In case you missed it, on Sunday this was released:

Odds to win SEC via @LVSuperBook: Alabama 5/8

Georgia 5/2

Auburn 7/1

Mississippi State 12/1

Florida, LSU 18/1

Missouri 20/1

South Carolina, Texas A&M 30/1

Tennessee 100/1

Arkansas, Kentucky 300/1

Vanderbilt 500/1

Ole Miss n/a

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 8, 2018

Despite finishing second in the SEC East and going 9-4 last year, the Gamecocks were given 30-1 odds to win the SEC this year. Doesn’t that seem low?

LVSuperBook gives Missouri a better chance of winning the SEC than South Carolina. Missouri! Last year, Missouri couldn’t beat a team with a winning record. This year, they are given 20-1 odds to win the SEC. An SEC East title for the Tigers seems impossible. They must survive a tough schedule that includes a home game against Georgia and visits to Alabama, Florida and South Carolina.

After a rare losing season, the Florida Gators were given the second-best odds to win the SEC East. The Gators have a new head coach in Dan Mullen. Florida plays Georgia on a neutral field and hosts South Carolina and LSU. Their toughest road game will probably be a September contest at Mississippi State.

The Georgia Bulldogs were given the best odds to win the SEC East. That makes sense. After all, the Bulldogs won the SEC last year and almost won the national championship.

For South Carolina, it will come down to that September 8 game at Williams Brice against Georgia. If the Gamecocks can pull the upset, their odds to win the SEC will skyrocket. If South Carolina beats Georgia, the Gamecocks would likely have to lose at least two SEC games to not win the SEC East.

After going 9-4 last year, expectations are high this season among Gamecock fans. If this team stays healthy, South Carolina should prove the oddsmakers wrong. The Gamecocks should finish first or second in the SEC East, not fourth.