The Missouri Tigers are 7-2-1 against the spread in their last 10 games as a road underdog and 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games in the SEC. Missouri can improve on both of those marks as a road underdog this Saturday visiting the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Missouri at South Carolina betting odds breakdown
Missouri is a road underdog at South Carolina but has been biting hard as a dog lately. (7 p.m. ET Saturday, ESPN)
Peter Aiken
Missouri suffered a surprising loss last Saturday against Indiana. But going off as a 5.5-point road underdog this week at sportsbooks tracked by OddsShark.com, the Tigers should show some fight as a live dog.
Missouri’s 3-0 straight up and 2-1 ATS start was impressive on multiple levels. In addition to averaging 41.7 points per game, the Tigers were strong on defense allowing only 17.3 points per game with solid efforts on the road against Toledo and at home against UCF. But last Saturday’s 31-27 loss as a 14.5-point home favorite over Indiana put a damper on the Tigers’ hot start. Perhaps Missouri was caught looking ahead to this week’s key SEC matchup.
South Carolina had one of the nation’s best defenses in 2013 allowing just 20.3 points per game, but things are far different here in 2014. The Gamecocks have given up 36 points per game through the first four games of the season and at least 34 points in each of its first three games against SEC opponents. South Carolina is 3-1 SU and 1-3 ATS this season with an 0-3 ATS record as a favorite.
The Gamecocks are 20-1 SU in their last 21 home games, according to the OddsShark College Football Database, but just 4-5 ATS over their last nine.
Missouri vs. South Carolina is a big game for both teams in the SEC East standings. The Indiana game is certainly a blemish on Missouri’s record, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Tigers can put up a lot of points on offense.
And going up against a South Carolina defense that hasn’t slowed down anyone this season, Missouri could have a big day. The Gamecocks have also been great on offense this season, pointing to a likely shootout, but Missouri should be able to keep it close as a 5.5-point underdog.
