South Carolina Gamecocks Odds to Win the 2015 College Football National Championship
by George Monroy - 7/22/2014
The South Carolina Gamecocks may not be the glamour program in the SEC, especially with Alabama, Auburn and LSU taking all the attention on a yearly basis. The school, however, has been one of the best programs in the nation over the last few years and is in the middle of its third consecutive 11-2 season. The trouble for South Carolina and coach Steve Spurrier is that the SEC typically has an undefeated or one-loss team by the time bowl season rolls around.
The Gamecocks have quietly become a formidable force in the conference and could very well win the SEC East and force themselves into the national title conversation with a potential matchup against whoever comes out of the SEC West. Let's take a closer look at South Carolina's odds to win the 2015 college football National Championship with predictions and analysis.
South Carolina Odds to Win the 2015 National Championship Story Lines
South Carolina had quite a few key losses over the offseason. However, two names stand out in particular: Jadeveon Clowney, who was taken first overall in the 2014 NFL Draft and is expected to be a game-changing player on defense, and Connor Shaw, the winningest quarterback in the program's history. Both played integral roles on last season's 11-2 record, and the team may struggle to find suitable replacements heading into 2014.
South Carolina did return its running back, and potential Heisman candidate, Mike Davis, who rushed for over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns during his second year with the team. Schedule wise, the Gamecocks have a manageable, but tough, road to the SEC Championship. The team will start off the year facing SEC opponents in five of its first six matchups.
South Carolina opens the year against Texas A&M but will not have to face Alabama this season. The team does, however, have a tough road matchup against Auburn in late October. A win over the Tigers could be South Carolina's ticket into the national title playoff if it can manage to pull off a victory during the SEC Championship Game against whoever comes out of the west. The Gamecocks have played in only one SEC Championship Game, which they lost to Auburn in 2010.
South Carolina 2015 National Championship Odds and Trends
South Carolina is currently receiving +2500 national title odds at Sportsbook.ag. Davis is receiving long shot Heisman odds at +3500, but he would really need to explode out of the gate in order to gain the attention that the top-ranked candidates will receive. The Gamecocks win total has been set at 9.5 , with the under a -125 favorite.
In 2013 South Carolina produced a 7-6 ATS record and 6-7 totals mark and did not distinguish itself as a great betting team in any area. The squad averaged 54 total points per matchup and was ranked 34th in the nation in points scored. On defense, South Carolina gave up only 20 points per game and allowed under 200 passing yards per contest, both of which were ranked 12th in the nation.
South Carolina Odds to Win the 2015 National Championship Predictions
South Carolina has been one of the best teams in the nation over the last few seasons, but losing Clowney and Shaw may be too much to overcome. The squad will almost certainly have a loss or two by the time the SEC Championship Game rolls around, which would not be good enough to be invited to the four-team playoff. South Carolina, however, is probably looking at another two-loss season, and taking the "over" on its win total of 9.5-which is currently the underdog-could be an excellent way to make a profit on the team.
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Read more articles by George Monroy
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