Navy Midshipmen at No. 10 South Carolina Gamecocks
Saturday, 9/17/11, 6:00 PM EST, TV: ESPN2
Opening Point Spread: South Carolina -17.5
Current Betting Line: South Carolina -16
Opening Total: 55.5
Current Total: 58
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Navy will meet South Carolina for the eighth time in series history and enters after winning two games to open the season versus lesser opponents. The Midshipmen knows that they are up against it when facing the Gamecocks on Saturday. “We’ve haven’t seen a team like that from an athletic standpoint,” commented Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo. “We know it’s going to be a tough challenge.” The program last played an SEC opponent in 2004, knocking off the Vanderbilt Commodores by a 29-26 score. Navy is an incredible 75-45 ATS as an underdog, but has failed to cover three of its last four games versus the Southeastern Conference.
The Midshipmen are leading the nation in rushing, averaging 400.5 yards per game on the ground. Navy has scored 40 or more points in back-to-back games, which is the first time that’s happened since the 2007 season. Since the 2003 campaign, Navy owns an 18-21 record against teams from a BCS conference. It’s a mark that the team is extremely proud of, as it represents the most such victories for a non-BCS school. A win over this year’s South Carolina team would be its highest-ranked upset since 1984.
South Carolina is off to a 2-0 start for the third time under head coach Steve Spurrier and is coming off a 45-42 win over Georgia as 2 1/2-point road favorites. The Gamecocks are certainly happy to be undefeated, but problems remain on the defensive end. “I talked to our defensive coaches the other day,” commented Spurrier. “We just have to play fast, play assignment ball and get after them.” It’s likely the team will walk away victorious on Saturday due to Spurriers 42-0 all-time record against teams outside of the BCS conferences. South Carolina is 7-3 ATS when playing in September and the ‘over’ is 6-3 in those games.
The Gamecocks feature one of the more talented offensive units in the entire country, led by sophomore running back Marcus Lattimore, who has rushed for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is a play maker in his own right, catching 10 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown. The key to success is always the quarterback position for a Spurrier-led team, as senior Stephen Garcia continues to be an up and down option. He is still 18-13 in 31 career starts and the best option uner center.
Bettors will likely back the Midshipmen due to their 41-17 ATS mark as a road underdog, while the Gamecocks are 1-5 ATS in their last six home games.
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