South Carolina opens as early favorite in SEC opener vs. Vanderbilt

South Carolina is off to a 2-0 start in 2025 after Saturday’s 38-10 win over SC State. But now the competition will pick up as SEC play begins this upcoming weekend.

The No. 11 Gamecocks will welcome Vanderbilt in for its SEC opener at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday. According to BetMGM’s Sportsbook, South Carolina opens as a 6.5-point favorite to beat the Commodores, with the over/under for the game set at 47.5 points.

Vanderbilt, which is also 2-0 to start the season, is coming off an impressive road win in Blacksburg on Saturday. The ‘Dores, who trailed by 10 points at halftime, came from behind and scored 34 points in the second half to beat Virginia Tech 44-20.

South Carolina has also played the Hokies this year, beating them 24-11 in the season opener in Atlanta at the Aflac Kickoff Game on Aug. 31.

The Gamecocks have owned the series with Vanderbilt for several years now, winning the last 16 matchups. The last time they lost to the ‘Dores? Sept. 4, 2008, in a 24-17 loss on the road in Nashville.

During the last matchup between these two teams, South Carolina went into Nashville and came away with a 28-7 win in 2024. That victory helped the team reach bowl eligibility, as it would go on to win nine games.

LaNorris Sellers had a strong performance in that game, completing 14-of-20 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Gamecock defense did its job in keeping Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia in check as he went 16-for-31 passing for 166 yards and no touchdowns.

Pavia is back with the ‘Dores for one final season in 2025. He’s off to a nice start as he’s completed 74.4 percent of his passes for 468 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in two games.

Saturday’s kickoff between the Gamecocks and Vanderbilt will be at 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network.

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