South Florida vs San Jose State prediction & betting tips - Dec. 24 - Hawaii Bowl

The South Florida Bulls play the San Jose State Spartans on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET in the Hawaii Bowl. The game can be seen on ESPN.

South Florida (6-6) ended its regular season with a 35-28 loss to Rice. San Jose State (7-5) is coming off a 34-31 win over Stanford.

South Florida vs. San Jose State: Preview

South Florida is a three-point underdog, while the over/under is set at 63 points.

The Bulls have a question mark at quarterback as Byrum Brown is still dealing with an injury and is questionable. South Florida is also without several key players. The full list of players not playing is as follows:

• Israel Carter, QB (transfer portal)
• K'wan Powell, RB (injury - questionable)
• Ranod Smith, WR (transfer portal)
• Tyree Kelly, WR (transfer portal)
• Andrew Kilfoyl, OL (transfer portal)
• Nikola Milovac, OL (transfer portal)
• Doug Blue-Eli, DL (transfer portal)
• Aamaris Brown-Bunkley, CB (transfer portal)
• Tawfiq Byard, S (transfer portal)
• Trey Dubuc, LS (transfer portal)

The Bulls are led by Bryce Archie, who has thrown for 1,679 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. Kelley Joiner leads the team with 766 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

San Jose State also has some key players in the transfer portal. The biggest loss is star receiver Nick Nash, who led the country in receptions, yards and touchdowns.

The full list of players in the portal who won't play in the Hawaii Bowl is as follows:

• Emmett Brown, QB (transfer portal)
• Kayden Collins, RB (transfer portal)
• Paolo Burak, RB (transfer portal)
• Nick Nash, WR (transfer portal)
• Sawyer Deerman, WR (transfer portal)
• Alexander Cobbs, DL (transfer portal)
• DJ Harvey, CB (transfer portal)
• Michael Dansby, CB (transfer portal)

San Jose State is led by Walker Eget, who has thrown for 2,224 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Floyd Chalk IV has rushed for 661 yards and nine touchdowns.

If Byrum can play, South Florida has a great chance of winning this game. But it seems unlikely that he will suit up. Both teams will rely on their run game, but the Spartans have an edge in that department, which could be the difference. Expect San Jose State to eke out a win.

Prediction: San Jose State 30, South Florida 24

South Florida vs. San Jose State: Betting Tips

Tip 1: San Jose State -3 (-115)

Tip 2: Under 63 points (-110)

Tip 3: San Jose State ML (-162)