Despite the South Carolina Gamecocks winning the season series against the Florida Gators -- not to mention both teams entering the 2011 CWS final undefeated for the tourney -- Florida's favored to win Game 1, according to odds posted at Bodog.
You can review the stats here, which favor Carolina. The Cocks have been better than the Gators both head-to-head and in the College World Series, and I'd take their significant pitching advantage over Florida's offensive edge.
So why the love for the Gators? This one looks like a brand name battle. Are you really comfortable betting on USC, which has won one championship in any sport ever, against Florida, which is going for the NCAA equivalent of a triple crown? Nevermind that Carolina's lone title came last year.
Still, I think riding with the champs tonight is the better pick.
Check here for complete 2011 CWS scores and schedules, and here for NCAA baseball news and stories. For more SEC sports, join Team Speed Kills. Gators fans, head to Alligator Army and SB Nation Tampa Bay; USC fans, visit Garnet And Black Attack.