The South Carolina Gamecocks and Oklahoma Sooners are gearing up for their first-ever clash in Week 8, kicking off a new SEC rivalry. Which team will claim the inaugural victory in this showdown?
Our South Carolina vs. Oklahoma preview breaks down the matchup, highlights key betting insights, and offers tips on where to place your wagers.
South Carolina vs. Oklahoma Betting Preview
All South Carolina vs. Oklahoma odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. The CFN Spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
Oklahoma -5.5 - Spread
South Carolina -1 - Moneyline
Oklahoma -102, South Carolina -118 - Over/Under
41.5 points - Game Time
12:45 p.m. ET, Saturday, Oct. 19 - Location
Memorial Stadium, Norman, Okla. - Predicted Weather at Kick
70 degrees, 11 mph winds, mostly sunny - How To Watch
SEC Network
After opening at Oklahoma -4, the spread has shifted significantly, dropping by as much as five points at times, diverging even further from the FPM’s outlook on the matchup. As of this writing, the line has flip-flopped, with South Carolina moving from a one-point favorite back to Oklahoma favored by one point before finally settling down on Saturday morning with the Gamecocks favored by a point.
South Carolina has been strong against the spread recently, going 4-1 in its last five games, while Oklahoma holds an impressive 8-2 record in their last 10 games as a home favorite.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
The straight-up records paint a more decisive picture: the Gamecocks are 1-5 in their last six road games, while the Sooners boast a 10-1 record in their last 11 home games.
As far as the total, there are two trends to know:
- The under has hit in eight of South Carolina’s last 12.
- The under has hit in four of Oklahoma’s last six.
South Carolina’s Winning Probability
Did the Gamecocks take Alabama down to the wire? Yes. Does that mean they are in the same league as the Crimson Tide? No. All that game proved is that it’s truly “any given Saturday” in college football, and that point should be proven in Week 8.
According to the FPM, South Carolina has a 35.4% win probability against Oklahoma, and it doesn’t get any better after that. Outside of a home bout against FCS-level Wofford, the Gamecocks are projected to lose their last four FBS contests this season.
- vs. Texas A&M: 25.8%
- at Vanderbilt: 35.4%
- vs. Missouri: 35.4%
- vs. Wofford: 96.9%
- at Clemson: 17.0%
Oklahoma’s Winning Probability
The Sooners’ outlook isn’t all that different. Their 64.6% win probability against South Carolina is followed by sub-32% rates in their final four FBS contests.
- at Ole Miss: 24.5%
- vs. Maine: 99.5%
- at Missouri: 31.2%
- vs. Alabama: 20.7%
- vs. LSU: 16.7%
Prediction for South Carolina vs. Oklahoma
On paper, this matchup features a clash between a moveable object (Oklahoma’s offense, ranked 125th in yards per game) and an unstoppable force (South Carolina’s defense, 20th in yards allowed per game).
The Sooners also rank 130th in third-down conversion rate (26.5%), struggle with downfield passing, and have a wide receiver corps that’s looking like a M.A.S.H unit.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season With CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
But as always, football games aren’t decided on paper.
South Carolina is coming off a heart-wrenching near-upset of Alabama, while Oklahoma is eager to bounce back after a tough loss to rival Texas. Homefield advantage could play a role, especially with the Gamecocks hitting the road for a second straight week.
Shane Beamer’s squad faces its own hurdles:
- Haven’t won the turnover battle since Sept. 7 against Kentucky (currently 0; Oklahoma +7)
- Allow 4.3 sacks per game (26 total)
- Average 70 penalty yards per game (compared to Oklahoma’s 55)
- Rank 100th in Stuff Rate and 83rd in EPA/rush allowed
Given the current form, trends, analytics, and expected game flow, I’m backing the Sooners to win outright and cover the spread. While the under trends could continue with the total set at 41 points, I’d prefer to explore other betting options.
Prediction: Oklahoma 24, South Carolina 20
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.