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

The Big East season will come to an end on Thursday night when the West Virginia Mountaineers travel south to take on the South Florida Bulls.

West Virginia (8-3, 4-2) is in the thick of the Big East race and No. 23 in the BCS rankings. South Florida started the year 4-0, but have lost six of seven and now need a win to finish the year at .500. They are 5-6, 1-5 in Big East play, and tied with Syracuse for last place in the conference.

Where: Raymond James Stadium. Tampa, Florida.

When: Thursday, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. EST

Watch: ESPN. Streamed online at ESPN3.

Spread

West Virginia (-2), according to Bodog.

At that number, you're basically betting on a winner. South Florida has been scuffling, while West Virginia is still a strong team. I like them to win and cover here.

Over/Under

55, according to Bodog. I am going with the under here. West Virginia looks good to win this one convincingly. I don't see them getting that close to 55 on their own, and I don't see the Bulls doing enough to pick up the slack.

So, while it's reasonably close, I am going with the under. 

Key Injuries

West Virginia OL Josh Jenkins and WR Brad Starks are out.

West Virginia DL Joshua Taylor is questionable.

South Florida DT Demi Thompson, DT Todd Chandler, OL Tony Kibler, DB Ernie Tabuteau, WR Terrence Mitchell and CB Ricardo Dixon are out.

South Florida LB Curtis Weatherspoon and CB Kayvon Webster are doubtful.

South Florida WR A.J. Love, CB George Baker, DE Claude Davis, TE Isaac Virgin and S JaQuez Jenkins are questionable.

South Florida WR Sterling Griffin, QB B.J Daniels and CB Quenton Washington are probable.

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications

South Florida is not a BCS factor, but they need to win to become bowl eligible. West Virginia must win to have a chance at the BCS.

The Big East Championship has confusing potential if both West Virginia and Cincinnati win. That would lead to a three-way tie with Louisville. But if the Mountaineers don't win, they won't make a BCS game.

Keys to West Virginia Win

On offense, it runs through Geno Smith. His numbers are astronomical this year, and a big performance from him will make a South Florida win impossible.

Defensively, they must contain dual-threat QB B.J. Daniels.

Keys to South Florida Win

Maybe it sounds boring, but Daniels is the answer. He'll need to have a big game to keep his team in this game. 

Prediction: West Virginia 30, South Florida 14.

South Florida has the home-field advantage, but West Virginia is the better team. That will show on Thursday night.