This one could get ugly in a hurry. Let's look at the match up:
*Vanderbilt Offense versus South Carolina Defense: We have a Vanderbilt offense without their only reliable Wide Receiver (George Smith will not be playing), with no running back threats, a brand new offensive line (5 new starters this year) who looked poor against a small conference Miami of Ohio defense, and with only one true offensive threat (their quarterback: Nickson). They will be going up against one of the best defenses in the SEC. This South Carolina defense is very good. NFL Scouts and even an NFL coach has seen this team and commented on the amount of NFL talent on this squad. They were tested early and often in their first game and did not break. Granted it was against an N.C. State team, but that N.C. State team does have a very good offensive line (vastly superior to Vanderbilt's) and a talented running back. Bottom line: South Carolina will load the box and dare Vanderbilt to throw. Nickson (Vanderbilt's dual threat quarterback) is not a passing threat and will be overmatched by the SEC's number 1 rated passing defense from last season.
*South Carolina Offense versus Vanderbilt Defense: South Carolina looked very poor on offense with first time starter Tommy Beecher (4 interceptions) at the helm. Insert Chris Smelley with his 4-2 record (wins over last year's top 10 Kentucky squad, last year's Mississippi State Bulldogs that went bowling, last year's unimpressive UNC squad, and pancake S.C. State) and things changed in a hurry. Smelley went 5-5 with two touchdowns (some people forget that this guy is just a redshirt Sophmore). Quite simply, the Gamecock offense looked good with Smelley at the helm. Two other important additions that occurred in the fourth quarter that contributed to the offense's improvement was LT Jarriel King (first year player from Georgia Military College that one scout has said looks like a starting NFL left tackle, he is raw, but he is an absolute monster that is grasping the position fast, as evidenced Thursday night against a very capable N.C. State defensive line) and starting running back Mike Davis (punished the first few quarters with limited play for trying to rip open a vending machine to get his sports drink. Hey, we have all been there! Haha!) N.C. State's defense didn't have a chance against this offense in the fourth quarter and lets be frank, N.C. State has a good defense that is clearly superior to Vanderbilit's (Front Seven is vastly superior for N.C. State and I would give the edge to Vanderbilt in the Secondary between the Wolfpack and the Commodores. Vanderbilt is actually solid in the secondary.) Bottom line, South Carolina is going to pound the football and when Vanderbilt gets clever and loads the box (I expect a lot of blitzing), they will not be able to hold off a receiving corps that is led by All-American Kenny McKinley.
*Special Teams: Both teams have guys who can take it to the house (Moore for Vandy, Munnerlyn and Culliver for South Carolina). Both have good kickers, but Vanderbilt has the better punter (he pinned South Carolina inside the 5 yard line three times in last years game, six times inside the 20 yard line).
*Home Advantage: Non-existent. Although Vanderbilt is planning a blackout for the game, the stadium will still be half garnet. The Gamecock faithful travel extremely well and are notorious for taking home field advantage away from Vanderbilt in Nashville.
*Motivation: Of course Vanderbilt is going to be up for this game, but they appear to be a little overconfident. Moore has stated that South Carolina's WRs are "average at best" and I am sure that All-American Kenny McKinley will enjoy putting that statement to the test. In addition, every single member of this Gamecock football team remembers coming into this game last year and overlooking the Dores. You have to remember, this is a young South Carolina team that was 6th in the country last year before losing 5 defensive starters in the process of losing their last 5 games of the season: beginning with Vanderbilt. It's not happening this season. This South Carolina team is pumped up and wants to avenge that loss last season. This game has been marked on the calendar every since the loss last season. For Vanderbilt to win, South Carolina is going to have to beat themselves or Vanderbilt is going to have to be the better team and news flash: they are not the better team.
*The Verdict: South Carolina will load the box, stuff the run, and force Nickson to beat the SEC's number 1 pass defense with his harm. He will lose this battle. The Gamecocks will then go on offense and exploit an inferior front 7 with the running game. Vanderbilt will then put more in the box, blitz every other down, and get beat by a very accurate (average arm strength though) quarterback in Chris Smelley. Spurrier will not take his foot off the pedal, this team wants redemption and will make a statement.
