Independence Bowl 2014: Miami vs. South Carolina TV Info, Spread, Time and More

Amid the lull that is between Christmas and New Year's Day, Miami and South Carolina will grace college football with an appearance in the 2014 Duck Commander Independence Bowl.

Let's not sugarcoat it—the hopes were considerably higher for both teams than finishing the season in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Gamecocks have gone from an SEC contender to a lowly 6-6, while the Hurricanes boast the same record with more than a few games they'd like to have back.

Such a disappointing season can have a team already checked out and ready for the offseason, but the prospect of finishing out with a win should bring out the fight in two proud programs.

Here's a complete breakdown of the Independence Bowl.

When: Saturday, Dec. 27 at 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: Independence Stadium, Shreveport, Louisiana

TV: ABC

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Spread (via Odds Shark): Miami (-3.5)

Tough Sell

Rainier Ehrhardt/Associated Press

South Carolina is in the midst of the program's golden age, with legendary head coach Steve Spurrier having completed his rebuilding process and boasting a team capable of contending in college football's toughest conference. Miami is undoubtedly down, but its fanbase's sky-high expectations haven't wavered.

Add them both together, and getting fans of these two schools to make the trek to Shreveport could be tougher than advertised—much less get the team's spirits up for the game, as Spurrier told Miami Herald's Susan Miller Degnan:

"

It’s tough for both schools. We’ve been 11-2 the last three years. I don’t know if you knew that or not. But this year, we’re 6-6. Miami used to play for national championships. They’re 6-6. This is where life is. Fans, once you’ve been up there and your team is having sort of an average year, it’s hard to sell tickets.

"

David Caraviello of The Post and Courier summed up the end of the season from Miami's perspective:

Spurrier's prophecy seems to be right on the money. According to Degnan, South Carolina has sold only 1,100 tickets while Miami hasn't even released its information. 

Still, Degnan reported that bowl officials claimed around 37,000 tickets had been sold for the game. But envisioning that many butts in seats come Saturday afternoon is awfully hard.

The offensive firepower is there for both teams, and it should result in an exciting game to watch if Miami and South Carolina bring it. How many people will be in the stands to watch it in person, however, remains to be seen.

Running Wild

Steve Helber/Associated Press

The workhorses for both Miami and South Carolina should be quite busy come Saturday afternoon.

The Hurricanes expect to run the ball with ferocity, boasting arguably the best running back in school history—and that's saying something. Duke Johnson is only a junior, but he has dazzled with 1,520 yards and 13 total touchdowns on the year.

Johnson has slowed down somewhat to finish the 2014 season—if you call performances of 88 and 89 yards slowing down. Before that, he rushed for more than 100 yards and a touchdown in six straight games.

His magnificent year has led many to believe it's his last in the college ranks, as Yahoo Sports' Rand Getlin noted:

While that much is still up in the air, there's no doubt that Saturday will be Mike Davis' final game in a South Carolina uniform. 

The senior Gamecocks running back hasn't put up Johnson-like numbers with just 927 yards and 10 total touchdowns, but his importance has been unquestionable in South Carolina's offense. Dylan Thompson and the passing game has been inconsistent, but Davis' impact shines through in almost every game.

The two running backs are actually buddies off the field, but it should be all business Saturday, as Matt Harris of KSLA noted:

There's nothing like a healthy rivalry between two dominant offensive players, and Davis and Johnson should certainly have that as they play each other in what could be the final collegiate game for both. There's nothing each would like more than a bit of bragging rights on the other as they begin the next step in their careers.

Prediction

Not only is Johnson the superior running back, but he has a more dangerous offense around him with Brad Kaaya playing well under center. 

The mentality of both South Carolina and Miami will loom large, but neither proud program should expected to disappear in a high-profile bowl game. Coming off three losses in which they allowed 30 points or more, though, the Hurricanes will be intent on setting a defensive tone.

The Gamecocks won't be able to match it with their own defense, leading to a big Miami win.

Prediction: Miami 31, South Carolina 20