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Staff picks: South Carolina-SC State, other Week 5 games

On3 imageby: Collyn Taylor09/29/22collyntaylor

It might look and feel a little different, but South Carolina is just over 24 hours before kickoff against SC State.

The Gamecocks take on the Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Thursday night, and the GamecockCentral crew is here to pick the game plus a few other Week 5 highlights.

Chris Clark: I anticipate this game mirroring the Charlotte contest in some ways, in that South Carolina should be able to keep things simple offensively, run the football, and play things safe on that side of the ball. Everyone would feel better if the defense got off to a faster start than it has in 2022. There’s a substantial talent gap here, and as long as the Gamecocks don’t play an extraordinarily sloppy game, this one should not be in doubt. South Carolina 56, SC State 10.

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Terry Ford: The Gamecocks continue to find success against a South Carolina State defense that gives up a ton of yards on the ground. South Carolina 48, SC State 13.

Pearson Fowler: Very similar to Charlotte but Carolina’s defense gets off the field early, and Carolina has its back-ups in earlier in the game than Charlotte. South Carolina 52, SC State 13.

Joe Macheca: Business as usual for the Gamecocks. SC State gets two touchdowns as the starters begin to rotate out. South Carolina gets through the gameplan and gets a much needed weekend off before Kentucky. South Carolina 45, SC State 14.

Wes Mitchell: With a short week, I don’t expect there will be too many major changes to the game plan for either team from week to week but Carolina should be able to once again control the game up front. I have them winning in a somewhat business-like performance over the in-state Bulldogs. South Carolina 49, SC State 13.

Jay Phillips: I expect SC to run well and keep gaining confidence in who they are. I hate the use of the word “simplify” when it comes to offense, but in this case it’s what they need to do. Forcing defenses to be genuinely concerned by Lloyd, CBS and company will only end up helping Rattler and his receiving corps. South Carolina 38, SC State 7.

Michael Sauls: Buddy Pugh and SC State won’t come into Williams-Brice and lay down easily but that doesn’t mean that’ll be a close game. ESPN gives SC State a 1.9 percent of winning, so I think that’s all we need to really say about this one. Everyone should leave happy though, the Gamecocks get an easy win and the Bulldogs leave with a nice paycheck. Also, I predict that Colten Gauthier will get at least one snap in this game. South Carolina 60, SC State 10. 

Kendall Smith: I’d expect South Carolina to go into this game against SC State with a similar plan as they did Charlotte. I think MarShawn Lloyd will continue to get a lot of touches, and SC State’s defense won’t be able to hold up for long. South Carolina 45, SC State 10.

Collyn Taylor: South Carolina is bigger, faster and stronger. The short week might mean a bit of a sluggish start, but the Gamecocks should win and win comfortably. The Gamecocks will run the ball a ton and have a similar approach offensively. They should be able to get some interceptions and stops quicker. South Carolina 45, SC State 7.

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Mike Uva: With a quick turnaround, expect the Gamecocks to stick with the run game in hopes to get out of this game quickly and healthy. While I don’t believe Spencer Rattler will need to throw the football over 35 times, he’ll throw for two touchdown passes while the rushing attack complies over 200 yards in the win. South Carolina 41, SC State 14.

Jack Veltri: Rain or shine, I expect the Gamecocks to be ready to rock and roll on Thursday night. I fully believe having some adversity thrown in will serve the team well in the long run. With the offense’s confidence being boosted after last Saturday’s 56-point performance, I think we’ll see another big showing against SC State. If the Gamecocks are firing on all cylinders, this makes next week’s matchup with Kentucky all the more enticing. South Carolina 49, SC State 3. 

PickerWashington at UCLA (Friday)Michigan at IowaKentucky at Ole MissWake Forest at Florida StateOklahoma State at BaylorAlabama at ArkansasNC State at ClemsonTexas Tech at Kansas State
Chris Clark (26-10)WashingtonMichiganOle MissFlorida StateOklahoma StateAlabamaClemsonTexas Tech
Terry Ford (25-11)UCLAMichiganOle MissFlorida StateBaylorAlabamaClemsonKansas State
Pearson Fowler (21-15)WashingtonMichiganOle MissWake ForestBaylorAlabamaNC StateKansas State
Joe Macheca (26-10)WashingtonMichiganKentuckyWake ForestOklahoma StateAlabamaClemsonTexas Tech
Wes Mitchell (23-13)WashingtonMichiganOle MissFlorida StateOklahoma StateAlabamaNC StateKansas State
Jay Phillips (22-14)WashingtonMichiganKentuckyWake ForestBaylorAlabamaClemsonKansas State
Michael Sauls (23-13)WashingtonMichiganKentuckyWake ForestOklahoma StateAlabamaNC StateTexas Tech
Kendall Smith (20-16)WashingtonIowaOle MissWake ForestBaylorAlabamaNC StateTexas Tech
Collyn Taylor (22-14)WashingtonMichiganOle MissWake ForestOklahoma StateAlabamaClemsonKansas State
Mike Uva (27-9)WashingtonMichiganKentuckyWake ForestBaylorAlabamaNC StateKansas State
Jack Veltri (23-13)UCLAMichiganOle MissWake ForestOklahoma StateAlabamaNC StateKansas State

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