Alabama at South Carolina

Alabama keeps rolling and the public keeps piling on (83% backing them this week). We faded the Tide two weeks ago vs. Arkansas and will do so again here. They stayed clean with an apparent easy win over the Gators last week 31-6, so the coast is clear with two big hurdles passed in Arkansas and Florida right? Not so fast. This is a good spot for the Gamecocks, with nothing to lose. They catch the Tide after a huge emotional home game that looked good on the scoreboard, but not otherwise. Alabama was outgained by the Gators despite a 25-point win, and vs. Arkansas they were matched yard for yard before barely escaping with the win. The public sees a team that just can't lose, but there are some chinks in that armour. Those two wins have left the Tide feeling good, but looking vulnerable. Can Spurrier's boys get the job done at home? It will be a tall task but the Gamecocks are 13-3 straight-up in their last 16 at home and since September of '06 and have lost by more than 7 here just once, and that was a 10-point loss. So, they have stood toe-to-toe with the best the SEC has to offer, failing against the number here just one time in five years. South Carolina has had two weeks to prepare for the Crimson Tide, and have only failed to cover one of their last six after a bye week. Alabama is coming off of two physically and emotionally draining games, and could be in for the fight of their lives to retain the No. 1 perch. South Carolina keeps it interesting.