FSU Vs. South Carolina: 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl TV Time & Predictions

The 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl game between the FSU Seminoles and South Carolina Gamecocks is scheduled for December 31 (7:30 PM EST) at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. ESPN will broadcast the game. FSU ranks #23 in the BCS standings, with a 9-4 record; South Carolina is the #20 team in the country, enjoying an identical record. This article offers TV time and predictions for the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl game between FSU and South Carolina.

1) FSU-South Carolina Matchup

Friday's Chick-fil-A Bowl features FSU and South Carolina, the two runner-ups of the ACC and SEC championships. The two teams have met 18 times, with FSU enjoying a commanding 15-3 advantage. The last meeting between the Seminoles and Gamecocks was 19 years ago; FSU won that game 38-10. There is no home court advantage for either team.

2) Christian Ponder vs. Stephen Garcia

The last college football game of 2010 pits senior quarterback Christian Ponder against junior QB Stephen Garcia. Both QBs have enjoyed a decent but unspectacular season. For the year, FSU's Christian Ponder has accumulated 2038 passing yards, 20 TDs, and a QB rating of 138. Stephen Garcia's stats are even better. The South Carolina's quarterback has to date amassed 2816 passing yards, 20 TDs, and a rating of 154. Ultimately, the most important measure of success for a quarterback comes down to the number of wins. In this category, the two QBs are tied at 9 wins.

3) Jimbo Fisher vs. Steve Spurrier

Having lost their conference championship games by a considerable margin, the FSU Seminoles and South Carolina Gamecocks come into the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl looking for a little consolation. Both teams want to use this game as a springboard to next year. Statistically, the Seminoles and Gamecocks have an equal chance of winning this game.

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Regardless of the outcome of this game, FSU's season has been a successful one. In his first year as the Seminoles' head coach, Jimbo Fisher led the team to the ACC championship game. A victory at the Chick-fil-A Bowl will go a long way to validate the young coach's great season. If FSU is to win this bowl game, the team's defensive unit will have to come up big once again. Fisher's crew is currently 24th in the country in points allowed. More impressively, the team has limited its opponent to less than 15 points on 6 different occasions this season.

South Carolina's strong season will forever be marred by its blowout loss in the SEC championship game. As a matter of fact, Steve Spurrier's team would have played in a major bowl or even the BCS championship game had not for its two devastating losses to the Auburn Tigers. Psychologically, it will be tough for the Gamecocks to regroup from these defeats and play to their best ability in this consolation bowl. However, it is a sure bet that the old ball coach (Steve Spurrier) will find ways to motivate his players and get them ready for this important game.

My prediction for the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl college football game between the FSU Seminoles and South Carolina Gamecocks: Steve Spurrier's team wins a score-fest 35-29. Kickoff time for the game is 7:30 PM EST. ESPN will broadcast this contest.

Reference:
ESPN.COM