USF at San Jose St Spartans – College Football Predictions
The Game
This is one of the KOOKIER match-ups in the first week of action as the South Florida Bulls travel to California to face the San Jose Spartans. The Bulls are a HOT FAVORITE among media types and degenerates alike to make a run at a BIG-TIME bowl game, Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Spartans are in rebuild mode and are likely to struggle this season. Thankfully for us – there is always the point spread ! And a Heisman-caliber QB on display. Let’s go !
The Details
USF 20 SAN JOSE ST (66)
MEGALOCKS LINE – USF -18
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: USF 43 San Jose St 23
Massey Ratings Projected Score: USF 41 San Jose St 31
The Match-Up
USF offense vs San Jose St defense
Oh boy. This is going to be a stern test for San Jose St. QB Quinton Flowers is an absolutely AMAZING football player and is must-see-TV. MEGALOCKS SOUTH FLORIDA INSIDERS note that if ESPN TV heads and Heisman voters decided to anoint a different winner back in September of 2016 during their SEVEN MARTINI LUNCH (“Who is this Lamar Jackson guy ? What the hell. Done. Who wants more booze ?”) Mr Flowers could have indeed been the man taking away the hardware. 1,530 rushing yards. 24 TD passes. 153.6 QBR. And he led the team to a 10-2 regular season record.
The Bulls will miss RB Marlon Mack who left early for the NFL but will still have a devastating run game working at a fast pace. The Spartans yielded 247 yards rushing per game last season and only have 5 seniors in their 2-deep on defense. That should mean lots of rushing yards and timely MATRICULATION in the passing game for big plays. The one thing to note is that San Jose St does bring back 8 starters on defense and could stay close for a while if the offense can stay on the field.
San Jose St offense vs USF defense
There is a QB battle ongoing as we go to press. Our SAN JOSE ST INSIDERS believe that redshirt freshman Montel Aaron may have a slight lead in the race, although to be fair, sophomore Josh Love may be the safer choice. In any event we believe that multiple QBs will get some playing time in the opener. The Spartans offensive line is very experienced and definitely has the ability to play keep away if they choose. RB Malik Roberson is nursing a sore ankle but we always put more emphasis on the offensive line. The Bulls defense will be improved but we always like to SEE it before we BELIEVE it. New HC Charlie Strong has a good defensive pedigree but we want to see RESULTS. If they struggle this week – uh oh. The Spartans have some skill at WR but not sure they will be able to have success week 1 with new (and rotating ?) QBs. We can see the Spartans getting to 20.
MEGA MORSELS
San Jose St finished off the 2016 campaign in decent fashion winning two of their final four games and easily covering vs Boise St and Air Force…..San Jose St has less than 10 seniors in their 2 deep for this game so the Bulls plan will be to go really fast and then faster than that…..San Jose St gave up the most sacks in the FBS last season (50).
Summary
Vegas has done a pretty good job with this one. Quelle surprise. It seems highly unlikely that the Bulls will not find their way to 40 points. The Spartans will have to play ball control and hope for some turnovers. Too bad QB Flowers is awesome. Our best guess is a 17-21 point lead heading into the fourth quarter and then a coin flip cover from there. We cannot possibly go under in this game BUT 66 is a bit higher than we had the game lined (63).
Conclusion
Official play: None yet.
Lean: Nothing as we go to press. We wanted -16.5 to play USF and +21.5 to think about San Jose St. In a holding pattern for now. Grab some popcorn.