Posted on
10/4/2007 4:25:34 PM
NCAA Football Betting - Kentucky (+3.5) vs. South Carolina (-3)
By Robby Maddux
The No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats (+3½) have won 10 of their past 11 games straight up, going 9-1 ATS (against the spread) during the span, as they invade Williams Brice Stadium to face the No. 11 South Carolina Gamecocks (-3½) in an NCAA football betting dandy on primetime.
Last week, the Wildcats downed Florida Atlantic 45-17 at home as the 24-point favorites, which is important to know for tonight's game, because Kentucky is 4-0 ATS in their last four games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
As well, they are 7-0 ATS in their last seven games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
Kentucky is led by quarterback Andre Woodson. In last week's cover win, Woodson had his NCAA record streak of 325 attempts without a pick ended. Still, he threw a career-best five touchdown passes with 301 yards.
Offensively as a group, the Wildcats are scoring a hefty 46.6 points per game to be fifth in the nation, while racking up 492.2 yards.
Woodson isn't likely to go off again this evening, because the Gamecock's secondary is ranked No. 1 in the country in pass defense and is much stronger than that of Florida Atlantic's.
The defensive unit for the Gamecocks is surrendering just 106.4 yards per game through the air and 307.6 yards overall. Collectively, they are allowing a stingy 15.6 points per game.
Kentucky isn't nearly as strong on defense as South Carolina. The Wildcats are surrendering 22 points per game and 384.8 yards.
Last week, South Carolina posted a home cover victory over Mississippi State 38-21 as the 14-point favorites. In the win, the defense's passing squad allowed just 118 yards. Keep that in mind for tonight, because the Gamecocks are 10-1 ATS in their last eleven games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
The Gamecocks are now 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall.
Freshman quarterback Chris Smelley started at quarterback in place of fifth-year senior Blake Mitchell in the win. Smelley posted 279 yards with two touchdown passes.
The Gamecocks haven't lost to Kentucky since 1999, winning the past seven games straight up. South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier hasn't lost to the Wildcats period, a perfect 14-0 in his career at Florida and South Carolina.
In last year's meeting, the Gamecocks cashed with a 24-7 win as the field goal favorites in Kentucky. The Wildcats are 3-8 ATS in their last eleven meetings between the two.
NCAA football odds list South Carolina the -3½-point favorites with a total of 57.5. The Gamecocks are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as a favorite, and the Wildcats are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as an underdog.
NCAA football betting has started, and BetUS sportsbook already has tons of college football Futures betting available for those of us who can't wait. Bet on the Heisman winner, Conference and Divisional winners and, of course, the 2008 BCS National Championship winner. Bet NCAA Football Futures in our sportsbook today in the Future / props section!