first appearance in a bowl game in their 9 years of division I football and must have liked the experience because they rallied the troops to make another visit this season. The Bulls should be flying high as well since they went on the road and knocked off then no. 7 West Virginia 24-19, which is the highest ranked opponent South Florida has ever beaten. The QB position should be solidified for the Bulls as Big East Conference Freshman of the Year Matt Grothe had a huge game against the Mountaineers, gaining 279 yards through the air and 47 on the ground. USF will want to capture their first bowl win this time after losing 13-0 to NC State last year in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
East Carolina was invited to their first bowl appearance since 2001 and will be looking to capitalize off of their 21-16 win over NC State on November 25th. The Pirates are 7-5 all-time in bowl games, but lost to Marshall in an exciting 64-61 double overtime game back in 2001. South Florida is 3-0 all time against the Pirates with their last win coming in 2004 in a 41-17 drubbing.
Our opinion is that this game goes UNDER the posted total. South Florida is 17-5 UNDER the last 2 seasons away from home and East Carolina has only put up 17 ppg on turf this year, while the Bulls are averaging a measly 12.3 ppg on turf. With both of these teams being better on the defensive side of the ball expect little scoring today.
If you want to know which team is going to cover tonight’s game, take a look at the college footbal bowl picks our expert handicappers have on tap.
2006 Birmingham Bowl Best odds:
East Carolina +6 -110 at Bodog
South Florida -5 -105 at BetCris
OVER 43 -110 at Bodog
UNDER 43.5 -107 at Pinnacle