Southern Miss vs. Florida State

INDEPENDENCE BOWL - Southern Miss finished 8-4, but still is a huge underdog in this matchup largely due to the perceived difference between the Conference USA and the Atlantic Coast Conference. Florida State finished the season on a strong note winning its last three games and outscoring its opponents 157-38, although that includes a 77-6 win over FCS Delaware State, but it does also include a 38-22 win at Florida. James Blackmon threw for 197 yards with a 63.6 completion rate against UL Monroe in the final game of the regular season. Freshman Cam Akers leads the Seminoles with 181 carries for 930 yards and seven touchdowns, but Jacques Patrick lead all rushers against UL Monroe with 155 yards on 19 carries. Southern Miss comes off a 28-27 win over Marshall with Kwadra Griggs completing 16 of 35 for 170 yards and Ito Smith rushing for 150 yards on 29 carries. The Seminoles are 7-1 ATS their last eight non-conference games and 9-3-1 ATS their last 13 bowl games. Southern Miss is 1-3-1 ATS its last five bowl games. The Seminoles have plenty of offense to cover the big number here. Play Florida State.