MagicJack St. Petersburg Bowl Preview and Prediction
magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl logo.
Stadium	Tropicana Field
Location	St. Petersburg, Florida
Operated	2008-present
Conference Tie-ins	Big East; C-USA Sun Belt (alternate)
Previous Conference Tie-ins	none
Payout	US$1 million
Sponsors
magicJack (2008-present)
Former names
St. Petersburg Bowl (2008)
2008 Matchup
Memphis vs. South Florida (December 20)

St. Petersburg Bowl Game Preview

Total Pro Sports – The South Florida Bulls will have the advantage of having their home crowd for this St. Petersburg Bowl game, but how motivated will they be to play in what is considered the lowest bowl game for a Big East qualifier. A team that was predicted to be a sleeper early in the season and quiet possibly receive an at large bid to play in a BCS Bowl game, the Bulls really struggled both offensively and defensively at times this year.

After starting the season 5-0 and sitting in the Top 15 in our College Football Power Rankings, the Bulls hit a slump that has seen them go 2-5 down the stretch and has left some wondering if Jim Leavitt has overstayed his welcome at South Florida. Matt Grothe enjoyed another spectacular year as he led the Big East in total offense, while leading his team in both passing and rushing for the third straight year.

The Memphis Tigers opened their 2008 season with 3 consecutive losses, but finished 6-3 to earn their spot in the St. Petersburg Bowl. The Tigers will be looking to get a big game from their star running back Curtis Steele, if he can gain big yards on the ground it will allow the Tigers to expose the Bulls’ suspect secondary. The Memphis Tigers have enjoyed leads all season long, it is however keeping those leads that has been the problem, if the Tigers can slow down the Bulls’ attack they may walk away from this one with a victory.

St. Petersburg Bowl Game Prediction

The Bulls have not been good this year especially in the back half of the schedule and that should be a cause for worry. The big advantage for the Bulls’ is that this will essentially be a home game at the St. Petersburg Bowl for them. The level of competition between these teams is largely in favor of the Bulls, the Big East offered a tougher schedule than the Conference USA. The Bulls will be able to score points, we are looking for the defense to slow the Tigers attack down.

St. Petersburg Bowl Pick: South Florida -12: