Week 8: Florida

My, how a week can change things. After the massive upset in Athens last week, the Gamecocks have an opportunity to do something no other team has done in the history of the program: beat two Top10 teams in back-to-back weeks. A win here would also greatly increase the odds of SC making it to Atlanta for just the 2nd time ever.

I believe I saw somewhere that since 2000 14 teams have pulled an upset as 20+ point underdogs and then were an underdog the next week. Only 1 of those teams won the 2nd week, but I believe the other 13 teams all beat the spread. The Gamecocks opened around 7-point underdogs, but that gap has closed and is now 4.5 or 5-points. My general thoughts about Florida are they haven’t been a good team this season, but have found a way to keep winning. I do think they have improved a lot since the beginning of the season, but I still believe they are overrated at #9. Others must think so as well.

The weather is going to be a major issue in this game, and I think the rain will favor the Gamecocks. SC has a better rushing offense and defense than their Gator opposites. The Gators defense will really miss their two defensive ends in this one. I shouldn’t pick the Gamecocks to win given how inconsistent they have been, but they have won 3 of the last 4 in the series at Williams-Brice, and I’m starting to believe in this team.

Prediction: USC 24 - Florida 21. Mrs. Teriyaki Chicken has it as 28 - 21. Go Cocks.