A couple of schools that prefer to focus on their running games, Coach Will Muschamp and the South Carolina Gamecocks (-29) are ready to host the Akron Zips at Williams-Brice Stadium. SEC Network owns the TV rights and the game’s scheduled to kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Akron Zips
Akron is a big road underdog here and is currently getting 29 points from bookmakers. If the Gamecocks fall behind in the early stages it’ll result in a worthwhile betting opportunity in-game. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 56 points.
This game’s line opened at -28. The over/under has not changed after being set initially at 56.
The underwhelming Zips are down 6.4 units so far in 2018 and 4-7 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U mark of 4-7.
The Gamecocks have gained 0.1 units this season. The team is 7-4 ATS and the over has hit in seven of its games.
The Zips have gone 4-7 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Gamecocks are 6-5 SU.
The Zips are most-recently on the rebound after a 49-28 loss to Ohio last week. Kato Nelson completed 24 passes for 356 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Van Edwards, Jr. (19 yards on 11 rush attempts) led the running attack. Andre Williams (seven receptions, 81 yards, one TD) and Jonah Morris (five catches, 61 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
A week ago, Clemson knocked off this South Carolina crew by a score of 56-35. Jake Bentley completed 32-of-50 passes for 510 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Mon Denson (62 rushing yards on 17 attempts) handled the running game while Deebo Samuel (10 receptions, 210 yards, three TDs) and Shi Smith (nine catches, 109 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack in the loss.
Breaking down the offensive play-calling, each of these teams has a similar (51-49) run-pass ratio on the season. The Zips have run for 96.5 yards/game and have five scores on the ground this year. The Gamecocks are averaging 160.7 rush yards per game and have 15 total rushing TDs.
If the results so far this season can translate to this game, then the Gamecocks may have the more disruptive lines up front, since their offensive line has allowed just 18 sacks while the D-line has registered 19 sacks. The Zips offensive line has allowed 29 sacks and their defense has got to opposing QBs just 20 times.
The Zips offensive scheme has logged 201.1 yards per game through the air overall and has 16 passing TDs so far. The Gamecocks have put up 284.5 pass yards per outing and have 29 total pass scores.
Defensively, Akron should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 198.1 rush yards and 190.4 pass yards per game. The South Carolina defense has given up 235.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 204.7 yards per game to opposing runners. The Zips are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.01 to opponents, while the Gamecocks have given up a 6.41 ANY/A.
Offensively, Nelson is up to 2,003 passing yards this year, and has completed 53 percent of his 275 attempts with 15 passing scores and eight interceptions. Nelson has a 6.05 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.65 over the last two outings.
In the home locker room, Jake Bentley has managed to complete 184-of-293 passes for 2,415 yards, 20 TDs and 10 INTs. Bentley’s ANY/A stands at 7.49 for the year and 11.30 over his last two games.
Akron Zips vs. South Carolina Gamecocks NCAA Pick
SU Winner: South Carolina, ATS Winner: Akron, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- Akron, as a team, has averaged 2.1 yards per rush attempt over its last three games and 2.3 over its last two.
- South Carolina has averaged 4.6 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.9 over its last two.
- The South Carolina offense has lost five fumbles this season while Akron has lost nine.
- The Zips offense has registered seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Gamecocks have put up 12 such plays.
- The Akron defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 or more yards, while South Carolina has given up six such plays.
- The Akron offense has created nine rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while South Carolina has created 17 such runs.
- The Zips defense has allowed 15 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Gamecocks have given up 19 such runs.
- The Akron defense has 20 sacks on the year while South Carolina has 19.
