The Gamecocks are coming off their bye week, but the last time they took the field they suffered their first loss of the season; a 35-27 defeat to the Auburn Tigers. They also failed to cover the point spread evening their against the spread (ATS) record to 2-2.

In their defeat to Auburn, South Carolina’s defense was exposed on the ground. The Tigers’ rushing attack exploded for 334 yards on 57 caries. If South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier doesn’t have his defense in check, they will have a hard time covering the point spread, let alone pulling the upset.

As everyone knows by now, the Crimson Tide offense prides itself on their rushing attack. Since missing the first two games, reigning Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram has tallied 355 yards and six touchdowns.

Last season versus South Carolina, Ingram averaged 10.3 yards per carry en route to ripping off 246 yards and a touchdown. Bama won 20-6; however, South Carolina bettors didn’t mind as they covered the 17.5 point spread.

To make matters worse, the ‘Cocks are a bit banged up on defense with numerous starters expected to play hurt, except for linebacker Shaq Wilson who appears to be done for the season.

Speaking of injuries, Alabama’s star wide receiver is nursing a bruised knee but is expected to play. In last year’s victory against South Carolina Jones failed to catch a pass. Quarterback Greg McElroy also struggled completing just 10-20 passes for 92 yards and an interception. This season South Carolina’s defense gives up 240.3 passing yards per game, so perhaps they’ll have more success on Saturday.

As far as South Carolina’s passing attached is concerned, there appeared to be a QB controversy during the Auburn loss. Starter Stephen Garcia was yanked by Spurrier after the second of two fourth quarter fumbles, replacing him with freshman Connor Shaw. Spurrier stated that Garcia will indeed start versus the Tide.

Alabama’s defensive backfield is young, but through five games is surrendering just 191.4 passing yards per game. Even more impressive, opposing quarterbacks have combined for only one touchdown to11 interceptions. Garcia could be in for a long day…

Ingram and his running mate Trent Richardson will once again do their thing, churning out one long gain after the other. Garcia will be in way over his head and will face plenty of 3^rd and longs; resulting in turnovers and punts.

Playing on the road hasn’t affected Bama’s covering prowess recently as they are 8-2 ATS in their last ten games away from home. They’ll make it 9 out of 11 on Saturday.

Get over to Sportsbook.com and bet Alabama -7.5 points now.

The Tigers realize they are very lucky to be unbeaten, thanks to a crazy finish over Tennessee where the Tigers scored the game-winning TD with no time left on the clock. Florida’s undefeated run ended with a sound 31-6 beating at the hands of Alabama. Both teams committed four turnovers in their games last Saturday.

LSU’s offense has been dismal this year. The Tigers are averaging less than 25 PPG and rank 112^th among FBS schools with 131 passing YPG. LSU is winning games because of a stellar defense that is fifth in nation in scoring (12.4 PPG), and sixth in total defense (247 YPG).

Florida QB John Brantley will need to have his best game for Florida to be successful. He has played much better at home (65% completion rate, 5 TD, 1 INT) than on the road (56%, 1 TD, 2 INT) this year, albeit against weaker competition.

After exploding on LSU in their last meeting in the Swamp (51-21 in 2008), Florida survived a defensive struggle last year, winning 13-3 in Baton Rouge. These two betting trends found at Sportsbook.com support bettors backing the Gators:

Play Against – Road underdogs of 3.5 to 10 points (LSU) – excellent rushing team (>=4.8 YPR) against an average rushing team (3.5 to 4.3 YPR), after gaining 5.5 or more rushing yards/attempt last game. (23-5 over the last 10 seasons.) (82.1%, +17.5 units. Rating = 2*).

LSU head coach Les Miles is 5-17 ATS (-13.7 Units) after 3 or more consecutive straight up wins as the coach of LSU. The average score was LSU 28.0, OPPONENT 20.3 – (Rating = 2*).

For those interested in betting on the ‘total’, be aware of the following trend:

Play Over – All teams where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points (FLORIDA, LSU) – with a winning record on the season playing another winning team, in conference games. (99-50 over the last 5 seasons.) (66.4%, +44 units. Rating = 3*).

The LSU vs. Florida over-under is currently 42 points.

To check out more football betting odds for this weekend’s this weekend’s games, head over to Sportsbook.com now.

Every game has playoff implications, so buckle up and enjoy this week’s CFL action!

