Michigan vs. South Carolina 2017 Outback Bowl Prediction

The South Carolina Gamecocks and the Michigan Wolverines will start the big New Year’s Day bowl game extravaganza at high noon on Monday as they tangle in the Outback Bowl. Both of these teams finished the regular season with 8-4 records as the Gamecocks proved competitive in a tough SEC schedule. Michigan, though, probably had higher goals for the end of this season, but they started to unravel with that loss to Michigan State. Take a look at our Outback Bowl lines preview for this contest.

Michigan vs. South Carolina 2017 Outback Bowl Prediction

The matchup is set. 👇 #FootballinParadise pic.twitter.com/CfSU3K3lUd

— Outback Bowl (@outbackbowl) December 3, 2017

When: Monday, January 1, 2018, 12:00pm ET Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL TV: ESPN2 Radio: Michigan IMG Sports Network / Gamecock IMG Sports Network Live Stream: WatchESPN NCAAF Odds: Michigan (-7.5), O/U 42.5

Why should you bet on the Wolverines?

Michigan has had a number of problems on offense this season — but it’s hard to score consistently when you have inconsistent quarterback play. Starter Wilton Speight went down near the midway point of the season to injury, and John O’Korn simply threw too many interceptions for the team to be able to win with him at the helm. During his time running the team, he threw six picks — and just two touchdowns. Brandon Peters took over down the stretch and had some solid results, but by that time competing for a Big Ten title was simply out of reach. An inability to mount a passing game meant that the Wolverines had to rely on the run, and tailback Karan Higdon saw plenty of loaded boxes with eight and even nine men inside them. Over his last two games, he only gained 75 yards combined, shutting down his hopes of a 1,000-yard season. If you like the Wolverines, you think that Jim Harbaugh has come up with ways for the team to move the ball against a South Carolina defense that is quick and opportunistic with its playmaking.

Why should you put your money on the Gamecocks?

South Carolina lost a pair of games in November, but to be fair, those two teams they lost to (Georgia and Clemson) beat just about all comers this season. The Gamecocks are a defense-first team, using speed and physicality to get the results that they want and limit the opportunities that other teams have. If Michigan can’t throw the ball down the field, expect the Gamecocks to load the box and leave the Wolverines with lots of third-and-long situations. That will tilt the time of possession and field position battles in South Carolina’s favor and could lead to a long day for Michigan. On offense, South Carolina has a pair of tailbacks who can run the ball well — but who suffered some injuries down the stretch. A.J. Turner (ankle) and Rico Dowdle (fractured fibula) are listed as probable on the injury report, and if they can play, they should be able to find some room to run against Michigan. Turner put up 517 yards on 92 attempts, while Dowdle put up 206 yards. If you like South Carolina, then you see Michigan viewing this bowl game as a sort of disappointment while the Gamecocks get up for the big day.

Expert Outback Bowl Pick and Final Prediction

The Wolverines have covered the spread just once in their last five games outside the Big Ten, and just twice in their last nine games against a team with a record above .500. South Carolina has covered the spread in four of their last five bowl games. Given the way expectations came down this season, I see South Carolina getting up for this game much more than I see Michigan doing so. This spread is somewhat surprising but may reflect the name recognition that Michigan simply has within college football. I predict a final score of South Carolina 24, Michigan 23, with the Gamecocks picking up their ninth win of a solid season