SEC Game of the Week – #22 South Carolina Gamecocks vs. #2 Alabama Crimson Tide
South Carolina Gamecocks at Alabama Crimson Tide
Game-day: 10/17/2009
Kick-off: 3:30 pm EST
Roll tide! That must have been what was coming from every single bar and restaurant in the state of Alabama, that wasn’t close to the University of Auburn or owned by a University of Auburn alum, after the Crimson Tide took down the Ole Miss Rebels in ‘Bama’s first real test in the SEC Conference. The Crimson Tide thumped the Rebels 22 to 3 in Mississippi.
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This week they return to the confines of Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa to take on the surprisingly good South Carolina Gamecocks.
The win moved Bama to 6-0 which had no effect on their rankings as they have held the #2 spot for the majority of the season. This week they will have to try to avoid the common let down after a big win because South Carolina is a seriously good team.
The Gamecocks have beaten the Rebels as well in 2009, but a 41 to 37 loss to Georgia in Georgia has left the Gamecocks with a 5 and 1 record. A tough victory versus Kentucky last week should set South Carolina up well for this game. 
The Gamecocks are 4 and 2 against the spread while the Crimson Tide is 5 and 1 ATS. Below are the NCAA sportsbook odds for this game.
Gamecocks vs. Crimson Tide Spread
South Carolina Gamecocks +17 -110
Alabama Crimson Tide -17 -110
Here are a few online betting trends for this game.
The South Carolina Gamecocks are 13 and 6 ATS in their last 19 games on the road.
The Alabama Crimson Tide is 8 and 1 ATS in their last 9 games on grass.
The Alabama Crimson Tide is 7 and 1 against the spread in their last 8 games in the SEC Conference.
The trends say that Alabama beats down South Carolina and easily covers the spread, but don’t be so quick to lay down a bet. Even though ‘Bama has the 2nd ranked defense in NCAA, Florida is 1st, by allowing only 218 yards per game, South Carolina is close with their 15th ranked defense. The Gamecocks allow only 280 yards per game and held Mississippi to 248 yards.
‘Bama held Mississippi to only 197 yards. These two teams didn’t meet last year and South Carolina certainly is a good team, but ‘Bama is ‘Bama.
If they were playing in South Carolina, then Alabama could definitely suffer a trap game as they were close to perfect last week against Ole Miss. But it’s not, It’s in Tuscaloosa where Coach Nick Saban will be able to keep his team focused on the game.
Alabama is just too good for South Carolina. The Crimson Tide beat Virginia Tech, one of the top 5 teams in college football this year, 34 to 24. Tide wide receivers Marquis Maze, Colin Peek, Julio Jones and running back Mark Ingram are too fast and strong for the Gamecock defenders.
I hate giving up 17 points in an SEC game, but the Tide has covered 5 out of 6 games this season. Their lone non-cover was a 33 ½ point spread against Florida International and that was after they beat Virginia Tech.
Coach Saban won’t let his team lose their focus facing South Carolina this Saturday.
Gamecocks vs. Crimson Tide Free Prediction:
Alabama should cover the spread.
