Expectations for South Carolina were high entering the season and although the offense didn’t produce at the level so many pundits expected in the summer months, the team has still quietly been one of the better ones in the SEC East. Maybe it was because the Gamecocks did not live up to their potential but they were underdogs quite a bit this season. However, South Carolina went a stellar 6-1 ATS as an underdog this year. Will Muschamp and company will find themselves in that spot again when they take on the Michigan Wolverines in the Outback Bowl.
- Michigan is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games after a loss.
- The total has gone OVER in 14 of Michigan’s 18 bowl games since 1995.
- South Carolina is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 bowl games.
South Carolina actually fired offensive coordinator Kurt Roper and will be handing play-calling duties over to co-OC Bryan McClendon for this game. Sophomore quarterback Jake Bentley has been struggling under center, throwing seven interceptions to just three touchdowns in the past four games. Luckily, the defense has been keeping South Carolina alive, with the Gamecocks holding opponents to just 20.8 points per game.
Though none of the players on the roster or any of the coaches were in Ann Arbor at the time, the memory of the last time Michigan and South Carolina met lives in the consciousness of the Wolverines faithful. Much like South Carolina, Michigan’s offense is rather ho-hum – though Brandon Peters has performed admirably at quarterback – but the defense is a killer. Jim Harbaugh’s defensive unit is allowing just 18.3 ppg and 269 yards per game.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans backing the South Carolina Gamecocks here saw them at Sportsbook as 7.5-point underdogs in this college football clash. (Check back shortly for Sportsbook totals at sportsbooks tracked by OddsShark as none was available at the time this preview was written.)
Earlier, OddsShark computer prediction handicapping models run on this game picked a 27-22 victory for the Wolverines. That score may change during the week, if injury or weather factors alter the numbers, so check the college football picks page before game time. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.
Michigan Wolverines vs South Carolina Gamecocks Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Michigan Wolverines will try to spoil the party on Monday; they are 5-6-1 against the spread this season, while the South Carolina Gamecocks are 7-4-1 ATS. Michigan is 6-6 on the OVER/UNDER betting totals; South Carolina is 4-8. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and South Carolina vs Michigan injuries news.
The Gamecocks sit at No. 70 in the current College Football Power Rankings here at OddsShark, while the Wolverines are at No. 36 on that chart.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the South Carolina Gamecocks' No. 98-ranked offense (24.08 PPG) against a Michigan Wolverines defense that ranks No. 14 at 18.25 PPG. The South Carolina passing attack has averaged 212.92 yards per game, more than Michigan gives up through the air (142.67 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Wolverines own the league's No. 15-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 117.83 yards per game when on the road. South Carolina, on the other hand, rates No. 94 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last game, the Wolverines were Week 13 losers coming out on the wrong end of a 31-20 score against Ohio State.
South Carolina didn't make much of a game of it last time out, losing to the Tigers as Clemson blasted them 34-10 in Week 13 action.
