South Carolina is hosting Vanderbilt on Saturday night of Week 3. The game will take place at 7:45 p.m. ET in Columbia, South Carolina. Both teams begin their SEC campaign after going 2-0 in non-conference play to start the season.
The Gamecocks are three-point home favorites in this game on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at 48.5 points. This is a preview, prediction and pick for this Vanderbilt-South Carolina SEC matchup.
Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina Preview
Vanderbilt Preview
The Vanderbilt Commodores were one of the darlings of the 2024 college football season. The program had dwelled in the basement of the SEC, finishing last place in their division for five straight years coming into 2024. However, transfer quarterback Diego Pavia, along with some of his coaches from New Mexico State, came to Nashville and helped Clark Lea’s team win seven games, including the bowl game. Vanderbilt didn’t just win seven games, it knocked off both Alabama and Auburn, as well as playing tight games against Texas, LSU and Missouri. Pavia is a dual-threat weapon, is an absolute gamer and has one of the best tight ends in America to throw to, Eli Stowers. Last week, the Commodores faced Virginia Tech and it was a tale of two halves. They trailed 20-10 at halftime, but exploded for 34 unanswered points in the second half to win 44-20. If second-half Vanderbilt shows up, the team has a great chance to win this game. However, if first-half Vanderbilt shows up, the Gamecocks could steamroll.
South Carolina Preview
South Carolina is the No. 11 team in the country heading into this matchup. The Gamecocks had a special 2024 season, coming up just short of a College Football Playoff berth. They lost a lot of NFL talent on defense, but returned the two most important players on the roster, quarterback LaNorris Sellers and phenom EDGE Dylan Stewart. The team has looked a bit shaky through two games this season, with its special teams leading the way. However, the Gamecocks haven’t had to put their foot on the gas yet. After an early Sellers rushing touchdown, they were always in control against Virginia Tech. Then, after an extensive weather delay, they came out slow against SC State before their special teams and defense dominated. Now that they are into SEC play, this game will tell whether South Carolina has taken a step back or if it has been waiting to push into another gear.
Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina Pick
My best bet is for South Carolina to cover the three-point spread at home. This line has plummeted all week with big money backing the Commodores, but the line movement has gone too far. South Carolina has dominated Vanderbilt over the years. The Gamecocks have won 16 consecutive matchups against Vanderbilt dating back to 2009. Even last season’s Vanderbilt, which hung tough or beat almost everyone on its schedule, lost 28-7 in Nashville to the Gamecocks. Sellers is one of the best playmakers in college football, and he hasn’t had to use his powers yet. He is not a stat-padder who will throw for 350 yards against bad competition. He is a quarterback who will pick up the necessary yards with his legs and make the big plays needed to win games. The South Carolina defense shut down Pavia last season, and while the team lost a lot of pieces, it is still a talented group led by the same coordinator. Williams-Brice Stadium at night is one of the best home-field advantages in all of college football. The crowd, the quarterback and the special teams edge should propel South Carolina to win and cover of the short spread.
