Allstate Sugar Bowl – Louisville vs. Florida on January 2, 2013
The 2013 Allstate Sugar Bowl features a strong one-loss Florida Gators team facing off against the Big East champion Louisville Cardinals. Louisville is getting serious in this game and will try to defeat the Gators, whose only loss is against SEC runner-up Georgia. Here is a quick preview of both the teams heading into the game and a game prediction.
Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals went the entire season without playing a nationally ranked number one opponent. It’s safe to say that The Florida Gators are going to be the best team The Cardinals have come a long way this year. . In the Eastern Conference Big in 2012 it was seen as the weakest and Louisville, the only team in the conference that finished in the Top number. 25. After a 9-0 start, Louisville dropped two straight games against Syracuse on the road and UCONN in a close overtime loss at home A close 20-17 win over Rutgers propelled Louisville into the BCS schedule and gave the Big East Conference champion a berth.
The Louisville defense had an up and down year with a few bad performances including allowing 524 yards of offense against Syracuse. The Cardinals are 37. in allowed per game 23.8. Their defense doesn’t stack up very well against the Gators’ offense.
The Louisville offense is solid, not spectacular. Cardinals average 31 points game, good for 48th in the nation. Sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater had a good season with 25 touchdowns and 7 interceptions while passing for 3,452 yards. Louisville’s rushing attack was split by running backs Jeremy Wright and Senorise Perry. Perry season-4″>had a productive season until last year when she lost her leg. In the last game regular season, Wright had 22 carries for 17 yards will have to work without Senorise Perry and will have to count on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater if they hope to compete against the Gators.
Florida Gators
Florida fans are waiting for the BCS victory, but they are not happy with the current BCS structure, and they want to put the game format in place for a few seasons. Ranked #3 in the state, Florida would be one of four teams selected for the playoffs, and would have a chance to play for the championship. The next loss gave the Georgia Bulldogs a spot in the SEC Applause Game instead of Florida, who then played Alabama. Florida will now have to settle with play against a great Eastern opponent who was heavily favored.
Florida’s strength lies in its defense. They are the 3rd weakest defense in the nation, allowing just 12.9 points per game, even while facing a schedule full of great offenses in the SEC. The most points they allowed all year was 26 against Florida, in which they won the game by 37. 26 In games against LSU, Missouri, and Kentucky, the Florida Gators only surrendered a combined total of 13 points.
On offense, the Florida Gators received contributions from running Mike Gillislee and QB Jeff Driskel. Gillislee passed for over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns. Quarterback Jeff Driskel was not given many opportunities to catch games, but he contributed a thousand yards through the air, 11 passing touchdowns and 3 interceptions. On the ground, Driskel rushed for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns. Although scoring only 26.8 points per game, Florida scores more than enough points with their offensive defense.
Game Overview
Prey will be controlled by the Florida Gators on both sides of the ball. Louisville had a great season, but didn’t have the talent or experience to compete at the same level as Florida. Florida will win easily in the game of need.
Betting Line: Sportsbook.ag ( December 12, 2013) Florida Gators -14
Prediction: Florida Gators 27, Louisville Cardinals 10 (Florida -14
* All statistics from ESPN via ESPN.com
