[BigdaddyQH]

This should be a very good matchup on opening night, 9/2. Both teams have disappointed in the past, and never quite lived up to expectations. Southern Miss returns 4 starters, and RBLampley, who did not start last season, but is expected to be a strong RB. QB Davis returns after a foot injury. The Golden Eagles must replace both starting Guards and Tackles. Still, this unit is expected to put points on the board. The Defense returns 9 starters, and should be improved from last years edition, which was very inconsistant. Inconsistancy was the weakness of this entire team last season.

South Carolina was another team full of inconsistancies last season. This should be the strongest team Coach Spurrier has had at South Carolina. 8 starters return on offense, including QB Garcia, who must become more consistant in his play, especially his passing. The entire backfield returns with him. This unit scored 28 or more points in 5 games, but 16 or less in their other 8 games. 7 starters return on a defense that was strong for most of last season, but again, inconsistant. This unit gave up 17 or less points in 6 games, but 31 or more in 3 others. It is hard to pinpoint a reason for such inconsistancy, but coaching has to have something to do with it.

This game brings many interesting wager possibilities to the table. South Carolina is 10-5 ATS as a Home Favorite in their past 5 seasons. Southern Miss is 5-2 as an away dog in their past two seasons. This game could be a wild high scoring affair, or it could be very low scoring. This is the make up of both of these inconsistant teams. Both teams are in divisions that have seen the top teams lose a lot to graduation. Both teams are looking forward to big seasons, and competing for their division and possibly conference championships. Something has to give. If you wager on this game, your results should be a good barometer of where you stand going into the season.

Next Up. SMU at Texas Tech on Sunday, 9/5.