NCAA Football Week 8 BCS Contender Showdown: (9) South Carolina Gamecocks at (3) Florida Gators

Connor Shaw and the Gamecocks come in ranked 7th in the BCS standings, and 9th in the AP poll.
(9) South Carolina- (3) Florida
Time: 3:30 PM EST, Sat
Spread: FLA -3
Total: 42

Odds from Bookmaker

Florida is still undefeated (6-0, 5-0) on the strength of what could be the best defense in the nation. They’ve made the most SEC championship appearances but they haven’t played for a title since the Tim Tebow days, when they were defeated by the Crimson Tide three seasons ago.

The Gators are only one win away from matching their win total last season, and Gators coach WIll Muschamp delivered the bottom line, saying “we’re about winning championships on and off the field…and it’s another step to Atlanta.”

Jeff Driskel looked good in Florida’s 31-17 win over Vandy last week, running for 177 yards and three TDs, while the Gators racked up 326 rushing yards, which was only 10 shy of their season high.

Florida will be getting back Jon Harrison and Xavier Nixon this week, and James WIlson will be returning, as well. Muschamp said he was “hopeful to have all those guys back” adding that they would be “fine or probable at the worst.”

South Carolina will prove to be a big challenge though. They were unbeaten until they lost 23-21 to then-No. 9 LSU last Saturday. The LSU loss made the Gators No. 1 in the SEC.

Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore won’t start the game, because he’s hindered by a bruised hip. Lattimore has 584 yards on the year with 10 TDs, but had just 35 yards on 13 carries last week. If Lattimore is unable to carry a large load, ball caring duties will be relegated to backup Kenny Miles and frosh Mike Davis.

In addition to Lattimore’s struggles, QB Connor Shaw threw two INTs and was sacked four times as the OL struggled to protect him in the pocket.

The Gamecocks DL struggled to record sacks of their own after amassing 25 sacks in the first six games. Jadeveon Clowney has 6.5 sacks on the year. It will prove crucial to South Carolina to get active with their pass rush to disturb Driskel.

The Gamecocks trail 6-23-3 in the series and are looking for their third consecutive win against the Gators, but college football oddsmakers have set the line three points in favor of Muschamp and the Gators.

South Carolina Betting Trends:

Gamecocks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 conference games, 6-0 ATS in their last 6 following an ATS win, 7-0 ATS in their last 7 vs teams with winning records, 14-5-1 ATS in their last 20 games after allowing 200+ rushing yards in previous game, 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games.

Florida Betting Trends:

Gators are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 conference games, 5-0 ATS in their last 5 following an SU win, 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games vs teams with winning road records, 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 at home, 5-0 ATS in their last 5 overall.

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