South Carolina Gamecocks at Florida Gators
Saturday, 11/13/2010, 7:15 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Florida -5.5
Current Betting Line: Florida -6.5
Opening Total: 48.5
Current Total: 51.5
Current Moneyline: Florida -250 / South Carolina +210
South Carolina is up against quite a mountain in trying to reach its first SEC championship game in playing at a place it has never won and lost by 50 in its last visit to The Swamp. “We’re going to find out if we can perform on the big stage and this is the big stage down there, one of the biggest in the nation,” said Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier. This is the first time the Gamecocks have ever been ranked higher than the Gators when the two teams have met. Saturday’s clash marks the 31st game in the series that dates back to 1911, with the Gators holding a 23-4-3 advantage, including a 12-0 mark in games played in Gainesville. South Carolina has had all kinds of trouble holding onto the football at Florida, turning the ball over 11 times in three losses. The team is 4-3 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points and the college football lines page has them getting just less than a touchdown.
The Gamecocks are looking to capture two straight SEC road victories for the first time since 2008 and also their third win over a ranked opponent. Spurrier is 1-4 all-time when facing his alma mater. He won his first meeting against the Gators in 2005, winning 30-22 in Columbia, but has lost the last four meetings. During his time in Columbia, South Carolina is 9-17 against opponents ranked in either the AP or Coaches’ poll. Of the 17 losses, 10 have been by eight points or less. In order to pick up the upset victory, the secondary will need to step after being gashed for 303 yards versus Arkansas in a 41-20 defeat.
Florida hosts South Carolina fresh off a 55-14 road victory against Vanderbilt and are looking to sweep its SEC East schedule for the third consecutive season and 11th time since divisional play began in 1992. The Gators come in riding a wave of momentum after suffering three consecutive losses to Alabama, LSU and Mississippi State in October. “We stumbled around a lot. I feel like we’re back on track,” said center Mike Pouncey. “It means a lot.” The offense has gained 465.0 yards per game in its last two, after managing to rack up just 329 yards a contest through the first seven games. Florida is 9-2 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 7 points.
The Gators defense is a high-flying act of late, allowing just 109 yards of total offense versus the Commodores and also scoring its fourth defensive touchdown of the season. Florida’s defense also forced three turnovers in that contest and have 17 interceptions on the season. Offensively, Florida will test the Gamecocks’ defense through the air, a unit that ranks 109th in the nation against the pass. Quarterback John Brantley split time with freshman tight end Jordan Reed under center last week. Reed threw for 120 yards and is being compared to the departed Tim Tebow due to his 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame.
Bettors will find that the Gamecocks are 0-4 ATS mark in their last four games versus a team with a winning home record, while the Gators are 11-2 ATS in November.
The college football handicappers at Maddux Sports are ready to deliver a ton of winning selections on Saturday!