Friday, October 8, 7:30 PM ET

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EDMONTON ESKIMOS (4-9) vs. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (6-7)

Spread: Hamilton -6

Moneyline:

Total: 52 points

The Edmonton Eskimos will try to make it two straight wins against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night. Last week, Edmonton got a great performance from quarterback Ricky Ray on their way to a 37-35 home win. They gained 426 yards on offense and for once didn’t turn the ball over.

Hamilton missed a chance to overtake Toronto for sole possession of second place in the East but their defense let them down. The offense was still strong, led by Kevin Glenn and his second ranked passing offense and running back DeAndra Cobb who appears to finally be breaking out of his season long slump.

CFL Football Betting Outlook:

The Edmonton Eskimos are 1-5 S/U and 2-4 ATS this season on the road and are 5-8 ATS overall. Hamilton is 6-7 ATS this season and is just 3-3 ATS and S/U at home.

Hamilton is a better football team than they showed last week. At home, they should feed off a raucous crowd and finally break through and gain sole possession of second place in the East. Edmonton had their one good offensive game of the season last week. I don’t expect the offensive onslaught to continue.

CFL Football Betting Pick: Hamilton Tiger-Cats -6

TORONTO ARGONAUTS (6-7) vs. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (-4)

Saturday, October 9, 5:00 PM ET

Spread: Saskatchewan -11 ½

Moneyline:

Total: 49 points

The Toronto Argonauts bring their league worst offense to Saskatchewan on Saturday in hopes of stopping their latest losing skid. They will likely get quarterback Cleo Lemon back from injury – I’m not sure it is a good thing! Cory Boyd, who returned from a two game absence last week still leads the CFL in rushing and will be the focal point of the Argo offense.

Toronto also has the worst defense in the league, surrendering an average of 402.7 yards per game.

The Saskatchewan Rough Riders have played an up-tempo, high powered offensive game all season. Quarterback Darian Durant is Top three in the CFL in most statistical categories and Andy Fantuz and Wexton Dressler rank third and fourth respectively in receiving yards in the league.

The Riders also boast the most productive running back in the game. Wes Cates has an astonishing 14 touchdowns on the year so far.

CFL Football Betting Outlook:

Saskatchewan is a tough team to slow down for even the best defenses in the CFL. Toronto’s defense has little or no chance against a Saskatchewan team that is a perfect 6-0 at home. As for the Toronto offense – they’ve scored 20 touchdowns all season – Wes Cates of the Riders has 14 by himself. You get the idea don’t you?

CFL Football Betting Pick: Saskatchewan Rough Riders – 11 ½

BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS (5-8) vs. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (3-10)

Sunday, October 11, 4:30 PM ET

Spread: Winnipeg -3 ½

Moneyline:

Total: 52 points

The BC Lions head to Winnipeg this week to try to sweep both ends of a home-and-home against the Blue Bombers. BC has won two straight games and four of its last five as they continue their quest for a playoff spot.

BC will start Travis Lulay at quarterback once again after a somewhat pedestrian outing last week in which he passed for 237 yards and added a touchdown rushing. The Lions have been playing much better football of late and have finally achieved the preseason form that had them as preseason favorites to represent the West in this year’s Grey Cup.

The Winnipeg Blue Bomber will surprisingly turn to an untested quarterback on Sunday, electing to start Alex Brink over Steven Jyles who had been performing well under center for the Bombers. This should be a major blow to the league’s top receiver Terrence Edwards who has 1106 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns on the year.

Running Back Fred Reid, who is second in the CFL with 1041 yards rushing, will have to be a major factor on Sunday if the Bombers hope to get back on the winning track.

CFL Football Betting Outlook:

The BC Lions have played good defense all season long and held the Bombers to just 14 points last week – and that was with a somewhat seasoned quarterback. With little or no threat from the Winnipeg passing game, the Lions will be able to play to stop Fred Reid who appears to be the only viable threat in the Blue Bombers offense.

It is likely that the Lions will only have to play average ball to win Sunday’s tilt and they are certainly capable of that.

CFL Football Betting Pick: BC Lions + 3 ½

CALGARY STAMPEDERS (10-3) vs. MONTREAL ALOUETTES (9-4)

Monday, October 11, 1:00 PM ET

Spread: Montreal – 3 ½

Moneyline:

Total: 58 points

The Calgary Stampeders avenged a horrible loss to BC last week by beating up on the Montreal Alouettes. Henry Burris continued his MVP-type season and accounted for 412 yards and four touchdowns through the air and 56 yards rushing in that game. Calgary’s defense has consistently been one of the best units in the CFL all season long and should give the Alouettes fits once again.

