SEC Game of the Week – #9 South Carolina Gamecocks vs. #3 Florida Gators

South Carolina will finish a brutal 3 game stretch with a trip to Gainesville this Saturday to face the Gators.  They beat the Georgia Bulldogs 2 weeks ago but lost a tough one last week to the LSU Tigers.  Florida would be sitting pretty in the SEC East with a win here.  America’s Bookie has Florida as a 3 ½ point favorite at home and the total has been set at 41 ½.

As if the Gamecocks didn’t have a tough enough task ahead of them in the Swamp the Gators will more than likely have 5 starters back in the lineup for Saturday’s game.  Florida can match last season’s total with a win over South Carolina.  Wins this week and next week against the Georgia Bulldogs will guarantee them a return to the SEC championship for the first time since they lost to Alabama 3 years ago.

Florida got the job done on the ground last week against Vanderbilt, amassing a total of 326 yards.  QB Jeff Driskell rushed for 177 yards and 3 touchdowns.  This was the most rushing yards in the school’s history for a QB.  Especially impressive rushing considering the Gators were playing without center Jon Harrison, left tackle Xavier Nixon and guard James Wilson.  They are expected back in the lineup for this game.

A big focus for the Gators will be containing Marcus Lattimore.  He had a season low 35 yards last week against LSU and will be looking to shake off that performance.  It is tough imagining Lattimore having 2 bad weeks in a row.  He does have a bruised hip so it remains to be seen how effective he will be.  This could just be the Ol’ Ball Coach just keeping it close to the vest.  South Carolina will have to have their game of the season to win in the Swamp and move back into title contention.  I’ve got to lean towards Florida here but I see scoring in this game.  I’m taking over 41 ½ as my play here.

Check the latest NCAA Football News

Follow Ask The Bookie on Twitter and Facebook