Week 8 SEC Picks and College Football Best Bets
By Evan Ertel
![Oct 7, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Mike Wright (14) runs the ball against the Western Michigan Broncos during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports Oct 7, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Mike Wright (14) runs the ball against the Western Michigan Broncos during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d17adbb65f55fc78d74a19e53b98b950388176a6515e9e9f784f109d0786b7c9.jpg)
South Carolina @ No. 20 Missouri (-7) (O/U 60)
Evan: After back-to-back weeks of not living up to the team I thought that they could be, I am blackballing the Gamecocks. Tigers roll at home. I said a couple of weeks ago in this very same picks post that Mizzou would finish as a top-six team in the SEC. Missouri -7
Justin: Whenever I watch Missouri, I always find myself asking, “how have they only lost one game?” But I do have to give them credit because they keep winning, and I think they do so against the Gamecocks. Missouri: -7
Ethan: Is this a rivalry? Does it count as a rivalry yet? I don’t know, I’ve never been to either Columbia, but I have driven through Missouri. That’s not important. I have no real insight on either of these teams because I’m not sure I’ve seen either be consistent this season. Mizzou keeps winning though. Like Justin, I don’t know how that happens. I think South Carolina is better than the Gamecocks’ record reflects, but I suspect Missouri wins this one and covers. Missouri -7
Andrew: Mizzou is just the better team. Both offenses are productive, but South Carolina’s OL serves as a clear Achilles heel, whereas the Tigers lack that fatal flaw. And the Mizzou defense has merely been unimpressive as opposed to being horrendous like the Gamecocks. Missouri -7
Ryan: I do not think South Carolina is a good team at all at this point outside of Rattler doing everything he can. Missouri has turned out to be a good team and maybe the second-best team in the East. Think Missouri takes care of business here. Missouri -7
John: Mizzou is good? Drinkwitz is a great coach? I think I still believe in the Tigers from Columbia. At least more than the Gamecocks from Columbia. Missouri -7