Ole Miss vs. South Carolina College Football Picks: The nations No. 4 ranked Ole Miss Rebels (2-0) invade Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC to do battle with unranked University of South Carolina Gamecocks in a Thursday night SEC prime-time college football game televised by ESPN. This contest has the attention of national college football pundits who really want to see what Ole Miss has in its stable. So far in 2009, the Rebels have two wins – a week 1 victory over C-USA member Memphis (45-14) and a 56-6 win over (FCS) Southeast Louisiana in week 3. Carolina is game tested having picked up a hard fought road victory over North Carolina State in week 1 and lost a heartbreaker at No. 23 Georgia in week 2. Thursday's game is expected to be closely contested and is drawing heavy betting action from the sharps in Las Vegas.
Ole Miss,with eight straight wins, is riding its longest win streak in 37 years and boasts the second-longest current streak in the nation. The Rebels are shooting for a 3-0 start for the first time since 1989.
The Gamecocks held a party in Oxford last year after stealing a 31-24 win – catching the Rebels still celebrating their upset victory over Florida the previous week. Revenge will absolutely be a motive for Ole Miss in tonight's nationally televised game.
The Rebels leader on offense is quarterback Jevan Snead. So far in 2009, the Texas transfer has thrown for 384 yards in two games resulting in five touchdowns and two interceptions. Snead's top go-to receivers are wide receivers Shay Hodge (8 rec, 136 yds, 1 TD) and Dexter McCluster (9 rec, 113 yards, 1 TD) and Pat Patterson (4 rec, 79 yards, 1 TD). Brandon Bolden gets the bulk of the footwork at running back with 22 carries for 176 yards for an 88 yard per game average.
After a slow offensive start to the season, South Carolina has averaged 39.5 points in its last two games. Sophomore quarterback Stephen Garcia ranks second in the SEC in total offense at 253.0 yards per game. The Carolina defense ranks fourth in the SEC in total defense (249.3 ypg) and second in rush defense (87.3 ypg). The unit is also tied for the league lead in sacks with 10, led by senior All-SEC LB Eric Norwood with four.
The public is betting heavy on the side of Ole Miss with 81 percent of gamblers giving the points compared to 19 percent going with home dog South Carolina. The Rebels are also catching 61 percent of public moneyline action. The OVER (53 1/2) is the favorite totals bet with 63 percent of early wagers placed.
College Football Picks: Its a hunch but we (Sports-Odds.com) recommend the home dog in this one – take the points (-4) and South Carolina.
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