South Carolina Gamecocks @ Florida State Seminoles Chick-fil-A Bowl Pick

South Carolina Gamecocks @ Florida State Seminoles Chick-fil-A Bowl Pick: I hear that Christian Ponder will likely play on Friday, which definitely ups the Seminoles’ chances of upsetting (slightly) the South Carolina Gamecocks. But, it’s not enough for me to give them the nod, as I truly believe the Gamecocks are one of the better teams in college football.

It’s hard to say they’re great when they got beat 17-56 in their final game of the year against Auburn, but they really are a good football team. Even with that 56 point mishap, the Gamecocks gave up just 23 points per game. They beat Alabama, smacked Florida around, lost to Auburn earlier in the season by just a touchdown, and walked through a tough defensive team in Clemson. The Gamecocks did it many ways this year, using elite talent at RB and WR (and a solid all around year by QB, Stephen Garcia) to put points on the board against good defenses. Speaking of good defenses, the Gamecocks were very good. As a team, SC out-rushed their opponents in 7 of their last 9 games. They are as healthy as they’ve been since the beginning of the season, and they have a good coach leading the way.

Florida State played well down the stretch, even giving the Hokies all they could handle without Christian Ponder in the ACC-Title Game. They lost 33-44, but it was a good performance from a FSU team playing without their QB and leader.

But I think the Seminoles inability to stop the run, and their constant struggle with producing on the ground; will end up being their downfall against the Gamecocks. They’ve lost the rushing battle in 6 of their last 7 games, and that will certainly continue on Friday.

#20 South Carolina Gamecocks (-3) @ Florida State Seminoles