Emerald Bowl: Boston College vs. USC
Free Pick: Boston college +8 -110 odds
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Certainly taking a huge chance here fading Pete Carroll and his USC Trojans who have been nothing short of $$$ in the bowl season of late going 4-1 SU & ATS the L/5 years. However, this is unchartered territory for the mighty Trojans who find themselves out of a BCS Bowl for the first time in 7 years. If their uninspiring home loss to Arizona wasn’t enough to send off SOS signals about this group wanting to close the book on the 2009-10 season, this game against BC will close the case. I just don’t see USC playing this one with the same kind of tenacity and vigor we’ve seen them execute in years past.

On the flipside, we get to back a BC outfit that’s experienced major success in the bowls regardless of who’s been leading them. The Eagles are 8-2 SU their L/10 bowls, and they come into this one off a tough loss to Vanderbilt in the Music City Bowl a year ago. BC isn’t the toughest of teams to game plan for as QB Shinskie isn’t a downfield threat, but RB Montel Harris is very elusive and quick. If the O-line is able to contain the Trojans, Harris could have another big day. Defensively, the Eagles play with a quick motor and never give up mentality. On heart alone, they should be the favorites in this spot.

With all the extracurricular activity surrounding the USC program this season (freak accidents, suspensions, purchased SUV’s) and the fact that they didn’t live up to expectations, I just don’t see the Trojans being motivated in this spot. BC brings it on every play; that’s something I can’t and won’t say about USC in 2009. Next year might be a different story, but I think USC wanted this season over with yesterday. Look for the Eagles to challenge throughout and come within this lofty spread.

Play On: Boston College