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South Carolina (7-3) +23, 50.5 O/U at Florida (8-1)
The Swamp, Gainesville, F.L., 3:30PM Eastern, Saturday
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Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks make their return to the Swamp this Saturday in a big SEC game. Florida has already clinched their ticket to play for the SEC Championship in Atlanta at the end of the season. However the Gators have bigger hopes because if they win out they will most likely return to play for the 2nd National Title in 3 years. The Gamecocks hope they can spoil those hopes when the Ole Ball Coach returns to Gainesville.

South Carolina has come on strong as the year as progressed after a slow 1-2 start. Since then, the Gamecocks have won 6 out of their last 7 games. The Gamecock defense has been tremendous all season while the offense has been trying to figure things out most of the year. Last week Coach Steve Spurrier rotated quarterbacks Stephen Garcia and Chris Smelly nearly every play for the entire game. The Ole Ball Coach has had a difficult year trying to find a single starting QB and felt that the two quarterback system could be effective. This week the Gators will have to be ready to see both Smelley and Garcia.

Florida has been very possibly the hottest team in the nation in recent weeks. They have flat destroyed teams like no. 10 Georgia, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and no. 20 LSU. In those four games, the Gators have averaged a 38 point margin of victory. Considering how difficult the SEC is week in and week out that is simply amazing. Florida has put up some really big point totals in recent weeks but the defense has played just as well not allowing over 14 points in their last 3 games. Florida has to keep the intensity going this weekend when they take on a fiery Gamecock squad.

Betus.com has opened the line favoring the Florida Gators by 23 points at (-23). Early betting action however has nearly 60% of the nation siding with South Carolina ATS. The over/under total for the battle will stand at a mark of 50.5 points. ML numbers have Florida listed at -1400 and South Carolina a +800.

Florida is led by last year Heisman winning QB Tim Tebow. Tebow has thrown for 1740 yards this season with 17 TDs and only two picks. Tebow has also put together 354 yards and 10 more touchdowns on the ground. Tebow has not had to do all the work this year with the emergence of junior back Percy Harvin. Harvin has been a threat where even he lines up on the field. Harvin has 513 receiving yards with 309 rushing yards and a total of 11 touchdowns. The Gator offense has been unstoppable and they look to keep the momentum rolling. However, they will go heads up with possibly the best defense they have played this season.

The Gamecock defense has been brutal on offense this year. They are a quick, strong group that lay some hard licks. South Carolina’s defense is ranked no. 3 in total yards holding teams to 256 yards per game. The Carolina secondary has started a tradition of being one of the top groups in the nation. They have held teams to only 155 passing yards per game ranking them 4th best in college football. Offensively, South Carolina has found some confidence behind freshmen QB Stephen Garcia. Garcia is elusive QB that can escape pressure and keep the play alive. Garcia has a strong arm and can throw some good looking passes but perhaps his experience causes him to make some bad choices from time to time. QB Chris Smelley will also see time behind center, and he has had an up and down type year. One thing is for sure both QBs will be looking at star WR Kenny McKinley who broke Sterling Sharpe’s all-time South Carolina receiving record last week. McKinley has 2602 yards for his career and has proved time and time again that he is a big play receiver. The Gamecocks will look to go to McKinley early and often.

This game is very similar to the matchup between the Gamecocks and Gators in 2006. Going into that game the Gators controlled their own destiny in the SEC and also had a shot at getting to the National Championship. The Gamecocks were a big underdog in that game and came out and really controlled Florida on both sides of the ball. The Gators were able to block 3 kicks in that game including a field goal in the final seconds to hold off Spurrier’s Gamecocks 17-16. Florida went on to win the SEC, and the National Championship.

Betting Trends…
South Carolina is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and 11-3-1 in their last 15 games ATS. Florida is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 while being 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games at home. Florida has been on the over total in 5 of their last 6 games.

Predictem Pick:
I like the Gamecocks to cover the points in this one. The defense is really good and if the SC offense can make some big plays they could give the Gators problems.