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2012 Sun Bowl: USC Trojans vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Free Gambling Prediction & Preview

Trojans vs Yellow Jackets NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping

With the exception of boasting one of the country’s most electric players in WR Marqise Lee, it has been a bitterly disappointing season in Los Angeles. The vaunted Trojans limped along to a five-loss campaign, punctuated by losses to Arizona and cross-town rival UCLA.

Hyundai Sun Bowl
USC Trojans (7-5) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-7)
Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, 2 pm EST
Sun Bowl, El Paso TX
Betting Information Courtesy Sportsbook.ag
USC -400, Georgia Tech +320
USC -10, Ga. Tech +10
Over/Under: 64

ATS Matchup Stats | Gambling Insight!

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Unpopular head coach Lane Kiffin was criticized for bland play-calling; defensive co-ordinator (and Lane’s daddy) Monte Kiffin has chose to resign, and a Heisman-hopeful season for QB Matt Barkley has been squandered.

Southern Cal’s last chance to finish on a bright note is on New Year’s Eve in west Texas, versus the ACC’s Yellow Jackets in the Hyundai Sun Bowl. Despite being under .500 on the campaign, Georgia Tech had a decent 5-3 record within its conference, which probably garnered it a bowl invite.

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Tech will bring its tricky little triple-option offense to El Paso; it will aim to confound an underwhelming USC defense. The Trojans – long considered one of the nation’s elite football programs – finished only 45th in the nation in points against (24.6) while the Jackets’ rushing attack racks up 312 yards per game.

On the other hand, with the exception of maybe DB Louis Young, Georgia Tech doesn’t have a player in its back seven that can cover the likes of Lee.

Not only is Lee’s explosiveness so devastating, one also must account for the rest of Southern Cal’s deep receiving corps. Robert Woods finished with 73 receptions and double-digit TDs (11). Freshman Nelson Agholor is also a gem.

And although Barkley didn’t have the near-flawless season many were expecting, he is still an elite veteran pivot delivering the ball to these athletes.

If Tech is to have a chance in this game, it must as productive as ever running the football, while finding some way to generate some defensive penetration. Yellow Jackets’ QB Tevin Washington can throw a little bit, but he will get the job done primarily on the ground, as evidenced by his 19 rush TDs. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Senior RB Orwin Smith has also been a highly efficient complement; Smith is averaging nine yards a clip and has also chipped in with five majors.

The last game Georgia Tech played was a very competitive contest against conference champ Florida State, where the Jackets just came up short 21-15.

If the Jackets can bring that kind of effort and defensive intensity to El Paso, we might have a close game in the Sun Bowl. Yet, the likely scenario I see playing out is Southern Cal’s attack being just too potent.

Barkley should be chucking a lot of bombs to Lee, and the super sophomore will show us why he will surely be a Heisman Trophy front-runner in 2013.

Expect the Trojans to score a bunch of points in a victory – for whatever consolation that gives USC and its fans.

Score Prediction: USC 45, Georgia Tech 17

By James Hayes

James has been naming every player on the EA Sports video game rosters for half a decade now, he’s finally putting his knowledge to better use writing for us here at CappersPicks.com. Your comments are welcome below…Give Us Your Take!