The Missouri Tigers (7-2) will head to Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday afternoon to play South Carolina Gamecocks (6-3).
The Tigers have won five straight meetings in this series, which had a SEC East matchup in the conference’s divisional format. They come into this year’s matchup with a better record. However, the Gamecocks have been surging with victories over Texas A&M and Vanderbilt the last two weeks.
As a result, South Carolina is a double-digit favorite at home, which likely has to do with the expected absence of Missouri quarterback Brady Cook. Without Cook, scoring will be an issue for Missouri against a stingy South Carolina, which is why it may be a good idea to fade the Tigers’ team total.
South Carolina is a 13.5-point favorite on the spread with a 43.5-point over/under.
So, let's get to my Missouri vs. South Carolina predictions and college football picks.
Missouri vs South Carolina Prediction
- Missouri vs South Carolina Pick: Missouri Team Total Under 14.5
My Missouri vs South Carolina best bet is on both teams to stay under the total, with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Missouri vs South Carolina Odds
Missouri Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13.5 -102 | 43.5 -108o / -112u | +470 |
S. Carolina Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13.5 -120 | 43.5 -108o / -112u | -650 |
- Missouri vs South Carolina Point Spread: Missouri +13.5 (-102) · South Carolina -13.5 (-120)
- Missouri vs South Carolina Total: Over/Under 43.5
- Missouri vs South Carolina Moneyline: Missouri +470 South Carolina -650
Missouri vs South Carolina Preview
Missouri Tigers Betting Preview: Passing Game Struggles
Expectations were high for Missouri entering this season after they won 11 games last season and returned a lot of production. Among the returnees was quarterback Brady Cook, but he has not been able to recapture last year’s magic. His completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown rate and QBR are all down from last season.
Injuries have not helped matters as Cook missed parts of two games and did not play at all last week against Oklahoma. He is listed as doubtful again this week and Drew Pyne would get the start if he can’t go. That will not inspire much confidence for the Tigers as Pyne is completing 50% of his passes, has three touchdowns, three interceptions, and has failed to crack 300 yards combined in the last three games.
Missouri ranks 105th in Passing Success Rate this season. Its inconsistent passing attack has limited the impact of the nation's most talented wide receivers in Luther Burden III. After recording over 1,200 receiving yards last year, Burden is on pace for 673 receiving yards this season.
South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Preview: Stout Defense and Ball Control
South Carolina runs the ball on 64% of their offensive snaps. It averages 28 seconds per offensive snap and controls the ball for 31 minutes per game in time of possession. Its ball control offense complements a very stout defense.
South Carolina ranks in the top 12 in the FBS in scoring defense, rushing yards allowed per game, and total defense. It is even better defending the pass, ranking ninth in Passing Success Rate Allowed and second in Coverage grade per PFF. If South Carolina can slow down Missouri's run game, it will keep Pyne and Missouri's offense in third-and-long situations. That also will play into the hands of a ferocious Gamecocks' pass rush.
South Carolina is sixth in Havoc and third in the FBS with 33 sacks. EDGE rusher Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart lead the way with 14.5 combined. It should find success getting home against a Missouri offensive line that has already allowed 20 sacks this season. Missouri will also be without center Connor Tollison this week.
Missouri vs South Carolina
Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Missouri and South Carolina match up statistically:
Missouri Offense vs. South Carolina Defense
Offense | Defense | Edge | |
Rush Success | 39 | 71 | |
Line Yards | 53 | 42 | |
Pass Success | 105 | 9 | |
Havoc | 27 | 6 | |
Finishing Drives | 83 | 16 | |
Quality Drives | 56 | 16 |
South Carolina Offense vs. Missouri Defense
Offense | Defense | Edge | |
Rush Success | 79 | 32 | |
Line Yards | 78 | 16 | |
Pass Success | 103 | 39 | |
Havoc | 127 | 28 | |
Finishing Drives | 84 | 29 | |
Quality Drives | 81 | 18 |
Pace of Play / Other
PFF Tackling | 28 | 39 |
PFF Coverage | 41 | 2 |
Special Teams SP+ | 76 | 57 |
Middle 8 | 89 | 82 |
Seconds per Play | 27.1 (63) | 27.5 (74) |
Rush Rate | 53% (64) | 64% (16) |
Missouri vs South Carolina Pick & Prediction
Missouri has scored 10 points combined in its last two SEC road games. With Pyne in much for the game against Auburn, it scored six points through three quarters before Cook returned in the fourth quarter. Last week, it got 30 points with the help of Oklahoma turnovers but still failed to crack 300 yards of total offense.
Additionally, the under has hit in four of the last five meetings in this series. However, with the total dropping below a key number of 45, I prefer to fade Pyne and the struggling Missouri offense. The Tigers also may not have as many possessions if South Carolina dominates the clock with its running game.
Pick: Missouri Team Total Under 14.5 (-138, FanDuel)
Missouri vs South Carolina Start Time, Channel, Streaming, How To Watch
Location: | Williams-Brice Stadium |
Date: | Saturday, Nov. 16 |
Kickoff Time: | 4:15 p.m. ET |
TV / Streaming: | SEC Network |
Missouri vs South Carolina will be played at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 4:15 p.m. ET. You can stream the game live on SEC Network.