*Take South Carolina -10.0 -110
*Vanderbilt Offense versus South Carolina Defense: We have a Vanderbilt offense without their only reliable Wide Receiver (George Smith will not be playing), with no running back threats, a brand new offensive line (5 new starters this year) who looked poor against a small conference Miami of Ohio defense, and with only one true offensive threat (their quarterback: Nickson). They will be going up against one of the best defenses in the SEC. This South Carolina defense is very good. NFL Scouts and even an NFL coach has seen this team and commented on the amount of NFL talent on this squad. They were tested early and often in their first game and did not break. Granted it was against an N.C. State team, but that N.C. State team does have a very good offensive line (vastly superior to Vanderbilt's) and a talented running back. Bottom line: South Carolina will load the box and dare Vanderbilt to throw. Nickson (Vanderbilt's dual threat quarterback) is not a passing threat and will be overmatched by the SEC's number 1 rated passing defense from last season.
*South Carolina Offense versus Vanderbilt Defense: South Carolina looked very poor on offense with first time starter Tommy Beecher (4 interceptions) at the helm. Insert Chris Smelley with his 4-2 record (wins over last year's top 10 Kentucky squad, last year's Mississippi State Bulldogs that went bowling, last year's unimpressive UNC squad, and pancake S.C. State) and things changed in a hurry. Smelley went 5-5 with two touchdowns (some people forget that this guy is just a redshirt Sophmore). Quite simply, the Gamecock offense looked good with Smelley at the helm. Two other important additions that occurred in the fourth quarter that contributed to the offense's improvement was LT Jarriel King (first year player from Georgia Military College that one scout has said looks like a starting NFL left tackle, he is raw, but he is an absolute monster that is grasping the position fast, as evidenced Thursday night against a very capable N.C. State defensive line) and starting running back Mike Davis (punished the first few quarters with limited play for trying to rip open a vending machine to get his sports drink. Hey, we have all been there! Haha!) N.C. State's defense didn't have a chance against this offense in the fourth quarter and lets be frank, N.C. State has a good defense that is clearly superior to Vanderbilit's (Front Seven is vastly superior for N.C. State and I would give the edge to Vanderbilt in the Secondary between the Wolfpack and the Commodores. Vanderbilt is actually solid in the secondary.) Bottom line, South Carolina is going to pound the football and when Vanderbilt gets clever and loads the box (I expect a lot of blitzing), they will not be able to hold off a receiving corps that is led by All-American Kenny McKinley.
*Special Teams: Both teams have guys who can take it to the house (Moore for Vandy, Munnerlyn and Culliver for South Carolina). Both have good kickers, but Vanderbilt has the better punter (he pinned South Carolina inside the 5 yard line three times in last years game, six times inside the 20 yard line).
*Home Advantage: Non-existent. Although Vanderbilt is planning a blackout for the game, the stadium will still be half garnet. The Gamecock faithful travel extremely well and are notorious for taking home field advantage away from Vanderbilt in Nashville.
*Motivation: Of course Vanderbilt is going to be up for this game, but they appear to be a little overconfident. Moore has stated that South Carolina's WRs are "average at best" and I am sure that All-American Kenny McKinley will enjoy putting that statement to the test. In addition, every single member of this Gamecock football team remembers coming into this game last year and overlooking the Dores. You have to remember, this is a young South Carolina team that was 6th in the country last year before losing 5 defensive starters in the process of losing their last 5 games of the season: beginning with Vanderbilt. It's not happening this season. This South Carolina team is pumped up and wants to avenge that loss last season. This game has been marked on the calendar every since the loss last season. For Vanderbilt to win, South Carolina is going to have to beat themselves or Vanderbilt is going to have to be the better team and news flash: they are not the better team.
*The Verdict: South Carolina will load the box, stuff the run, and force Nickson to beat the SEC's number 1 pass defense with his harm. He will lose this battle. The Gamecocks will then go on offense and exploit an inferior front 7 with the running game. Vanderbilt will then put more in the box, blitz every other down, and get beat by a very accurate (average arm strength though) quarterback in Chris Smelley. Spurrier will not take his foot off the pedal, this team wants redemption and will make a statement.
*Take South Carolina -10.0 -110
Not bad hu Bet Shooter and everyone else who told me to post some plays. Where you at now clique boyz?