The Montreal Alouettes are the class of the East but they struggle on the road. This week, they are at home, where they are a completely different team. Anthony Calvillo was OK last week as was the rest of his offense but it was the defense that really let them down.

Montreal gave up over 40 points for the second week in a row and if they can’t stop the bleeding immediately, Calgary will dominate once again this week.

CFL Football Betting Outlook:

Montreal was beaten in almost every aspect of the game last week. But what hurt the most was the injury to their all-star kicker David Duval. He is very iffy again this week and in a game in which the teams are so statistically close; one X-factor could be the difference.

Calgary should win the field position battle and ultimately upset the Alouettes in Montreal.

CFL Football Betting Pick: Calgary Stampeders +3

Check out the latest football game lines in the sportsbook, click here.

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wisconsin Badgers
12 pm ET Saturday

College Football Betting Line: Wisconsin favored at -22 ½.

While the Gophers started out as a spread team in Tim Brewster’s first few years, they’ve tried to go back to a smash-mouth style in recent games.

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But their running game hasn’t been up to snuff and while Adam Weber has been efficient throwing the ball, the team lacks downfield threats. None of their skill guys scare anyone and they don’t get very many big plays on offense. The defense is also a step slow which helps explain the college football betting advice that Wisconsin will likely win big.

The Badgers are similar to Minnesota scheme-wise but they do better in just about every aspect of the game.
That means that a blowout is definitely like on Saturday, especially with homefield advantage at Wisconsin’s disposal.

The crowd will be into this one like no other game this year save perhaps the Ohio State game. On one hand, it being a rivalry game will fire Minnesota up. But it could also make them mistake-prone and Wisconsin is a much better team capable of capitalizing on any and all mistakes.

While Wisconsin doesn’t blow a lot of teams out, the style similarities and talent disparity means there’s a different feel surrounding this one. It is for those reasons that Wisconsin will rise to the occasion and stuff the Minnesota run game on their way to a big blowout victory at home.

College Football Betting Advice: Pick Wisconsin at -22 ½ despite the big spread.

This ACC encounter starts week two of the college football campaign and it has the potential to be a good one. If history is any indication, bettors should be loading up on Clemson, as underdogs have dominated the head-to-head series between the Tigers and Yellow Jackets. Currently, Sportsbook.com has Clemson as 5 ½ point dogs.

In week 1, Georgia Tech manhandled Jacksonville State 37-17, while Clemson covered the spread against Middle Tennessee State 37-14. The Yellow Jackets are getting love in Southern circles with their 16 returning starters.

Forget any talk about coach Paul Johnson’s triple option offense won’t work against better athletes. It’s not as if Johnson is recruiting the same level of player he could at Navy. Georgia Tech should be plenty explosive in its second year of this offense, with Josh Nesbitt running the show. The offensive backfield will be as good as any in the ACC and if Nesbitt becomes a better passer, watch out! The Jackets however are just 6-5 ATS as ACC home favorites the last three years.

Dabo Swinney got on the job training last season as interim head coach and his enthusiasm ignited Clemson to win four of their last five regular season games. Coach Swinney hopes Kyle Parker steps up as his choice at quarterback. Parker has a good arm and is fairly mobile, with his backup Willy Korn the more elusive runner with a weaker arm. If the offensive line produces as expected, running back C.J. Spiller should have a huge season. Spiller is a constant home run threat, but will stick his helmet into the pile to pick up a few yards for a club that is 16-8 ATS as ACC single digit dog.

Sportsbook.com has Georgia Tech as 5.5-point favorite with total at 42. This will be a “Whiteout” contest for the Yellow Jackets, with fans in white t-shirts at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Nesbitt will have to do a better job of hanging onto the ball after a pair of fumbles last week. The Jackets are 16-5 ATS in the first two weeks of the season and 18-5 UNDER when playing on a Thursday. Clemson is 6-1 ATS as road underdogs and is 7-1 UNDER playing on the day before Friday.

This is a wacky series, with the underdog 17-3 against the spread. Clemson is in a revenge spot, losing 21-17 at home as 2.5-point favorites last season in what was coach Swinney’s first game as Tigers coach. The road team is 7-3 ATS in this hotly contested series.

ESPN will televise this frantic ACC encounter, with kickoff set for around 7:45 Eastern.

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Miami is 4-1 ATS at Tallahassee and has new coordinators on both sides of the ball to work with 16 returning starters. The Hurricanes will feature a pro-style attack, with sophomore Jacory Harris running the show solo, Robert Marve having transferred. Graig Cooper leads a rushing attack that should be improved, with a greater commitment after averaging only 129 yards per game a season ago. This is key area for Miami since they are 22-8 ATS in road games when they rush for 150 to 200 yards.

