December 18, 2014
This year’s Independence Bowl is scheduled to take place on December 27 in Shreveport, Louisiana as the Miami Hurricanes will take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in a battle of two underachieving teams.
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2015 Independence Bowl tickets have a current average price of $68.47 on the secondary market, up 101.3% compared to the 2013 Independence Bowl as tickets for Boston College vs Arizona matchup last year had an average price of $34. This year’s bowl game is the most expensive in average asking price in the past few seasons. The get-in price for this year’s game is 39 as tickets are now down 22 percent over the past week.
| Year | Match-up | Avg Price | Get-in Price |
| 2011 | North Carolina vs Missouri | $59 | $26 |
| 2012 | Ohio vs Louisiana-Monroe | $52 | $12 |
| 2013 | Arizona vs Boston College | $34 | $5 |
| 2014 | Miami vs South Carolina | $63 | $35 |
Both of teams participating in this year’s Independence Bowls greatly underperformed this season as Miami and South Carolina finished this season with identical 6-6 records and 3-5 records in conference play.
The Gamecocks had higher expectations of course under Head Coach Steve Spurrier, coming into this season ranked in the top 10. South Carolina didn’t live up to expectations faltering in the heart of the season. However, the Gamecocks have been mostly competitive in their losses in a tough conference as their senior quarterback Dylan Thompson did have a solid year throwing for over 3,200 yards with 24 touchdowns, 11 interceptions leading the Gamecocks to a 21st ranked passing offense.
Miami didn’t the most difficult schedule but it still didn’t materialize to any more wins as the Hurricanes will look to impose their dynamic pass and run duo lead by freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya and junior running back Duke Johnson as both players have potential to be great talents at the next level. Kaaya in his first year as a collegiate QB was solid throwing for over 2,900 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while Johnson didn’t disappoint this year with a solid ground game rushing for over 1,500 yards, with 10 touchdowns, and averaging 7.0 yards per carry.
Overall, the Gamecocks have the better offense with a more dangerous passing game and a solid rushing attack, but the defense is a major concern for South Carolina as Miami defensively have been in impressive in 2014 ranking in 45th in points allowed and 14th in total yards allowed per game. Should be a close and competitive game between two solid but flawed college football teams.
