Football Betting Odds - #1 Florida at South Carolina 3

Saturday, November 14: 3:30 p.m.

BetUS.com Football Betting Odds: Florida -15

With the Florida Gators having already wrapped up the SEC East, their last big obstacle in finishing the regular season undefeated comes Saturday, when they visit the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Here are some BetUS.com Betting Trends Which May Impact This Game:

• South Carolina: 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
• South Carolina: 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games against Florida
• South Carolina: 1-12 SU in their last 13 games against Florida
• Florida: 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games
• Florida: 10-1-1 ATS in their last 12 road games
• Florida: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of their last 7 games
  

Florida is currently 9-0, and hasn’t lost since the last week of September…in 2008! They are led by All-American and former Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow, one of the most prolific college players ever. On the season, Tebow has thrown for 1500 yards and 11 touchdowns, while also doubling as the Gators top rusher, with 578 yards and nine additional scores as well. Tight end Aaron Hernandez is actually the team’s top receiver, with 43 catches for 541 yards.

However, no matter how much credit this offense gets, it’s the defense that has truly made them championship caliber. They are ranked No. 1 in scoring defense, allowing just 10 points per game, and also are No. 2 in total defense, allowing just 232 yards per game. Their 2nd ranked passing defense could give South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia fits as well.

Speaking of the Gamecocks, they are in the midst of their midyear freefall, having lost three of their last four games. While their defense has been phenomenal, their offense has left a lot of points on the field, as they have been unable to score more than 14 points in their last four games. Garcia has only completed 57 percent of his passes on the year, although it is truly the lack of a running game which has caused South Carolina to struggle. They are ranked just 91st in all of college football, getting 121 yards per game from their running backs.

As I mentioned earlier, this is the last very difficult game left on the Gators schedule, before their December 5 SEC Championship game date with Alabama. Although South Carolina hasn’t been a traditional power, it is important to note that as recently as 2005 the Gamecocks beat the Gators, and the next year (in Florida’s National Championship run), Florida needed a blocked field goal to escape against South Carolina.

There should be no need for an escape Saturday. While we can all agree that Florida isn’t nearly as potent offensively as they were a year ago, South Carolina’s offense has been nothing short of abysmal these last few weeks. Teams are forcing the Gamecocks to throw the ball, and unfortunately for Garcia, he just doesn’t have the playmakers or protection to do enough.

While this is one of the highest point spreads ever in this series, Florida should cover it as favorites. Their offense is far from perfect, but as has been the case all year, the defense will make up for their shortfalls.

Take the Gators, giving 15 points in this week’s BetUS.com college football betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Florida -15