International Bowl Preview – N. Illinois Huskies vs. South Florida Bulls

Both the Huskies and the Bulls will have to travel far for their bowl matchup, but it’s the Huskies who have the most pressure on their backs. A team stocked to the brim with seniors will be looking to put Northern Illinois Huskies on the map as they appear in a bowl game for the second year in a row. This will be the first time that has happened for the Huskies, and they’re getting no favors from the pollsters by as they face a stiff defense from the South Florida Bulls.

The Bulls, however, have their hands full…literally. Coach Jim Leavitt has been slammed with accusations that he grabbed player Joel Miller by the throat and hit him in the face. Of course the coach and the program are claiming that the reports were untrue, and the only coach in South Florida’s short history will have to do his best to ensure his team looks beyond the incident and corrects a course that saw them go 2-5 SU/ATS in their last 7 games.

Quarterback B.J. Daniels has been a breath of freshman air for South Florida Bulls. With 1,766 passing yards, 798 rush yards and 18 total touchdowns the dual threat of the Bulls will give Northern Illinois a handful in the International Bowl. The Huskies got to wear they are by trotting out a balanced defense that allows 204.6 yards through the air and just 120.5 yards on the ground. Daniels will be tested to find holes in a good defense that carried the Huskies to a 4-2 SU record in the past 6 games, though they fell to 2-5 ATS in their last 7 overall.

Northern Illinois Huskies (7-5) vs. South Florida Bulls (7-5)

Saturday, January 2 nd — Rogers Centre, Toronto — 12:00pm EST

NCAAF Betting Line: South Florida -7 (49)

The Huskies are also a bit stronger on offense, averaging 30.8 points per game, with a gameplan that centers around undersized Chris Spann at the tailback position. With 945 yards and 19 touchdowns this season on the ground, Spann has proven he can be deployed as a reliable scoring weapon. The Bulls have given up 137.8 rushing yards on the ground and match the Huskies in points allowed with 21.2 points against per game (30 th in the country).

However, sometimes when you’re too unfamiliar with teams in a game taking place in a neutral location, you have to take the subtle hint from the oddsmakers. The Bulls are getting a touchdown-nod from the oddsmakers and that’s enough for me to have faith despite Daniels being a freshman. The Bulls play a stiffer schedule and once they see what the Huskies are truly capable of against them, this is going to be a cake walk for them.

Furious Free Pick: South Florida -7 (UNDER)