The Auburn Tigers are set to face the South Carolina Gamecocks this weekend. Check out our college football odds series, which includes our Auburn-South Carolina prediction, odds, and pick.

Auburn has been through a roller-coaster season, the first year of new coach Bryan Harsin's tenure. The Tigers looked overmatched in the early part of the season but then rose in October and briefly had a shot at the SEC West title. Given the way quarterback Bo Nix improved during the season, it seemed Auburn was going to have a decent chance at beating Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Remember — for those considering an Auburn South Carolina pick, and for those who study college football odds — that Auburn has beaten Alabama at home in three of the last four meetings at Jordan-Hare Stadium: 2013, 2017, and 2019.

Yet, just when it seemed Auburn had a chance to make a run, everything fell apart. The Tigers' offense was smothered by Texas A&M and defensive coordinator Mike Elko two weeks ago. Then it was the defense's turn to collapse. Auburn gained a 28-3 lead this past weekend against Mississippi State. Like the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI, Auburn blew that 25-point lead. The Tigers allowed 40 straight points to the Bulldogs. Mike Leach's team scored another impressive road win, leaving Auburn dazed and confused. Auburn has still shown that if Harsin can recruit elite players, the Tigers have a bright future. However, there have been enough head-scratching moments in 2021 to suggest that Harsin still has to evolve as a coach.

South Carolina has surpassed all expectations under coach Shane Beamer this year. Most experts felt the Gamecocks would be no better than a three-win team, but they stunned Florida and have put Dan Mullen squarely on the hot seat in Gainesville. South Carolina also came from behind to beat East Carolina, and it pulled out a last-minute win over Vanderbilt. Those three results have the Gamecocks at 5-5, meaning they can go to a bowl game if they win one of their last two games.

Here’s how the bookmakers have set the odds:

College Football odds: Auburn-South Carolina Odds

Auburn: -7.5 (-106)

South Carolina: +7.5 (-114)

Over: 45.5 (-105)

Under: 45.5 (-115)

*Watch College Football Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)

Why Auburn Could Cover the Spread

The Tigers are a better team than South Carolina. Auburn should be able to physically overpower the Gamecocks at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Auburn has better athletes, better coaching, and is steaming mad after the Mississippi State debacle. Harsin, a first-year coach, knows he needs to get the full attention of his team. Don't expect Auburn to sulk and pout about the Mississippi State loss. Expect some fire in the belly and a real commitment to every aspect of this game. It's part of the thought process when considering an Auburn South Carolina pick.

Why South Carolina Could Cover the Spread

The Gamecocks are facing an Auburn team with its backup quarterback. Bo Nix is hurt, so T.J. Finley is in. Finley did lead a comeback win for Auburn against Georgia State earlier this season, but at a point in time when many people felt Harsin needed to switch to Finley, the coach stuck with Nix and improved him. Auburn's offense evolved with Nix. Finley's start in Week 12 is not the product of his own evolution but the result of an injury. It's very hard to know what to expect from Finley. A South Carolina team which crushed Florida can certainly handle a Nix-less Auburn offense.

Final Auburn-South Carolina Prediction & Pick

This is another game in which it is best to stay away. You don't have to bet on every game. It's hard to know what to expect from Finley and the Auburn offense. Ultimately, the best play in this game is probably the under. South Carolina held Florida's potent attack to just 17 points. The Gamecocks' offense was really bad last week in a loss to Missouri. Unless there are turnovers returned for scores (or close to scores), this has a decent chance of being a 24-17, 24-20 final, just under the number.

Final Auburn-South Carolina Pick: -3.5