The Tennessee Volunteers travel to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks in an important SEC matchup in Week 8. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina.
The Gamecocks are listed as 2.5-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at O/U 50.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for this Week 8 matchup.
South Carolina vs. Tennessee Prediction, Preview
Tennessee Preview
Tennessee is coming off a massive win over Alabama. The Volunteers have now won three straight games since losing to Texas, propelling them to No. 11 in the latest AP poll. This winning streak has come after making a quarterback change from Faizon Brandon to George MacIntyre. MacIntyre has not been perfect by any means, but he has provided enough of a threat in the passing game to complement Tennessee’s fantastic run game, led by DeSean Bishop. The Volunteers’ defense is also one of the best in the SEC. If MacIntyre can continue to provide steady quarterback play, this is a team that can beat anyone in the conference, and it has a chance to get to the College Football Playoff.
South Carolina Preview
South Carolina might be turning its season around just in time. The Gamecocks started SEC play 0-3 after blowing double-digit leads against Mississippi State and Kentucky. Shane Beamer’s job seemed to be on the line and the Gamecocks’ season was going down the drain. That was until they went into Gainesville and dominated the Florida Gators. The Gamecock defense played its best game of the season so far, and LaNorris Sellers finally looked like the top NFL Draft prospect he is supposed to be, throwing for four touchdowns. The Gamecocks were able to take that momentum into the bye week last week and are now hoping to pull off a second straight top-20 win.
South Carolina vs. Tennessee Pick, Best Bet
My best bet is on South Carolina to cover as short home favorites. The Gamecocks have shown flashes of being a great team all season, but have not been able to put it together over four quarters until their trip to Gainesville. That win should give them the confidence to keep the momentum going. South Carolina should also have an incredible crowd, as Williams-Brice Stadium is one of the most underrated home-field advantages in the country.
The way to beat the Gamecocks is by throwing over the top of the defense and hitting deep shots. That is how Alabama and Mississippi State were both able to score with ease. Florida has one of the best running backs in college football, but when the Gamecocks didn’t have to fear the deep passing game, they were able to load the box and stop the Florida rushing attack. The Tennessee offense profiles similarly, and South Carolina should be able to sell out to stop the run again.
George MacIntyre has done a good job for Tennessee, but this is his first tough road test since taking over. If the Gamecocks can stop the run and force MacIntyre to drop back and throw it with the crowd going crazy, he could end up making a few big mistakes. The Gamecocks should run the ball efficiently, as they have done all season, and control the game. They have the better quarterback, and LaNorris Sellers should will his team to a second straight big win.
