How and what to watch for South Carolina vs. Florida

After a bit of a shootout victory over the Ole Miss Rebels, the No. 3 Florida Gators will kick off their home opener with the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Florida’s offense exploded for 51 points in its season-opening win over Ole Miss on Saturday. Kyle Trask threw for 416 yards and six touchdowns and completed 30 of 42 passes in the victory. Florida tight end Kyle Pitts put together an incredible performance. He caught eight passes for 170 yards and scored four touchdowns. The Gators gained 642 yards of offense but allowed 35 points and 613 yards to Ole Miss.

South Carolina opened up its season with a 31-27 home loss to the Tennessee Volunteers. Collin Hill threw for 290 yards and a touchdown on 25/39 passing with an interception. He looked Shi Smith’s way early and often. Smith caught 10 balls for 140 yards and a touchdown. This connection will need to be as effective if the Gamecocks want to keep this one close.

Florida won each of the last two games in this series including 38-27 in Columbia, South Carolina last season.

Game Time/TV Channel/Streaming

Saturday’s game will start at noon ET at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. This game will appear on ESPN.

Point Spread, Totals, Odds, Trends

Point spread: South Carolina (+18.5) vs. Florida
Point Total: O/U 56 (-110)
Money line: South Carolina (+850), Florida (-1667)

• South Carolina is 1-5-1 against the spread in its last seven games.
• The total went under in four of South Carolina’s last five games.
• Florida is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games.
• The total went over in four of Florida’s last five games.

The Best Bet

For years, we wondered just how good Florida could be heading into the season with one of the top quarterback sin the SEC, and early returns were successful for Trask and the Florida offense. It’s certainly possible we are seeing Florida emerge as the favorite to win the SEC East with the way the Bulldogs played on Saturday. The Florida offense appears to be a good one this year, and it should find plenty of success against the South Carolina defense.

Pick: Florida -18.5

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