Alabama Crimson Tide at South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Preview

Opening point spread odds - total lines at 5Dimes : Crimson Tide -7.5 / Gamecocks +7.5 O/U 48

Time: 3:30 PM EST Saturday October 9, 2010 on ABC

IThis Saturday in a SEC match up the 19th ranked South Carolina Gamecocks (3-1) host the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0). The Gamecocks lost their first game of the season in their last game to Auburn so they head into this game 0-1 already in SEC play. The Gamecocks had last week off so they should be ready for this HUGE game.

Alabama has looked great this season and this is the third straight week they have faced a team that is nationally ranked. Alabama has been solid on both sides of the ball and their defense leads the nation only allowing an average of 9 points per game.

Heading into this game Alabama is 4-1 ATS and South Carolina is 2-2 ATS.

In their last games Alabama beat Florida 31-6 while South Carolina lost to Auburn 35-27 2 weeks ago.

Alabama has a well-balanced offense ranking 46th in the nation in passing yards per game and 17th in the nation in rushing yards per game. QB Greg McElroy, who was pretty quiet last week going 11/17 for 84 yards, leads them. Reigning Heisman winner RB Mark Ingram scored 2 TD's against Florida, but only averaged 3.9 yards per carry.

South Carolina ranks 41st in the nation in rushing defense and they have to play well against the RB duo of Ingram and Trent Richardson. They must play better against Alabama than they did against Auburn when they gave up 334 rushing yards.

South Carolina has a decent offense and they are led by QB Stephen Garcia, who played well against Auburn passing for 235 yards with 3 TD. He will be facing the weakness of the Alabama defense, which is their pass defense ranking 50th in the nation.

The Tide rank 19th in the nation in rushing defense and they will be up against a Gamecocks' rushing offense that ranks 54th in the nation, but struggled in the loss to Auburn only picking up 79 yards on the ground.

In Alabama's win over Florida they had fewer total yards, but they forced 4 turnovers.

Alabama is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games and 9-3 ATS in their last 12 road games.

South Carolina is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games against teams with a winning record and has an Under record of 5-2 in their last 7 SEC games.

The road team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 games between these 2 teams.

Our Selection : The Tide started season out with a lack of experience in their secondary. Many bettors are self included were licking our chops two weeks ago when Alabama went on the road to Arkansas for their first test versus a superior passing attack. They secondary did struggle in the first half as the Razorbacks went to the dressing room with a comfortable lead. The second half was a much different story. The Crimson Tide held Arkansas to just 3 points in their come from behind win.

They carried over their strong defensive play last week against Florida. The Gators amassed only 281 total yards and scored only 6 points. I look for Alabama to continue their strong play on the defensive side of the ball and for the Gamecocks to tighten up their rush defense after the shellacking in Auburn. Take Under 48.5 points at Bodog.


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