Odds: Gamecocks pegged as Outback Bowl underdogs to Michigan

The South Carolina Gamecocks will hit the road to Tampa on New Year’s Day for an Outback Bowl rematch against Michigan as 7.5-point underdogs.

The betting line has held steady since it opened, occasionally creeping up to Michigan by 8.

The Wolverines finished fourth in the Big Ten East, compiling a 5-4 conference record and going 8-4 overall. With an excellent defense and discombobulated offense, Michigan shares some similarities with the Gamecocks. The Wolverines’ program is in a different place, however: bitter losses to rivals Michigan State and Ohio State have some re-examining their expectations for coach Jim Harbaugh, and incredibly, the Wolverines have not beaten a team with a winning record this season. Much like the Gamecocks, Michigan will be looking to end the year on a high note and enter the offseason with positive momentum.

The over/under is set at 43. South Carolina is 7-4-1 against the spread this season, while the Wolverines are 5-6-1.