National predictions ahead of South Carolina-Texas A&M

This Saturday, South Carolina (3-6; 1-6) will be on the road. Shane Beamer’s team will take on the No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies (9-0; 6-0) on Saturday. Last year’s matchup was one of USC’s best games of the year, a 44-20 victory at Williams-Brice Stadium.

South Carolina enters game ten coming off four losses in a row to top-15 teams. Mike Elko’s Aggies enter with an unblemished record and are nearly a lock for the College Football Playoff. According to quarterback Marcel Reed, A&M would also like some revenge after last season’s game.

Despite being a top-10 team earlier this season, South Carolina has fallen completely out of the top 25 voting in recent weeks. Texas A&M has earned spots in the top 25 all year and has pushed as high as No. 3 in the polls this week. The AP top 25, coaches poll, and College Football Playoff Rankings agree on the Aggies at No. 3.

Saturday’s contest is the final of a stretch of five tough games for the Gamecocks. Carolina will take on their fifth top-15 opponent in a row before home contests against Coastal Carolina and Clemson.

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As expected based on how the 2025 season has gone, national opinions on this game side with the Aggies.

Texas A&M is a 19.5-point favorite, according to BetMGM. That number has gone up from the opening line. The over/under is 48.5, implying a 34-14.5 final score in favor of the home team.

Based on ESPN’s FPI Matchup Predictor, South Carolina has just a 14.7% chance to pull the upset. The ESPN SP+ model is even lower on the Gamecocks’ odds, pushing them down to just 9%. The analytics projection lists 36-15 as the most likely final outcome, meaning it predicts Texas A&M to win and cover en route to the “over” hitting for the total points.

On3 partner Josh Pate said that he’s predicting Texas A&M to lose a game down the stretch. However, he said he thinks the Texas game is more likely, implying that he doesn’t like South Carolina this weekend.

ESPN’s Greg McElroy doesn’t like the Gamecocks’ chances, either. He said, “[South Carolina] better hope the home crowd’s a little underwhelming at 11 a.m. local time.” The former Alabama quarterback said that USC has a puncher’s chance because of interim playcaller Mike Furrey, as no one knows what to expect from the Carolina offense.

The Southeastern 16 crew of Chris Lee, Chase Robinson, and Jay Greeson all picked Texas A&M. They pointed out the unfortunate combination of South Carolina being one of the most-sacked teams in the country and Texas A&M’s status as one of the best pass rushing groups. Greeson said Saturday will be “a long afternoon in College Station” and picked “A&M by a truckload.” Robinson and Lee then echoed his sentiments.

CBS Sports’ Chip Patterson, during a television appearance, argued that he believes South Carolina “ain’t sniffing competition” on Saturday, much like Texas A&M’s recent lopsided wins over Missouri and LSU.

Action Network’s Collin Wilson also went for a Texas A&M cover in his weekly picks.

College Football News’ Pete Fiutak picked Texas A&M to win, 34-14, a margin that would equal a slim cover for the Aggies. He said that South Carolina’s avenue to a potential upset must involve LaNorris Sellers doing “that future NFL superstar thing.”

Fox Sports’ AI pick (yes, that is artificial intelligence) picked the Aggies to win and cover the spread, 38-13.

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If the national predictions hold, South Carolina would drop to 3-7 on the season and 1-7 in the SEC. That would push the Gamecocks out of bowl consideration, barring the occasional 5-7 invitation.

Saturday’s showdown in College Station will begin at noon (Eastern). ESPN will handle the television broadcast, while the ESPN app makes it available via streaming.

The Insiders Forum: Discuss South Carolina football!