Louisville vs. South Florida: Latest Spread Info, BCS Impact and Predictions

Two Big East teams play for position inside of the conference as Louisville (6-5, 4-2) travels to take on South Florida (5-5, 1-4). 

The game has an interesting kickoff time of 11 a.m. on Friday. So if you happen to be up from early Christmas shopping, this game is on at a perfect time for you. As it pertains to the game itself, South Florida needs a win to clinch a spot in a bowl game this year, while Louisville still has an outside shot at winning the Big East conference. 

Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida

When: Friday November 25 11:00 AM

Watch: ESPN-2 and ESPN-3.com

Spread

According to SBGglobal, it’s South Florida favored by three points. Take Louisville in this game, as they are a better team than what you may have seen against Pittsburgh when they lost 21-14. South Florida is awful inside of the Big East and will have no answer for a good Louisville defense that ranks 13th in points against. 

Over/Under

According to SBGlobal, the over/under is 43 points. Take the under here as the Louisville defense will stop a good South Florida passing and rushing attack. South Florida’s passing and rushing offenses rank in the top 50 of the NCAA. However, Louisville’s defense that is averaging 18.7 points against will hold South Florida out of the end zone. 

Louisville Key Injuries

DT Greg Scruggs: Scruggs is questionable with a foot injury that kept him out of their Week 12 game. It leaves the defensive tackle questionable for Friday’s game against South Florida.

DE Marcus Smith: Smith is questionable with an ankle injury that has kept him out of Louisville’s last two games. 

S Shenard Holton: Holton is on suspension from the team for undisclosed team rules. He will miss this week’s game for violating those rules. 

South Florida Key Injuries

DE Claude Davis: Davis is questionable for Friday’s game with an ankle injury. 

WR A.J Love: Love is questionable with a shin injury. It’s the same injury that kept him out of last week’s game against Miami (FL). 

FB Chris Breit: Breit is questionable with a shoulder in jury. This injury kept him out of last week’s game against Miami (FL). 

BCS/Top-25 Implications

For both of these teams, this game has no implications on either the top-25 polls or the BCS standings. However, Louisville does have a small chance at winning the Big East conference. A win keeps these dreams alive at winning the Big East and making a BCS bowl game. 

Keys to a Louisville Victory

Louisville must get their offense going. In their five losses this year, they have failed to score more than 20 points. They have to get up in this game early in case this South Florida offense makes this a shoot out. 

Louisville must stop South Florida’s rushing and passing game. South Florida has put together a great year, as both their running and passing game rank in the top 50 of the NCAA. 

Louisville must get quarterback Teddy Bridgewater time to find his receivers. In Louisville’s big upset over West Virginia, Bridgewater was 21-of-27 for 246 yards and a touchdown. 

Keys to a South Florida Victory

South Florida must make this game a shootout. Their offense is one of the best in college football while the Louisville offense can struggle at times. 

South Florida must put pressure on Bridgewater to force errant throws. Bridgewater is coming into this game with at least one interception in seven of his last eight games. 

South Florida must get both the running and passing game going. In their last win over Syracuse they had a balanced attack as both offenses had over 200 yards of offense. 

Prediction

This game could go one of two ways: We will either see a high-scoring affair, as South Florida forces Louisville to play catch-up for four quarters, or Louisville could shut down the Bulls offense like Miami (FL) did last week. 

It will be Louisville’s defense that shines here this week, as South Florida will get shut down for four quarters. Louisville and South Florida will trade the lead for three quarters, until the Cardinals pull away in the fourth quarter. 

Louisville 14 - South Florida 10

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