Sportsbook bettors are wondering if this is finally the year that South Carolina under head coach Steve Spurrier is a major force in the SEC.
The Gamecocks have been touted as contenders before in the SEC but they have never really lived up to advance billing. The odds at the online sportsbook list South Carolina as 75-1 long shots to win the national title this season but Spurrier has said this is the best group of athletes he has ever had at South Carolina.
Sportsbook odds favor Alabama in the SEC and for good reason since they are the defending national champions. South Carolina is really not given that much of a chance to win the SEC considering they have not been a power under Spurrier. The Gamecocks were just 7-6 last season and that has been the norm for South Carolina under Spurrier. The Gamecocks are just a slight above average team. Spurrier is not used to dealing with mediocrity but that has been the case with South Carolina.
South Carolina will have their chance to make their mark in the SEC this season. This could finally be the year for the Gamecocks as the schedule sets up well for them. They should beat Southern Mississippi in their home opener on September 2nd in a game that can be seen on ESPN. They then host Georgia in another game they are capable of winning. They then will be expected to rout Furman before their first road test of the season at Auburn. If they could find a win to win that game they could be unbeaten for a huge home game against Alabama in early October. The problem for South Carolina vs. the online sportsbook odds is that they still would have to win at Florida later in the season and that is extremely difficult to do. A road game to end the season at Clemson is not going to be easy either.
Looking at South Carolina’s schedule, the potential for a big year is there but there are a lot of land mines out there. The SEC is the toughest conference in college football and South Carolina has not shown the ability to win consistently against the best teams. A winning record is likely for Spurrier this season but a division title may be just out of reach.