OK, I've kept my mouth shut all week about this game, but i have to speak up now.
Aren't you just slightly worried about this line being so low? Yeah yeah, I know, Miami sucks and it's no surprise that they lost on the road. Still, does it make any sense to ANYONE that this line opened lower than the Miami line? Does this not make you scratch your head a bit trying to figure out why the Cocks aren't -13 in this game?
I am under the impression the line opened at -9?
I don't think many hold the Gamecocks in high regard as it is. I think I've heard 4 analyst put them on UPSET alert this week. The dogs have been barking loud, and here we have a home dog.
Frankly, I am done worrying about the line. At this point, I can only go with my gut, my feel for SC games, and what I have seen from NC. If I lose this bet, I guess I got suckered in and the books along with their crystal balls were right but I know that if I had to make this bet again next week knowing what I know today, I would do it all over again.
Yates, while he is completing 61%, hasn't thrown a TD pass in his last 3 games. Lets look at these numbers.
vs. USF: 11/27 for 85yds, 0td, 4int
vs. VT: 16/25 for 182yds, 0td, 1int
vs. UM: 15/23 for 218yds, 0td, 0int.
SC has a good pass defense, maybe its not #1 in the nation like it is currently ranked, but it is good. If Yates has any of those 3 performances vs. SC, his team will lose the game by a lot, I am confident in that.
I think game plan wise, Spurrier is going to go right after their young secondary and should have success doing so.
I "feel" pretty good about this bet. Maybe I am a sucker, maybe not, we will see. I am not scared of anything UNC does and I believe the gamecocks are going to give a focused effort.
*I hate unders. I needed 7 td's in the 2nd half to lose my under and sure enough it happened. AHHHHH
I want to say this now though. If the SC game goes how I believe it go, Vandy should have some value at 12:30 next Saturday. SC has Tennessee on deck and really it has been 2 emotional games in a row with UK and UNC, the players are really hyped for the UNC game. Prior to their big games this yr, SC has not looked their best. ULL before UGA and SC State before LSU are 2 examples. I think Spurrier will play some mind games with the boys as well. This week practice has been great. Say they go up to UNC and romp them, the players will be feeling good about themselves, maybe a little over confident. Practice that week will prob be sloppy and the game day atmosphere vs. Vandy will be dull since it is an early game. I am just expecting a sloppy performance vs. Vandy and Spurrier will break the team down and get them ready for UT.