South Florida Bulls
South Florida Bulls Saturday marks the beginning of bowl season in college football. The South Florida Bulls take on the Memphis Tigers in the Magic Jack St. Petersburg Bowl. Odds makers are calling South Florida heavy favorites in what essentially amounts to a home game for the Bulls. NCAA betting lines have South Florida at -11.5 with the total at 55.

After two straight nine-win seasons for South Florida, this year's 7-5 regular season record is a bit of a disappointment. The Bulls struggled offensively down the stretch scoring under 20 points in their last five games including a 13-7 loss at West Virginia in the finale.

The Bulls can feel good about making their fourth straight bowl game.

"There's great programs out there not going to bowl games this year, and our seniors are going to have four bowl rings," coach Jim
Leavitt said. "That's a neat deal, and I'm proud of them for that."

At 6-6, Memphis has become one of the nation's top rushing teams. Junior running back Curtis Steele ran for 1,175 yards and seven touchdowns and became the Tigers' first 1,000-yard rusher since DeAngelo Williams in 2005.

Steele will not have an easy go of it against the Bulls. South Florida's defense ranks 13th overall and 9th in the country against the rush.

"I think they are the most active defensive front we've played against," said Tigers coach Tommy West. "They don't blitz much because they don't have to. Their front four makes it happen. We have our work cut out us for, but I think one of the big keys will be how well we run the ball."

This one is going to be all about strength against strength and the advantage goes to South Florida. Take the Bulls and give the 11.5 points.