Defensively, a number of real solid players are available, though not the typical All-American studs normally seen on the Coral Gables campus. The Hurricanes were last in run defense in the ACC a year ago and defensive packs managed only two interceptions. Linebacker is the best position at the “U”, with Sean Spence the ringleader.

Most of the off-season talk on the Florida State campus has centered on legendary Bobby Bowden losing 14 wins in 2006-07 for rules infractions. As Florida State continues the fight to reinstate those victories, Bowden will work on something he can control, this year’s team.

The Seminoles regained their strength up front on offense, averaging 177 yards rushing per game in 2008. All five starters from that contingent are back and will be leaned on heavily, while new receivers are discovered for sophomore signal caller Christian Ponder. Last season, Ponder played like a talented freshman, showing glimpses of good and bad, he’ll be expected to improve if Florida State expects to be ACC Atlantic champs. Defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews, in his 26th season, will have work to do with just five starters back. How quickly Andrews can make this cohesive unit will set the tone.

Sportsbook.com has the Seminoles as 6-1/2-point favorites with a total of 48. Florida State is only 12-19 ATS as an ACC home favorite since 2001 and will be playing in Doak Campbell Stadium at well below capacity. The Canes are 6-3 ATS as conference road underdogs the last five years in this competitive series.

This Florida battle has been dominated by the underdog, covering eight of the last 10 times. That has usually been the road team, who is 8-3 ATS in these gatherings. Keep an eye on the first team to score, with this squad emerging as straight up winner 80 percent of the time in last 20 encounters.

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On Sunday, highly touted Ole Miss visits Memphis as a 16.5-point road favorite, and Colorado hosts Colorado State, also as double-digit chalk. Bettors are backing both favorites at last checked on Sportsbook.com.

(205) OLE MISS at (206) MEMPHIS

This will be the sixth straight time these teams that are separated by a mere 85 miles will start a new campaign matched against one another. Ole Miss is the sexy SEC West pick, led by QB Jevan Snead. Going from trendy underdog to flashy front-runner has sidetracked more than one team in the past. Mississippi is 29-11 ATS in non-SEC action. Coach Tommy West has found success in Memphis, but wants to play in the C-USA title game this season. Pulling a massive upset would get people talking about a team that is 17-9 ATS as home dog and 18-12-1 ATS vs. the SEC.

(207) COLORADO ST at (208) COLORADO

Even if you include last year’s 38-17 drubbing by Colorado, the last seven matchups in this in-state rivalry have been decided by 6.5 points per game. Coach Dan Hawkins believes his team could compete for Big 12 North, if injured players return and the offense gels. This is a meaningful year for coach Hawkins, who is 13-24 (14-21 ATS) at Boulder. Colorado State had surprising 7-6 campaign with a bowl victory and looks to build on solid season. Easier said than done without established QB and only 5 starters back on defense. This rivalry returns back to campuses with the Buffs 17-4 in home openers, however, they have dropped their last seven ATS.

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Alabama played in the SEC title game and made a BCS bowl game, are greater things on the horizon for Nick Saban’s (19-8, 12-13-1 ATS) third year in Tuscaloosa? It depends and the answer won’t really be known until later in the season. Where the tricky part is the offense, junior Greg McElroy has waited his turn and is now the big man on campus for the Crimson Tide. McElroy has professed to be ready and sophomore sensation Julio Jones will be one of his favorite targets to pass to. The offensive line has to be reworked with three outstanding starters gone and running back Glen Coffee leaving early. On defense, there are zero question marks with nine starters back and improving depth in support. All-American nose tackle Terrance “Mount” Cody is poised for a colossal campaign and is reportedly leaner and meaner than ever. Rolando McClain is a headache at linebacker and the secondary has aggressive ball-hawks. The Tide have won last five of six as favorites.

Does it seem possible that Virginia Tech was ever bad under coach Frank Beamer? You have to go back to 1992 to find the last losing season in Blacksburg. The Hokies have won 10 or more games eight times in the last decade including five in a row (38-24-1 ATS). With 14 starters back in the fold, this opening game could determine if Virginia Tech is national contender or one of the best in the ACC. Junior Tyrod Taylor in the undisputed leader of the offense. He’s worked diligently to become better passer and expects to see the results. With Darren Evans out with an ACL tear an unproven yet versatile running core will have to step up, running behind an offensive line that came into its own late last season.

