Carrie Stroup here and Saturday's matchup between the Tennessee Vols and South Carolina Gamecocks sees even betting action on either side with both the Tennessee -3 spread and the money line. 

Sportsbooks the likes of  Sportsbook.com will see a wash on this game no matter which way it goes unless the favorite wins and the bookmaker can get a little bit off the vig.  But this is a pretty darn close matchup in the eyes of bettors.

ESPN's Jim Donnan points out:

"In a battle of two of the SEC's winningest coaches, Steve Spurrier has an advantage: He has a 8-3 record in head-to-head matches with Phil Fulmer. South Carolina's upset of the Vols last season was one of the biggest upsets of the year, and it would be even bigger this year. Tennessee is certainly better this year, and the Gamecocks still have to prove that they have what it takes to be a top 10 team. For the first time all season, Vols quarterback Erik Ainge showed vulnerability in last week's 16-13 win against Alabama. That could be a big break for the Gamecocks. Tennessee's receivers have an edge over South Carolina's secondary. Syvelle Newton has played well at quarterback, and Tennessee has struggled with containing mobile quarterbacks in the past (for example, against Air Force). South Carolina's upcoming schedule is undoubtedly tough, but if the Gamecocks play well in games against the Vols, Arkansas and Florida, they could have a lot to say in who makes it to the SEC championship game."

These days as South Carolina's coach, Spurrier's happy to watch quarterback Syvelle Newton get the offense going with his legs instead of his arm.

Take last week against Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks faced third-and-13 near the end of the third quarter when Newton ran 15 yards to keep alive South Carolina's touchdown drive.

"I was telling (assistant) David Reaves that play right there makes me a lot smarter than him getting sacked,'' Spurrier said.

Newton's mobility has the Gamecocks picking up more than half their third-down conversions (32 of 63). It's much improved over last season's 34 percent conversion rate and is a big reason why the Gamecocks (5-2, 3-2 SEC) have won four of five heading into Saturday night's game with No. 8 Tennessee (6-1, 2-1).

The line here opened at Tennessee -4 1/2, is still -3 1/2 at most online sportsbooks and has fallen all the way to -3 at Sportsbook.com

Tennessee is 6-1.  Carolina is 5-2.  The road team is 8-0-1 in its last nine meetings ATS.  Tennessee has completely dominated this series over the last ten though last year falling 15-16 to South Carolina for the first time in 10.

Be sure to take advantage of all the great big prize football contests and special signup promotions being offered at Sportsbook.com

And don't forget to check my blog regularly 

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Carrie Stroup, www.sports911.com

Originally published October 27, 2006 9:46 am ET