South Carolina/Vanderbilt Odds, Spread & Predictions


September 2, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Info Plays team previews the South Carolina/Vanderbilt spread in the following article.  We’ll have our prediction in the Gamecocks/Commodores contest Thursday for just $19.95!

The South Carolina Gamecocks started off very sluggish in their season opener, but that’s to be expected.  What wasn’t expected was that Chris Smelley would be seeing the field.  Smelley came in at quarterback in the fourth quarter after starter Tommy Beecher threw four interceptions and was removed before the start of the fourth quarter with an injury.  Injured or not, it was time for Beecher to sit on the sidelines. 

Smelley came into the contest and completed all five of his passes, two for scores.  That game with NC State was actually respectable entering the fourth quarter, before Smelley led the Gamecocks on three drives that ended in touchdowns.  Although it was against a tired NC State defense, it still can’t go without notice.

Head coach Steve Spurrier has now decided to go with Smelley for the SEC opener against Vanderbilt.  It was in part due to Beecher’s inability to practice Monday because he couldn’t’ lift his non-throwing shoulder.  Spurrier is known for his quarterback swaps when things aren’t going well, and even stated Monday that Smelled probably would have started even if Beecher wasn’t injured. 

Will Smelley take hold of the starting QB job with flying colors Thursday?  Trust in Smelley and the Gamecocks to cover the 10-point spread as favorites at Sportsbook.com here!

Smelley won’t be productive, either, if the offensive line doesn’t step up.  The Gamecocks’ O-Line allowed 5 sacks, committed four false start penalties and a holding penalty to prevent the offense from flourishing in the first three quarters.  Smelley found out how good Vanderbilt’s defense was last year in South Carolina’s 17-6 home loss to the Commodores.  Smelley completed just 14-of-24 passes for only 154 yards and no touchdowns.  He was picked off twice, his career high in interceptions thrown in a game, before getting pulled by Spurrier.  Gamecocks’ quarterbacks were sacked seven times in their ‘07 loss to Vandy.

The Commodores held the Gamecocks to just 26 rushing yards on 22 attempts as Vanderbilt snapped their seven-game winning streak.  Senior tailback Mike Davis was held to 16 yards on six attempts against the Commodores last season.  But Davis looked solid in the season opener, rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown on only 14 attempts.  South Carolina’s defense ranked among the worst in the SEC last season, but the Gamecocks held NC State to just 138 total yards while forcing 4 turnovers in the process.

The Gamecocks should be in for a much stiffer test from Vanderbilt in their week 2 game Thursday.  The Commodores managed 360 yards of total offense in last Thursday’s blowout 34-13 victory at Miami (Ohio).  Senior quarterback Chris Nickson showed off his versatility, rushing fro a career-high 166 yards and two touchdowns.  He also threw for another score.  Nickson missed the second half of last season with a separated shoulder, but he’s finally healthy and is excited to take advantage of an offensive game plan that will utilize his speed this season.

Can Nickson keep this game close and perhaps lead the Commodores to another upset victory over South Carolina Thursday?  TAKE THE POINTS and bet Vanderbilt +10 at BetUs here!

Vandy is picked to finish dead last in the SEC, and the Commodores haven’t opened the season with consecutive victories since winning its first four games in 2005.  The Commodores have lost four straight home meetings with South Carolina since topping the Gamecocks 17-14 back in 1998.  South Carolina has a stronghold on the all-time series with a 14-3 edge over Vanderbilt.

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