[JayHorne3]

Well ladies and gents this will be my first pick of the year and it will be a big one for me. South Carolina goes on the road to Vandy in the season opener as 7 point favs. The Commodores getting a lot of respect after coach James Franklin did a wonderful job bringing Vanderbilt out of the basement in the SEC last year. Vandy battled teams like Georgia,Arkansas, and Florida really tight last year by losing each of those games by less than one score primarily with the help of solid defense. Vandy will once again have a respectable defense but they will be extremely overmatched on the offensive side of the football. South Carolina's defense played as well as any team in the nation during the 2nd half of 2011 ranking 3rd overall in total defense. This years Gamecocks defense could and should be even better especially along the defensive front. There are some depth concerns in the secondary but Vanderbilt does not have the talent or consistency to exploit those issues with Qb Jordan Rodgers. Rather South Carolina's offense is the x factor in this game. Marcus Lattimore led the nation in rushing before going down with an ACL injury. This year Lattimore is healthy and QB Connor Shaw can add additional threat to the running game. Shaw has reportedly had an excellent spring and something tells me the Gamecocks will be able to throw around a bit more now that they have a consistent guy behind center. Overall the Gamecocks will be too much here because their strengths match up well against Vandy. Both defenses may control the tempo early but South Carolina's defense will keep them on the short side of the field and help them cruise. ( Gamecocks defense gave up just 77 total yards to Vandy last year).

Please do yourself a favor and lay a big bet for me. Look at my history. I am solid as anyone but do not make many picks 31-19-2 in 2012. (Don't bet MLB)

770 to win 700

[firedawg]

Game comes down to a fg.

[JayHorne3]

Game comes down to a fg.

We can make a points wager if you are that confident.. let me know

[tmgissy]

put 1k on it a bit back when it dropped down to 6.5 , this will be the easiest pick of the year!

[CarolinaDaze]

[frogsrangers]

I originally had South Carolina -7 as a 5 unit lock, but some doubt is starting to spring up, just because its a Week 1 game on the road.

However South Carolina has shown up for these Thursday openers in the past, and as long as they play an average game, they will cover.

Vanderbilt is going to be fired up, so South Carolina has to take it to them early to knock the wind out of their sails and take the crowd out of it. The longer Vandy hangs around, the harder it will be for South Carolina to cover

The key will be the 1st Quarter. If South Carolina lands the first punch, they should be fine. But if they are playing catch up all night by letting Vandy get on the board first, its going to be a long night. South Carolina has the team to play from ahead, but playing from behind I can see them forcing things and getting out of sync.

I downgraded it to a 4 unit play, but I am still confident this is the right play, it just might be a tense heart pounding one that isn't sealed until the clock hits 0.

[zoo youk]

man i would be really really careful here. James Franklin has this team playing hard, smart and very very physical and Jordan Rodgers is a huge x factor. down the stretch last year they played very competitive against big teams. lost by li 5 to Georgia, 3 to arkansas and 5 to florida.

meanwhile franklin has one of his best recruiting classes ever coming in at Vandy and they only lose 2 starters on defense.

[mynameismud]

everyone and their grandma has s. carolina -7. hey, im on it too...its just getting less yummy with not a sole on vandy.

[RyanLeafOfBets]

I'm going to be on the under when dsi finally releases it. GL all.

[firedawg]

Decided by a fg.... No doubt in
My mind.

[HoulihansTX]

S. Caro is better than Vandy, ok we get it.

[paranoyd androyd]

hope to grab a value play on this at the half gl jay

[frogsrangers]

man i would be really really careful here. James Franklin has this team playing hard, smart and very very physical and Jordan Rodgers is a huge x factor. down the stretch last year they played very competitive against big teams. lost by li 5 to Georgia, 3 to arkansas and 5 to florida.

meanwhile franklin has one of his best recruiting classes ever coming in at Vandy and they only lose 2 starters on defense.

How hard you play really only matters on defense, on offense the execution has to be there, and Vandy doesn't have the offensive firepower to be able to move the ball consistently on South Carolina's defense

They might get an offensive TD, and score on defense/special teams, but over the course of 4 quarters, I don't think they will have enough unless they completely shut down South Carolina's offense as well, making it a low scoring affair. That is Vandy's only hope in this game. And I can see that happening, South Carolina's offense is going to be missing Alshon Jeffery and I don't think Lattimore will be 100%, but South Carolina just needs to win the field position battle.

