Schedule, talent on Gamecocks’ side

South Carolina has dominated Clemson the past three seasons, winning 34-13, 29-7 and 34-17. In the process, Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier has taunted Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.

It will be much of the same today in Clemson, S.C., where the Tigers are 4-point favorites.

The Atlantic Coast Conference is a complete joke this season. Clemson and Florida State are the only teams of substance, and neither has played a nonconference game of any significance.

Clemson (10-1) has played only two teams with more than six wins - Florida State and Ball State. The 12th-ranked Tigers beat the visiting Cardinals 52-27, but lost to the host Seminoles, 49-37.

South Carolina's only losses came on the road against Louisiana State and Florida, teams that have combined for a 20-3 record. The 13th-ranked Gamecocks (9-2) have won seven games by at least 17 points, including a 35-7 clubbing of 10-1 Georgia.

During Spurrier's eight-year tenure, South Carolina is 13-9-1 against the spread as a road underdog. Playing a stout Southeastern Conference schedule, the Gamecocks have won 20 of their past 24 games, including seven of eight without star running back Marcus Lattimore, who is out for the season with a knee injury.

Clemson's potent offense hasn't faced a defense with a pass rush that features future NFL players such as Jadeveon Clowney, Kelcy Quarles and Devin Taylor, but the Tigers will today.

Finally, the Gamecocks have a huge advantage with Spurrier matching wits against Swinney. Give me South Carolina and the points in a game it will win outright.

Three more plays for today (home team in CAPS):

■ Florida (+7½) over FLORIDA STATE - The Gators have been abysmal on offense for most of the season, but their defense ranks third in the nation in scoring, giving up 11.7 points per game. They also get great special teams play with one of the country's premier punters (Kyle Christy) and place-kickers (Caleb Sturgis).

Perhaps most important, the word out of Gainesville is that Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel has looked 100 percent healthy at practice. The Gators' offense has been even worse without Driskel, who has missed the past six quarters with a sprained ankle.

Florida State has played only one quality team, and that was in September when it rallied to beat Clemson. The Seminoles lost to a 6-5 North Carolina State squad that was missing three starters on its offensive line.

Florida is 3-0 straight up and against the spread on the road, including victories at No. 9 Texas A&M and 7-4 Vanderbilt.

I like the Gators to cover, but consider the game a tossup in picking an outright winner.

■ Rutgers (+2) over PITTSBURGH - Rutgers has outright wins as a road underdogs three times this season, including last week's 10-3 victory at Cincinnati. The Scarlet Knights are fourth in the country in scoring defense, allowing 12.7 points per game.

Since 2003, Rutgers has a 22-11-1 spread record as a road underdog. Take the points.

■ MIDDLE TENNESSEE (-3) over Troy - Middle Tennessee has won three in a row and seven of nine straight up and against the spread. The Blue Raiders have lost six straight against Troy, so they are starving for redemption.

Middle Tennessee has the better team this season to exact revenge on the Trojans.

Last week: 3-1 against the spread

Season: 38-14

Brian Edwards of VegasInsider.com and BrianEdwardsSports.com is providing college football analysis for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.