South Carolina vs. Oklahoma: College Football Week 8 Predictions

South Carolina Gamecocks (3-3 SU, 4-2 ATS) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS)

NCAA Football Week 8

Date/Time: Saturday, October 19th, 2024, 12:45PM (EST)

Where: Memorial Stadium Norman, OK

TV: SEC Network

Betting Odds

Point Spread: SC +3/OU -3

Moneyline: USC +120/Okl -140

Total: 41.5

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The South Carolina Gamecocks nearly pulled off a big upset on the road at Tuscaloosa last week against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Gamecocks rallied from a 14-point deficit and had many opportunities to seal the upset in the closing minutes. Instead, the Crimson Tide avoided their 2nd straight upset defeat by pulling out a mere 27-25 victory. This week, South Carolina will take another road trip to Norman when they meet the Oklahoma Sooners at Memorial Stadium. Despite a 3-3 SU record, the Gamecocks are currently listed as just 3-point underdogs in their first SEC match-up against Oklahoma.

The Sooners were punched in the mouth during last week’s Red River Rivalry by a final outcome of 34-3. I thought Oklahoma had a very poor match-up against Texas and advised bettors to lay the two-touchdown betting line with the Longhorns. Fortunately, from the betting side, Oklahoma’s offense continued to struggle and had no answers for Texas, who is playing as well as any team in college football. While last week’s loss is in the past, Head Coach Brent Venables must prepare for a tricky situational and tactical match-up this week against South Carolina. The Gamecocks defense has been really impressive this season and that will pose challenges for the Sooners offense that is struggling to find scoring opportunities!

South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Oklahoma Sooners Analysis

The best way to describe South Carolina is that they are just a gritty team. The offense does not have a ton of playmakers. Freshman QB LaNorris Sellers has struggled with throwing the football and even securing it. However, Sellers and RB Raheim (Rocket) Sanders have produced some big plays in the running game and the Gamecocks are averaging a respectable 175 yards per game on the ground. With that being said, the Gamecocks offense has not been good at stretching the field or coming up with big plays in the passing game, which in many ways is very similar to how Oklahoma’s offense has performed throughout the season.

The Sooners have already started two quarterbacks this season between former starter Jackson Arnold and recent starter Michael Hawkins Jr. However, neither quarterback has provided a significant improvement in the passing game. Arnold appears to have the slightly better arm, while Hawkins seems to be the most athletically gifted option. Still, Oklahoma has been unable to move the football through the air, and leading rusher Jovantae Barnes has averaged just 3.3 yards per carry despite a heavy workload on the ground. Needless to say, Oklahoma’s offense has not been efficient or successful in any way this season.

The difference to this game may be the field position battle and the defense that can create the most scoring opportunities for the offense. The good news for both Oklahoma and South Carolina is that the play on the defensive side of the football has been much better than the offensive side. With that being said, the Gamecocks defense may be one of the most underrated groups in the SEC. Edge rushers Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart have combined for 11 sacks and have been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Kennard actually leads the SEC with 7.5 sacks as the leader of a South Carolina pass-rush that has played exceptionally well. I think the Gamecocks defense will be a big challenge for Oklahoma this week, and they may have the best opportunity to force the turnovers needed to create scoring opportunities!

South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Oklahoma Sooners Betting Trends

• South Carolina is 4-1 ATS in the last five games.
• South Carolina has hit the “under” in 8 of the last 12 games.
• South Carolina is 1-5 SU in the last six games on the road.
• South Carolina is 6-1 ATS in the last seven games against SEC opponents.
• Oklahoma is 10-1 SU in the last 11 games at home.
• Oklahoma is 14-5 SU in the last 19 games.
• Oklahoma has hit the “under” in four of the last six games.
• Oklahoma is 2-5 SU in the last seven games against SEC opponents.

South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Oklahoma Sooners Betting Prediction

I believe the South Carolina defense is the biggest difference maker in this match-up. Neither Oklahoma QB has played well this season, but if Hawkins gets the start again this week, it will truly be a nightmare match-up for the true freshman. Give me the visiting Gamecocks to go into Norman and get the victory!

Jay’s Pick: Take South Carolina +3!

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