After beating Auburn last Saturday, Gamecocks now have an impressive 4-0 against the spread, while they are mediocre 2-2 overall in the year.
Hoping to stay warm, South Carolina is on the road at LSU for a prime time fight this Saturday night on ESPN.
The USC has just emerged from a ranking victory, where it generally played well on both sides of the ball. On the other hand, LSU is returning from a week of farewell from COVID-19 with the last game they played being the collapse in Missouri two weeks ago.
Although the Tigers are coming out of their less impressive performance in recent memory and may not be starting in quarterback Myles Brennan, they are still a seven-point favorite, according to VegasInsider.com.
The line remained firm on the number as well, despite news from Brennan.
ESPN’s FPI seems to agree with the spread as well, giving Gamecocks a 28.2% chance of winning the game.
The over / under is defined at 57 points.
Why was the line defined in this number?
I think of this LSU team as someone who has almost the same skill level as Auburn, except with a worse defense and a better quarterback.
Given that, I don’t think seven points is crazy from a Vegas point of view.
LSU is at home (although during the coronavirus I don’t think it makes as much difference as it used to) and they like to score points.
South Carolina would need to follow up to take this game, which, as we all know, sometimes they have a hard time doing.
In addition, dating from 1930, the Cocks have beaten the Tigers only twice, with their most recent victory in 1994.
As with Auburn last week, this is a sequence that the USC hopes to break and, until it happens, many people will sleep with them.
Tigers also had more time than Gamecocks to prepare for this confrontation and are probably determined to avenge their poor performance two weeks ago.
What will have to happen for Gamecocks to cover?
If Brennan is playing, they have to put all their attention into stopping the pass, because running is not the specialty of this team.
The only time the LSU’s leading rusher had more than 50 yards this season was against Vanderbilt, and they are not exactly known for their strong running defense.
If Brennan doesn’t fit in, things can go very well or very badly because they have no film on the other defenders.
They can play as reserves or they can play surprisingly well and shock South Carolina’s defense.
If the songs behave as this SB Nation writer thinks they could, then maybe the Cocks don’t even need to put 30 to cover.
What is the best bet?
I do not believe that a team that did not lose against the spread achieved a touchdown playing against an unclassified opponent.
Even if they lose, I also can’t imagine it being more than that.
This game will be a good test for South Carolina and will show if this team plans to enjoy their beautiful victory or try harder.
I think anything from a Gamecock win by 5 to a Gamecock loss by 5 is at stake here.