South Florida vs. San Jose State Prediction – Hawaii Bowl Showdown
The Hawaii Bowl is set to be an exciting clash between the South Florida Bulls and the San Jose State Spartans on Christmas Eve, as both teams aim to close out their respective seasons with a strong performance. The game promises to deliver plenty of action, with both teams boasting high-powered offenses and unique matchups that should lead to an entertaining shootout.
The South Florida Bulls, despite a rocky start under head coach Alex Golesh, have found their rhythm in recent weeks, especially on offense. Quarterback Bryce Archie and the Bulls’ offense have been clicking, averaging nearly 40 points per game in the latter half of the season. This improvement has allowed them to become a dangerous team, and they will be looking to carry that momentum into this bowl game. South Florida, ranked 28th in EPA per rush, will rely on their strong running game to put pressure on San Jose State's defense. However, they will be without key defensive players like safety Tawfiq Byard and defensive tackle Doug Blue-Eli, which could make their defense vulnerable.
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On the other hand, San Jose State enters this matchup with a strong performance in Year 1 under head coach Ken Niumatalolo. The Spartans have exceeded expectations and are eager to cap off an impressive season. Although they will be missing their star wide receiver Nick Nash, who led the nation in receiving yards, the Spartans’ offense remains potent, especially through the air. Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro and wide receiver Justin Lockhart will be the key players to watch. San Jose State’s offense is built around a dynamic passing attack, which ranks among the best in the nation. While the loss of Nash is significant, Lockhart, with nearly 1,000 receiving yards this season, can step up to lead the receiving corps.
Defensively, the Spartans will also be shorthanded, with both starting cornerbacks, DJ Harvey and Michael Dansby, unavailable for the game. This could be a big issue, as the Spartans’ defense has struggled with pass coverage all season, and they rank 103rd in pass rush grade. This creates a potential advantage for South Florida, whose passing game has improved significantly in recent weeks.
Given the up-tempo play of both teams—South Florida leads the nation in plays per minute, while San Jose State is ninth—this game is expected to feature a lot of fast-paced action, with plenty of snaps and scoring opportunities. The game should feature high yardage and a fair share of points, making the over on the total a solid betting option.
In terms of matchups, San Jose State has the edge defensively, particularly in stopping the run. The Spartans are ranked 22nd in rushing defense and will look to limit South Florida's running attack. Meanwhile, South Florida will need to exploit San Jose State’s secondary, which is weakened by the absence of their top corners.
Overall, this is a game where both offenses should thrive, but San Jose State’s balanced attack, along with their solid defensive line, should give them the upper hand. With the odds favoring the Spartans and the dynamic nature of both offenses, expect a thrilling bowl game in Honolulu with plenty of scoring. For those looking to place a bet, taking San Jose State to cover the spread and betting on the over for the total points scored looks like a promising wager.
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