NCAAF Picks: The Missouri Tigers looked like a strong challenger for the Southeastern Conference East Division until last week’s alarming 31-27 home loss to the Indiana Hoosiers which casts a large shadow of doubt over their prospects of 2014. The South Carolina Gamecocks have often had an ugly look to their games but are finding ways to win as the current team to beat in the SEC East but with board value that has been subpar.
The South Carolina Gamecocks will host the Missouri Tigers on Saturday at Williams Brice Stadium. Coverage on ESPN starts at 7 PM ET. South Carolina opened as a 5.5-point favorite. BetDSI has the latest NCAAF odds.
Not So Cocky at Betting Window
South Carolina is 3-1 straight up, 1-3 against the spread, and is 3-1 over the total. USC is coming off a 48-34 win at Vanderbilt as they failed to cover as 23 point chalks. Defense remains a serious problem for the Gamecocks as they rank 114th overall nationally and 109th for points allowed, which are not championship numbers. Quarterback Dylan Thompson has been steady with an 11-3 TD-INT ratio and threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns in the win at Vandy.
Paper Tigers?
Mizzou is coming off an alarming 31-27 home loss to Indiana as 14 point home chalks in a shootout in which they outgained the Hoosiers 498-493. The sloppy Tigers committed 10 penalties and blew a 27-24 lead with two minutes to play as their 73rd in the nation ranked defense was exposed at crunch time. Mizzou is now 3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS, and 2-2 on totals.
Our Pick
Missouri has been an outstanding board value on the road as of late with nine payouts in their last 11 away games as eight out of their last nine away games have gone over the total. South Carolina on the other hand has been an effective betting value at home with 12 payouts in their last 20 home games as nine out of their last 14 home games have gone over the total. South Carolina has covered the first two meetings in this head to head series since Mizzou has joined the SEC with both games going under the total. We’ll call for South Carolina (-5.5) in this SEC East Division showdown.
