UCF vs Rutgers Betting Odds - UCF, Rutgers square off in St. Petersburg

Betting season for those waiting for the bowl games begins on December 19th, and a battle of the Knights will kick off the campaign as the UCF Knights take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second edition of the St. Petersburg Bowl. The Knights have never won a bowl game, and they’re hoping that the third time is a charm in 2009.

UCF vs Rutgers betting odds breakdown: What’s On The Line
South Florida won the first St. Petersburg Bowl last year, thumping Memphis 41-14, and UCF (8-4) will look to avenge the loss of their fellow C-USA team. The Knights finished second in the C-USA East, ending the season on a three-game winning streak to complete their turnaround from a 4-8 year in 2008. The Scarlet Knights (8-4) dropped two of their last three to finish fourth in the Big East, and they’ve won their last three bowls games, while UCF is 0-2 in their bowl history.

Betting Edge: UCF

UCF vs Rutgers betting odds breakdown: Offense
The Knights are only 84th in the nation in offense, but they’ve averaged 40 points over their three-game winning streak. Brynn Harvey ran for 1,077 yards and 14 touchdowns this year, while Brett Hodges has been solid at quarterback. UCF is extremely efficient in the red zone, converting 71% of their opportunities.

The Scarlet Knights are a miserable 99th in total offense, and the offensive line is porous as Rutgers is 112th in the nation in sacks allowed, which doesn‘t leave much time for Tom Savage. That’s sad, because Rutgers have a very good receiver in Tim Brown, who caught 51 catches for 1,051 yards and eight scores. Joe Martinek came up just short of a 1,000-yard season, and he’ll need to step up to take the pressure off the aerial attack.

Betting Edge: UCF

UCF vs Rutgers betting odds breakdown: Defense
UCF had a terrible time defending the pass, coming in 112th in the country. The Knights are fifth in sacks, though, which means they can pressure the Rutgers offensive line. They gave up 527 yards in a 34-27 win at UAB, but UCF has shown an ability to get big stops when they have to, as they’re 23rd in scoring defense.

Rutgers is 15th in points allowed and 19th in total defense, and they also have a good pass rush, coming in 12th in sacks. They’ve improved since they were lit up by Cincinnati in the first game of the season, only giving up more than 20 points just three times for the rest of the year. However, two of those games have come in the last three contests.

Betting Edge: Rutgers

UCF vs Rutgers betting odds breakdown: Notable Injuries
Tight end Corey Rabazinski (knee) and receiver Khymest Williams (knee) are definitely out, while offensive lineman Nick Pieschel (knee), receiver Jamar Newsome (knee) and safety Michael Greco (ankle) are trying to get healthy for this game.

Brown (ankle) missed most of the Knights’ 24-21 loss against West Virginia, but he should be ready to go.

Betting Edge: Rutgers

UCF vs Rutgers betting breakdown: Outlook and Pick
Rutgers and UCF have never met before, and the Scarlet Knights are favored by 2.5 points, probably due to their defense. However, UCF has been a sportsbook player’s dream this year, going 9-2 ATS, and they’re 4-1 as an ATS underdog. UCF will probably also have more home fans there, given their proximity to St. Petersburg as opposed to Rutgers, which is in New Jersey. The UCF defense should swarm Savage, who will be let down by his offensive line, and the Knights will win their first bowl game on their third try.

BLAKE’S PICK: UCF +2.5

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