[travismcilrath]

isnt aaron rodgers brother starting for vandy this year

[travismcilrath]

i think it will be a close one

[travismcilrath]

maybe put it in a teaser

[travismcilrath]

i agree may come down to a fg

[Ghenghis Kahn]

well it's down to 6.5 so if you want south carolina book it!!!

[Doc JS]

I hope you are right! Huge Gamecock fan here...but...

Vandy always plays us tough.
It's not unusual for us to struggle in NashVegas.
Rodgers throws the ball pretty well.
We've had some injuries in the defensive backfield.
We're a little thin at wide receiver.
Lattimore is coming off his ACL reconstruction.
It's the first game of the season.
And it's on the road.
It's the SEC.

Like I said, I hope you're right. And I'm gonna be sitting here Thursday nite pulling for my Gamecocks!

Doc

[jjgold]

Well South Carolina seems ready, they have been very solid for a few years now

I would love to see them contend for big bowl game

I will tail

[pokernut9999]

I hope you are right! Huge Gamecock fan here...but...

Vandy always plays us tough.
It's not unusual for us to struggle in NashVegas.
Rodgers throws the ball pretty well.
We've had some injuries in the defensive backfield.
We're a little thin at wide receiver.
Lattimore is coming off his ACL reconstruction.
It's the first game of the season.
And it's on the road.
It's the SEC.

Like I said, I hope you're right. And I'm gonna be sitting here Thursday nite pulling for my Gamecocks!

Doc

Words of wisdom

[MoneyLineDawg]

Well South Carolina seems ready, they have been very solid for a few years now

I would love to see them contend for big bowl game

I will tail

South Carolina will be awesome this season, but this particular game I wouldn't risk a ton

Yes I think they win, and probably cover but Vandy is solid so ya never know......SC 1 unit play is my suggestion

Ill still go with

South Carolina 24
Vanderbilt 9

[Okiejoe]

Theres a reason why the games -7 bud.

[firedawg]

Well South Carolina seems ready, they have been very solid for a few years now

I would love to see them contend for big bowl game

I will tail

The start of your fall burial.....

[fergie's balls]

Vandy can't duplicate in practice the speed of the pass rush they are about to face. This should be 13-17 pt game with the turnovers that will be forced.

[pulledclear]

When it looks to good to be true.....

[Okiejoe]

All the sharp money is on vandy. Never put your opinion in a line thats 101 kid 101.

[ChalkyDog]

All the sharp money is on vandy. Never put your opinion in a line thats 101 kid 101.

Why is it sharp?

I am going to assume sharp money is on the under. Only play in the game, IMO.

[MoneyLineDawg]

Vanderbilt TT Under is the best play IMO

[Okiejoe]

Vandy +7 probably bought 1/2 point so they can get off at -5. I'm just guessing it goes to 5 sure looks like its heading in that direction.

[casanders86]

Conner Shaw is the lease consistent QB to bet on. Spurrier had to go back to Garcia a few times due to his lack of ability. It's tough to put that much on a team that just lost it's leading receiver, has Conner Shaw at the helm without a backup option if he goes into the gutter, and has their starting tailback returning from tearing his ACL on the road in the SEC against a defense that lost just two starters. Jadeveon Clowney will be the only reason this covers IMO.

Sounds like a trap game but with that much money on the line I'll be pulling for you.

[TheCentaur]

I don't think Vandy has the athletes on defense to keep this close. Lattimore and Shaw are going to punch them in the mouth, just like we did the whole last quarter to Clemson at Williams Brice a few years back

[Okiejoe]

Lines going to move back -7 my mistake take 6.5 if you can.

[Hookem77]

Vandy in SEC games screams under, plus throw in the fact that SC will be relying on its defense and lattimore and I see a low scoring game

[Nittany Lion]

Vandy in SEC games screams under, plus throw in the fact that SC will be relying on its defense and lattimore and I see a low scoring game

BINGO! The SC spread was meant to be teased or play the ML, -6/-7 was too many points. Vanderbilt is a decent team.