The under has been a profitable play in Alabama games all season, and with the Tide on the road here a week ahead of a tilt with LSU, we could see Bama take a more conservative approach, and possibly try to get its run game going. As for South Carolina, well, it has an offense, just not an effective one.

What has happened to the Gamecocks? It's all gone a bit pear-shaped, with little resemblance to last year's swashbuckling side. Not just all of the pieces departed from defense, but a dramatic decline in the production of dual-threat QB LaNorris Sellers, whose stats have taken a real dip this season, only accounting for 6 TDs after being involved in 25 of those a year ago. The problem also seems to be first-year OC Mike Shula, proving a big dropoff from Dowell Loggains, last year's OC now the HC at App State. Meanwhile, Bama is on the move, unbeaten SU and vs. the spread since the Florida State opener, and QB Ty Simpson now on a short list of top Heisman contenders. Play Alabama

This is an interesting spot for Alabama. The Crimson Tide are coming off four straight games against ranked teams with wins over Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Tennessee. Now Alabama travels to struggling South Carolina before a bye week with LSU on deck. This is by far the Crimson Tide’s worst spot of the season. If Alabama is going to get caught overlooking an opponent, it will likely be on Saturday. For whatever reason, his teams perform better in the bigger underdog role. South Carolina is 3-1 ATS as an underdog of over nine points the last two seasons, including a 27-25 loss at Alabama as 21-point dogs. I'll take a shot on the Gamecocks to cover the big number at home.

It hasn't been my best year picking college football games so do with this pick as you wish. The Gamecocks are playing their third game of a brutal stretch including at #11 LSU (loss), vs. $14 Oklahoma (loss), #4 Alabama, at #8 Ole Miss, and at #3 Texas A&M. For a team with high hopes this year, South Carolina has been a major disappointment. But this is a letdown spot for the Crimson Tide after the home dismantling of Tennessee and probably SC's best chance to avoid a 5+ game losing streak. I think 'Bama wins, but it will be interesting at least. Alabama 27, South Carolina 21.