Alabama vs. South Carolina prediction, odds and best bet for CFB Week 7: Can Tide bounce back?

Has the shock worn off yet, Bama fans?

It hasn’t been an easy week for anyone associated with the Crimson Tide following last weekend’s first-of-its-kind loss to Vanderbilt. The Alabama defense did not show up in Nashville, and it needs to improve in a hurry if the team is going to qualify for the SEC championship game.

The Tide can turn the page on the Vandy game this weekend when they host South Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama is a big favorite on Saturday. Keep reading for the odds plus our Alabama vs. South Carolina prediction and best bet.

Alabama vs. South Carolina Prediction

As crushing as last week’s result was, there is too much pride within the Alabama locker room to let that feeling carry over to the next game. One loss does not mean the end of the season, especially now that the College Football Playoff has been extended to 12 teams.

Alabama (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS) still has everything to play for, and it’s a safe bet that the players will give their best effort early on Saturday to set the tone against South Carolina (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS). They want to prove to the home fans and themselves that they’re still an elite team with a chance to win conference and national championships.

All those factors make the Alabama first half -11.5 a strong wager.

Both teams have shown the ability to light up the scoreboard, and this should be a good setting for both teams to do that. Alabama is likely to improve, but is one week long enough for the Crimson Tide to make major improvements? Probably not.

South Carolina (2-3 to the Over) didn’t score a touchdown in last week’s loss to Ole Miss so the coaching staff will have the offensive players’ attention throughout this week in practice. Expect that to lead to an improved performance on that side of the ball against Alabama, which is 4-1 to the Over.

If you believe South Carolina will bounce back and Alabama’s defense isn’t going to be great one week after the Vanderbilt debacle, the third pick above is a must-bet for your portfolio this weekend.

Alabama has given up at least 20 points in nine consecutive SEC games. The streak includes the previous two weeks against Georgia and Vanderbilt in which the Tide gave up a combined 74 points.

CFB Week 7 Alabama vs. South Carolina odds

Point spreads available before last weekend’s games had Alabama favored by more than 21 points. Following Alabama’s loss to Vanderbilt, some online sportsbooks lowered the spread to under 21 points, but those numbers didn’t last long.

Now, Alabama is a 21- or 21.5-point favorite across the board. The over/under is listed anywhere from 50.5 to 51.5.

Alabama vs. South Carolina moneyline odds analysis for Week 7

Why Alabama could win as the favorite

Best odds: -1700 odds at Caesars Sportsbook

As much as it hurt Alabama to lose to Vanderbilt, at least the game wasn’t played in Tuscaloosa. Returning to the friendly atmosphere of Bryant-Denny Stadium will be a major advantage for Alabama against South Carolina.

The Tide led the SEC with a 65-3 record in home games over the last 10 seasons and are 3-0 this year. One of those wins was a thrilling victory over Georgia two weeks ago.

The Alabama football world is not ending under first-year coach Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide are going to be fine. They have a supremely talented roster with an elite QB in Jalen Milroe who can guide the offense to a level South Carolina cannot match even if the defense continues to struggle.

Why South Carolina could win as the underdog

Best odds: +1100 at FanDuel Sportsbook

Like Alabama, South Carolina is coming off a disappointing performance. The Gamecocks can expect

There is so much parity in the SEC, that few outcomes are a surprise.

For instance, South Carolina blew out Kentucky at Kentucky. Kentucky beat Ole Miss at Ole Miss, and then Ole Miss beat South Carolina at South Carolina. It’s almost like playing at home is a disadvantage.

Could that bode well for the Gamecocks in Tuscaloosa? Don’t count out any team in this unpredictable era of college football.

If Alabama’s defense doesn’t right the ship, South Carolina has a good enough offense to keep up on the scoreboard. The Gamecocks have scored at least 30 points in two SEC games.

Like Alabama, South Carolina is coming off a disappointing performance. The Gamecocks can expect to perform better than they did last week against Ole Miss.

If they make it a game in the fourth quarter against Alabama, will the Crimson Tide players tighten up thinking about the potential of another crushing loss?