The Gamecocks got their signature win of 2021 last week with a road upset of Florida despite some stumbles down the stretch. But, much to the dismay of coach Frank Martin, they were unable to build on it and were routed at home by Mississippi State. This is likely their biggest game of the seven remaining on the schedule, and it would be surprising if we don't see a much-improved effort. Alabama saw its undefeated SEC run end with a loss at Missouri, but there is still a lack of urgency because the Crimson Tide lead the SEC by three games.

This spread is on the precipice of where I don't think it's great value, but now that Herb Jones (11.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg) will play for the No. 11 Tide, and he was in question, they should be able to win by at least seven. Bama has lost two of three but both were close at ranked Oklahoma and Missouri. The SEC regular-season title is no longer a sure thing, so Nate Oats' bunch should wake up here. Alabama has won five straight in this series by an average of eight points, so that would be just fine by me. The Gamecocks are 1-5 ATS in their last six games as home underdogs.

I love the Crimson Tide to bounce back strong from their narrow loss at Missouri, in which they put together a late 21-2 run. Alabama has won five straight meetings with South Carolina by an average of eight points, and this version of the Tide is better than those previous teams. Lay it.