This Thursday night millions of Americans will head to their favorite online sportsbook and place a wager on the South Carolina-Auburn game. USC is a struggling football program, coached by former Washington Redskin, Florida Gator and Duke Steve Spurrier and are sizeable puppies here as the line presently sits at +13.5 and the over/under 37!
Times certainly have changed, as it was not too long ago when Mr. Spurrier use to hang up 37 points just in the first half when he was with the Gators and use to take great delight in rubbing his opponents face in the sand. Well you know the old saying ?what goes around, comes around? and it couldn't happen to a nicer fellow.
Auburn (4-0, 2-0) outscored Washington State and Mississippi State by a combined 74-14 in its first two games before a thrilling 7-3 victory over then-No. 6 LSU on Sept. 16. That win catapulted Auburn to second in the rankings, it's highest since tying for No. 2 with Oklahoma on Nov. 13, 2004 - the year it finished undefeated. This past weekend they went through the motions in an uninspiring win over Buffalo.
As the Gamecocks as usual there are issues at quarterback where Spurrier has been forced to insert former receiver/quarterback Syvelle Newton after he was forced to suspend starter Blake Mitchell.
South Carolina was a passing team Saturday, as Syvelle Newton tied a school record by throwing five touchdown passes in a 45-7 home win over Florida Atlantic. Sidney Rice set a school mark by catching all five TDs.
Newton is back under center again for the Gamecocks after playing receiver his first year and quarterback in his second season under Coach Lou Holtz. In 2005, Spurrier decided to use Newton at quarterback, running back and receiver, but he hurt his Achilles? tendon and missed about half the year.
Newton is 26-of-39 for 466 yards with six touchdowns and one interception this season.
The Tigers beat South Carolina 48-7 last season, and lead the series 5-1-1. This will be Auburn's first visit to Columbia since a 23-6 victory on Oct. 4, 1997. Most people who like to wager will find it very difficult at heir favorite shop, playing SC, who have been a dismal 4-9-1 ATS at home the past 14 games.
It also will be difficult to play the under 37 in a Spurrier coached game, but this could be a vicious battle in the trenches!