Jason Worilds might be just 6’2 240 pound defensive end; however he’s up field before the tackle is even out of his stance pressuring the quarterback, leading another stern Hokies defense.

The Hokies are 12-4 ATS in their first road game of the season.

Odds-makers have made their case about this matchup. Bama opened as a six-point choice despite a new quarterback and just four returning offensive starters. That speaks volumes about what they think about the difference between SEC and ACC. This is a special opening matchup and Virginia Tech is 17-6 ATS in September road encounters. The Tide is 16-1 SU in opening tilts since 1992, but just 5-10 ATS during that time.

It won’t be a simple task, since Graham has to replace a quarterback and five other offensive starters. Junior Jacob Bower has earned the inside track at quarterback, after being an understudy last season. The offensive line has to be rebuilt in order for Bower to succeed. If these elements come together quickly, Tulsa can build on its 8-3 ATS September record.

Defensively, eight players return, however, according to the coach they need to play with more conviction, after conceding 30 points or more six times last season. “Defensively, we have to get back to doing what we’ve done in the past of being successful, and that’s a relentless attitude to run to the ball and get back to a hard edge mentality defensively,” Graham said. “What we have to improve on defense is not giving away too many one play drives.”

Sportsbook.com has Tulsa as 13.5-point road favorites with total of 64 and they are just 4-7 ATS in that role under Graham.

Tulane has won six games in two years under coach Bob Toledo and everyone associated with the program understands this has to be the year to start showing positive signs. “We feel like we’ve really got to turn this thing around,” receiver Jeremy Williams told the Times-Picayune. “We’re not waiting on the future. We’ve got to do it now.”

The Green Wave welcome back seven offensive starters and redshirt sophomore Joe Kemp who won the quarterback derby. Tulane will be helped by the return of RB Andre Anderson, who was fourth in the nation in rushing and all-purpose yards when he went down to injury in game seven. They will need to score points to hang with Tulsa, however, they are just 4-10-1 ATS when getting points at home.

Tulane comes into this season with misleading defensive statistics. The Green Wave was 14^th in the country in pass defense, allowing 173 yards per game. That was at least in part to surrendering 218 (5.7 yards per carry) yards per game on the ground. Senior DE Logan Kelley anchors a very experienced defensive line that must upgrade its game in 2009. Tulane is 7-23-1 ATS in its last 31 conference matchups.

Tulsa plays four of their first five games on the road, including the first three. It should be noted that they have failed to cover their last four road games.

Tulane is 0-4 SU and ATS versus the Golden Hurricane in C-USA action, losing by 33 points per game.

This conference clash starts at 8 Eastern on ESPN, with Tulsa 7-2-1 OVER as road chalk.

Bet this game now at Sportsbook.com and take advantage of Reduced Juice Fridays (-105).

Consider the track record of Boise State coming into the season.

Boise State has had three unbeaten regular seasons in the last five years and is 55-9 in all games since 2004. Faced with oddsmakers’ numbers just begging the sports bettor to play the other side, the Broncos are 33-25-1 against the spread in that time period.

In games played on the “Smurf Turf” blue carpet at Bronco Stadium, Boise State is 64-2 and 40-17 ATS the last decade, which includes 49 in a row during the regular season. Boise State returns a dozen starters, including quarterback Kellen Moore, who broke onto the scene last year as a freshman. In truth, Coach Chris Peterson might have a team equal to or better than the 2006 squad, which was 13-0 and knocked off Oklahoma in Fiesta Bowl.

The Oregon Ducks are not to be taken for granted just because they have a new coach in Chip Kelly. With just ten returning starters from last year’s surprising 10-3 squad, the ranking appears a trifle inflated, however three components help justify the number.

Oregon might not average 41.9 points per game this upcoming season, however, will still have ample firepower with Jeremiah Masoli at the controls. The junior quarterback is far from classic passer, but he’s accurate and is powerful runner and is listed as All-Pac 10 QB in several preseason publications. Speaking of powerful, 240-pound LeGarrette Blount is one blunt object in the open field. The architect of this high-powered offense is coach Kelly, whose been the Oregon offense coordinator. The Ducks are 27-5 ATS in first road game, including covering nine of last 10.

Sportsbook.com has Boise State listed as 3.5-point home favorite, down from opening number of 5.5, with the total having risen to 64.

This is the second game on ESPN Thursday night, which will start at 10:15 Eastern. Oregon has revenge on their minds after last year’s 37-32 home upset as 10.5-point favorites to the Broncos. Masoli told a Eugene television station during the offseason that the loss was “embarrassing” and that this year he and his team would “take it to (Boise State).”

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