South Florida vs. San Jose State Picks, Predictions and Odds: Back the Underdogs in the Hawaii Bowl

• San Jose State’s star wide receiver Nick Nash has opted out of the bowl game

• Nick Nash led all pass catchers in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns

• The Spartans front seven ranks 64th in Def Rush Success Rate and 57th in PPA

It was a dominant year for San Jose State’s star wide receiver Nick Nash as he finished the season leading all pass catchers in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Unfortunately for the Spartans, they will be without his services as Nash has already opted out and will not participate in the Hawaii Bowl.

South Florida vs. San Jose State Odds

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South Florida vs. San Jose State My Pick

• My Pick: South Florida +3.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Without Nash, South Florida will have the opportunity to set a scoring pace too fast for the Spartans to keep up with as San Jose State’s ground game ranks near dead last in Rush Success Rate, PPA, and Explosiveness. That allows South Florida's defense to stretch out across the field to help mask their poor marks in coverage, increasing the likelihood of them stalling out the Spartans offense before they get into scoring position.

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South Florida vs. San Jose State Predictions

South Florida Preview

After South Florida’s starting quarterback Byrum Brown went down with an injury, the Bulls pass production took a major hit as their backup Bryce Archie has struggled with taking care of the ball. Since taking the reins, Archie has thrown as many interceptions as he has touchdowns while only completing 58% of his passes. As a whole, the Bulls offense enters the Hawaii Bowl ranked near the bottom of the board in Pass Success Rate, Pass PPA, and Pass Play Explosiveness.

Luckily for South Florida, they have been able to rely on their running back duo of Kelley Joiner and Nay’Quan Wright to help sustain drives down the field. Joiner has been especially impressive this season as the Bulls running back is averaging seven yards per carry while leading their ground game to top-10 marks in Rush PPA and Explosiveness. Both running backs will have the opportunity to finish out the year strong as they face off against a Spartans front seven who ranks 64th in Def Rush Success Rate.

On the other side of the field, the Bulls defense dodge a major bullet with San Jose State’s star wide receiver Nick Nash opting out of the game. Without Nash, the Bulls defense can cheat out in coverage to mask their low marks in Def Pass Success Rate and dare the Spartans to beat them on the ground. Generating rush production has been a struggle for San Jose State as their ground game ranks 127th in Rush Success Rate, 134th in Rush PPA, and 106th in Rush Explosiveness.

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San Jose State Preview

Even though Nick Nash did not win the Biletnikoff award, it was still a magical season for the San Jose State star wide receiver as he was the fourth player in FBS history to lead all pass catchers in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. With Nash opting out of the contest, the San Jose State offense will struggle to maintain their top-40 marks in Pass Success Rate, Pass PPA, and Pass Explosiveness. 

With their pass production expected to regress, the Spartans may have to rely on a heavier dose of the run in an attempt to command defensive attention back towards the box. That may come with disastrous results as San Jose State’s ground game ranks near dead last in Rush Success Rate, Rush Explosiveness, and Rush PPA. 

Should their ground game continue to underwhelm and struggle to open up gaps for their pass attack to exploit, then the Spartans will be prone to falling behind on the scoreboard as the Bulls will have sizable advantages by attacking their front seven. Back South Florida to cover the spread at no lower than the key number of +3.

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South Florida vs. San Jose State How to Watch

• When: Tuesday, December 24th

• Where: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, Hawaii

• Where to Watch: ESPN

South Florida vs. San Jose State Best Promos and Sportsbooks

Check out the best promos and online sportsbooks available in the U.S. for the highly anticipated Hawaii Bowl matchup between the South Florida Bulls and San Jose State Spartans.

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South Florida vs. San Jose State Injuries

South Florida Injuries

• DT Doug Blue-Eli - Out

San Jose State Injuries

• WR Nick Nash - Out

• CB DJ Harvey - Out