The Gamecocks (-8) are gearing up to host their conference rival Tennessee Volunteers in South Carolina. The game is scheduled to get going at 7:30 p.m. ET and SEC Network has the TV rights.
Tennessee Volunteers at South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Preview
Tennessee is a big road underdog in this SEC game and is currently receiving 8 points. The Volunteers are also receiving +250 moneyline odds while the Gamecocks are -330. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 53.5 points. Multiple good live betting opportunities might be unveiled during this game.
The Volunteers are 3-4 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 4.0 units so far in 2018. The team’s posted an O/U record of 4-3. The Gamecocks are down 1.1 units this season. The team is 3-3 ATS and has an even O/U record of 3-3.
The Volunteers are 3-4 straight up (SU), including 1-3 SU against SEC opponents. The Gamecocks are 3-3 SU overall and 2-3 SU in conference play.
The Volunteers lost to Alabama 58-21 in a thumping where the Volunteers completed 14-of-25 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns. Keller Chryst went nine-for-15 for 164 yards and two touchdowns while Jarrett Guarantano completed five-of-10 for 63 yards. Tim Jordan (50 rushing yards on 14 attempts) led the ground attack in the loss while Jauan Jennings (six receptions, 102 yards) and Chandler (three catches, 39 yards, one TD) manned the receiving duties.
Two weeks ago, Texas A&M knocked off this South Carolina crew by a score of 26-23. The Gamecocks defense allowed the Aggies to pass for 353 yards while rushing for 105 yards. Jace Sternberger put up a good outing, recording 145 yards on seven catches for Texas A&M. For South Carolina, Jake Bentley completed 17-of-35 passes for 223 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Ty’Son Williams (48 yards on seven rush attempts) mounted the ground game in the defeat as Deebo Samuel (seven receptions, 88 yards, one TD) and Bryan Edwards (four catches, 42 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
Tennessee has run the ball on 63.0 percent of its offensive possessions this year while South Carolina has an overall rush percentage of 48.9 percent. The Volunteers have rushed for 141 yards per game (including 80 per game versus Southeastern opponents) and have 10 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Gamecocks are averaging 154 rush yards per game (132 in conference) and have five total rushing TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then it seems like the Gamecocks should have an edge in terms of effectiveness in the ground game. Their backfield has logged 4.5 yards per carry while the defense has allowed 4.2 YPC to opponents. The Volunteers have tallied 3.6 yards per carry while allowing a YPC of 4.6 to opponents.
The Vols offense has tallied 210 yards/game through the air overall (227 per game versus conference opposition) and has nine passing TDs so far. The Gamecocks have put up 250 pass yards per game (241.6 in the SEC) and have 15 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Tennessee has allowed 162 rush yards and 223 pass yards per game. The South Carolina defense has allowed 199.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 179.2 yards per game on the ground. The Gamecocks are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.45 to opponents, while the Volunteers have given up a 7.07 ANY/A.
Offensively, Guarantano is up to 864 passing yards this season, and has connected on 62 percent of his 103 attempts with four passing scores and two interceptions. Guarantano’s got a 6.82 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.98 over the last two games.
Jauan Jennings, Ty Chandler and Josh Palmer have combined for 459 total yards and three touchdowns over the last two outings.
For the home team, Michael Scarnecchia has connected on 27-of-47 passes for 338 yards, four TDs and zero INTs. Scarnecchia’s ANY/A sits at 7.82 for the year and 8.33 over his last two games.
Deebo Samuel, Bryan Edwards and Ty’Son Williams have combined for 393 total yards and four touchdowns as a trio over the last couple of outings.
When these two programs met last year, South Carolina won by a pair of field goals 15-9.
RELATED: Week 9 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Pick: Tennessee Volunteers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
SU Winner – South Carolina, ATS Winner – South Carolina, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes
South Carolina has lost five fumbles this season while Tennessee has let eight get away.
The Tennessee defense has 12 sacks on the year while South Carolina has 10.
Tennessee has averaged 1.8 yards per rush attempt across its last three games and 1.5 over its last two.
South Carolina has averaged 3.3 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.1 over its past two.
Over its last three matchups, South Carolina is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Tennessee’s last game was set at 58. The over cashed in the team’s 58-21 defeat to Alabama.
Over its last three games, Tennessee is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for South Carolina’s previous match was set at 49.5. The under cashed in the 26-23 defeat to Texas A&M.
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