ESPN gets a super SEC Saturday night game to bet on college football with as #14 Auburn hosts #15 South Carolina in matchup of upstart and undefeated teams. Sbg global opened with the Auburn Tigers as a 3-point home favorite over the South Carolina Gamecocks with an over/under of 46. Kickoff is set for 7:50 PM Eastern.
Surprise Contenders
Both the Gamecocks and Tigers are coming off bowl seasons and were expected to see post season action yet again. Contending for their respective division titles in the Southeastern Conference was quite another matter.
Auburn is 3-0 straight up but just 1-2 against the spread and is 1-0 in SEC play good for first place in the West Division. The Tigers scored a thrilling over time win last week over Clemson 27-24 but failed to get the money as 7.5-point home favorites for their 2nd under of the season. Auburn showed character in rallying from a 17-0 deficit to get the win.
South Carolina is tied for first in the SEC East with a record of 3-0 straight up including 1-0 in SEC play and with a college football betting mark of 2-1 against the spread. The Gamecocks made a big statement 2 weeks ago in a 17-6 home win and payout over Georgia that this was to be their year to challenge Florida for the East Division crown.
Key Matchup
South Carolina has had a strong defense in recent years under head coach Steve Spurrier and ranks 11th in the country for points allowed. Carolina will have their hands full against Auburn’s superstar quarterback Cam Newton, who is a Heisman Trophy candidate. Newton is a double threat as he leads the Tigers in rushing with a 6.2 yards per carry average while averaging 11.2 yards per pass attempt with 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. This will be the Gamecocks biggest challenge of the season thus far.
SC Man to Watch
Freshman running back Marcus Lattimore of South Carolina is as good as advertised and he leads USC in rushing with 333 yards and 4.8 yards per carry average.
Trends
Carolina has been a good dog to bet on college football with as they have paid out in 6 out of their last 8 games as pups. Auburn has covered just 1 out of their last 8 as a chalk.