Finally college football is here and the week one schedule is loaded with plenty of great games. All eyes may be on the matchup between Alabama vs. Michigan, or Boise State vs. Michigan State, but there is a game in the SEC that deserves some attention.
No. 9 ranked South Carolina travels to play the Vanderbilt Commodores on Thursday, August 30, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Vanderbilt Stadium. Vanderbilt is vastly improved and should be a tough team in the SEC and the Gamecocks are poised to make a run at the SEC title and the BCS.
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College Football Week One Odds: The line on this game posted at top rated sportsbook, WagerWeb has the Gamecocks as (-7.5) point favorites, with the total set at 47. Bet on this game at WagerWeb and get a 100% Bonus up to a $1,000 to bet on college football! Are you up to the challenge?
Can Rodgers Upset South Carolina?
The Gamecocks better be up to the challenge because Vanderbilt will be ready for this home opener.
South Carolina will already have issues to deal with as their starting cornerback Akeem Auguste is injured. The school announced Monday that Auguste had a procedure on his right thigh muscle which will sideline him for the next four to five weeks.
On offense South Carolina looks tough to beat with junior Connor Shaw under center. Shaw leads an offense this is able to put up big points against any defense. The Gamecocks will have plenty of consistency on the field as they return 14 starters on the field. Vanderbilt however is not lacking in this area.
Head coach James Franklin is giving Vanderbilt fans something to be excited about. Last year he led the Commodores to their second bowl game since ’82, and he returns a total of 18 starters heading into this opener against South Carolina.
Stever Spurrier likes to run it up on the opposition and he took care of the Commodores a year ago by the final score of 21-3. That was a year ago and this game is on the road so South Carolina will have to deal with a hostile crowd psyched for the opener.
Marcus Lattimore’s recovery from last year’s knee surgery is an issue for the team and they will play him cautiously in this game. This should set the tone for a slow start for the Gamecocks who will get a challenge on defense.
Jordan Rodgers is under center for the Commodores and the brother of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, has some talent. A year ago he completed 50 percent of his passes (108-of-216) for 1,524 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Rodgers, a dual-threat quarterback, also finished second on the team behind Zac Stacy (1,193 yards and 14 touchdowns) in rushing, with 420 yards and four touchdowns.
Stacy, another senior, is the top returning rusher in the SEC and has a chance to break several career team rushing records.
The Commodores also have some sports betting trends that are worth noting. The Commodores are 7-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 8 home games, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games, and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as an underdog.[poll id="25"]
It may only be week one in college football but look for an inspired effort by Vanderbilt as they keep this game close and have a shot at winning as the game winds down. Take the points and enjoy an easy win in week one.
