Odds: South Carolina vs. Auburn

Following a thrashing of the Vanderbilt Commodores last week, the Gamecocks are now 1-2 on the year straight up and 3-0 against the spread.

Looking to keep that streak going, South Carolina will take on the Auburn Tigers this Saturday at noon.

USC is fresh off their best showing off the year dominating offensively and defensively while Auburn, truthfully, should have lost at home against Arkansas after the refs botched a clear backwards pass call with the game on the line.

So, it’s safe to say the trajectory of the Gamecocks is on the rise while it may be time to start selling your stock on the Tigers. A ranked win is a rank win, though, and according to vegasinsider.com, the oddsmakers are giving South Carolina a shot in this one as they are currently 3.5-point dogs.

The line hasn’t moved much either since it opened at an even three points.

ESPN’s FPI seems to disagree with the spread slightly, giving South Carolina only a 33.8% shot of taking the game.

The over/under is set at 49.5 points.

Why was the line set at this number?

Being undefeated against the spread and having played Tennessee well at home week one, Vegas probably decided to no longer sleep on the Gamecocks.

At the same time, South Carolina hasn’t won a game against Auburn in six tries since 1996. So, it’s safe to say history is on the side of the Tigers.

Also, it’s no secret the Cocks have struggled to beat ranked teams under head coach Muschamp.

Personally, I would have set the line closer to seven points because three is a little small for a team that hasn’t really proven itself yet.

You know Auburn is looking to silence the haters after last week too and show they are a force to be reckoned with.

What will have to happen for the Gamecocks to cover?

Simply, they have to keep up.

When Auburn didn’t play Georgia, they scored 29 and 30 points against Kentucky and Arkansas, two teams better than their records say.

This South Carolina defense isn’t Georgia’s, so I’m expecting a shootout.

To win, they will most likely have to come up big in the clutch and force the Tigers to pass because Bo Nix has honestly looked pedestrian thus far.

I’d draw up a game plan similar to the win against Georgia last season where the Gamecocks forced them to put the ball in Jake Fromm’s hands.

What’s the better bet?

I like the way this team played last week, but I have to give Auburn the edge.

Playing Vanderbilt, USC simply cashed in on what was supposed to occur.

The universe will balance itself out this week and give us some sort of heartbreaker as per usual.

I see an Auburn win somewhere between 4 and 14 points.