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Duck Commander Independence Bowl: Hurricanes vs Gamecocks

NCAA football betting action sees the Miami Hurricanes taking on the South Carolina Gamecocks in the Duck Commander Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. Cappers Picks provides free NCAA football handicapping tips all season long.

A pair of underachieving 6-6 teams meet Saturday afternoon down in Louisiana in hopes of not finishing the season under the .500 mark.

NCAA Football Odds

Miami Hurricanes (6-6) vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6)
Saturday, Dec. 27
3:30 PM ET
Independence Stadium (Shreveport, Louisiana)
ABC
College Football Betting Lines: Miami -3.5
College Football O/U: 61
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Both big name programs struggled and labored through the 2014 regular season and barely became bowl eligible.

Miami

After winning three straight to become bowl eligible, Miami had the biggest letdown of the season when they blew a late lead against the undefeated Florida State Seminoles. That loss sent the Hurricanes into a downward spiral and they lost their final two games against Virginia and Pittsburgh. The Hurricanes will look to win a bowl game for the first time since 2006.

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The Hurricane offense seems to roll when Junior RB Duke Johnson is at his best. Johnson rushed for 6 consecutive 100 yard games, but struggled in the Hurricane’s final two contests. On the season Johnson has rushed for 1520 yards to go along with 10 touchdowns. He gave Miami the 51st best rushing attack in the nation with 179.9 yards a game.

Also struggling down the stretch of the season was QB Brad Kaaya. The young Freshman struggled to get Miami into the end zone in the later part of the season. With these types of growing pains expected, Kaaya still managed to lead the Hurricanes to the 46th best passing attack with 251.1 pass yards a game.

Miami’s Bowl game struggles have seen them score just 13.5 points a game over their past 6 post season contests.

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South Carolina

Ranking number 9 in week 1 of the NCAA football season, the Gamecocks stumbled right out of the gates against Texas A&M. Throughout the 2014 season, South Carolina struggled to win close games. Losing by just 1 point to Missouri, 7 points to Kentucky, 7 points to Auburn, and 3 points to Tennessee, the Gamecocks could have saw their season have a much different ending had they won a couple of those games. That being said, getting a chance to play a big name program like Miami will highlight the Saturday Bowl slate.

The struggles for South Carolina stemmed from the lack of defensive stops and allowing late touchdowns to the opposition. The Gamecocks allowed 31.2 points against (93rd) and 433.6 yards. 5 of their 6 losses saw them allow 35 points or more.

While the defense had it’s share of problems, the offense led by QB Dylan Thompson and RB Mike Davis continued to keep the Gamecocks in games and get them to a post season bowl game. South Carolina averaged 281.4 pass yards a game (21st) and scored 33.3 points (37th). Thompson threw for 24 touchdowns, while Davis rushed for 9 himself.

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Coming into the Duck Commander Independence Bowl, the Gamecocks have won 3 straight bowl appearances.

NCAA Football Handicapping Trends:

• Hurricanes are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games overall.
• Hurricanes are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. loss.
• Gamecocks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. ACC.
• Gamecocks are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.

Free 4* NCAA Football Pick: Under 61

Miami simply struggles when it comes to bowl season. Scoring has always been an issue for the Hurricanes and expect a no different outcome here.

South Carolina 20, Miami 17

The Gamecocks control the clock and use RB Mike Davis en route to a low scoring South Carolina victory.

Check out our Updated College Football Bowl Game Odds.

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