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Staff picks: South Carolina-Texas A&M, other Week 8 highlights

On3 imageby: Collyn Taylor10/21/22collyntaylor
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Brad Johnson (Photo by Chris Gillespie)

South Carolina is back off a bye and staff picks are back.

The Gamecocks head into a massive game against Texas A&M (7:30 p.m., SEC Network). A win could go a long way toward a seven or potentially eight-win season for South Carolina.

Here’s how the GamecockCentral and 107.5 FM staffs think this game–along with some other interesting Week 8 matchups–go.

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Chris Clark: This is a game in which points should be at a premium, and it will likely come down to which team just makes one or two more big plays. I believe A&M makes a few more mistakes and South Carolina capitalizes to score its first victory over A&M in this series. South Carolina 24, Texas A&M 20.

Terry Ford: The Gamecocks’ special teams are No. 2 in efficiency. The Aggies special teams are 81st. That will be the difference in the game. The Carolina special teams will make a game-changing play and Mitch Jeter will make a big kick. South Carolina 20, Texas A&M 18.

Pearson Fowler: The difference in this game, a “spider-pointing-at-spiderman-meme” game between two teams with feature running backs, QBs searching for consistency, and statistically porous defenses, will be South Carolina’s special teams. Not only has A&M’s offense been consistently worse than South Carolina’s statistically, but also the Aggies have needed short field off turnovers or special teams plays to generate their paltry point totals. The Gamecocks are elite in every facet of special teams and won’t give the Aggies any short fields, holding them under 20 for the upset win. South Carolina 24, Texas A&M 17.

Joe Macheca: South Carolina loses to Texas A&M. The Gamecocks start slow and fail to build enough momentum in the second half to get to glory. Texas A&M 27, South Carolina 21.

Wes Mitchell: It feels like South Carolina is building momentum but even though this isn’t the same Texas A&M team from the last couple of seasons, it’s still hard to pick the Gamecocks against a team that has won convincingly each of the last three seasons. It feels like a 23-17-type game but I’ve been back and forth on who is going to have the 23. The teams are incredibly similar with this one likely coming down to turnovers and red zone play. Give me the Aggies. Texas A&M 23, South Carolina 17.

Jay Phillips: If nothing else Carolina has shown that the offense can now build upon what Marshawn Lloyd is doing. His 24 touches at UK were a big deal, and if that type of usage continues it will alter how the Gamecocks are defended. Not saying it gets easier, but it should allow Spencer Rattler some different looks through the air. Scoring early is still crucial, as is the improved health of the defense. Both SC and A&M struggle to score in bunches against conference teams, and I expect that to continue. Carolina finally shakes this losing streak in a festive Williams-Brice. South Carolina 27, Texas A&M 20.

Michael Sauls: I think South Carolina has a legit shot at beating Texas A&M but the Aggies will get it done with a last-minute touchdown. The Gamecocks looked improved on both sides of the ball against Kentucky and I think they’ll ride that momentum into a matchup that has turned into a “prove it” game for both teams. That being said, this game gives off similar vibes to the Florida game in 2019 where there were high expectations but South Carolina ultimately lost. I just have a gut feeling that’s how this one will play out. Texas A&M 35, South Carolina 28.

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Kendall Smith: I think South Carolina will win this weekend. Blame it on the lack of a QB identity for A&M, or the fact that South Carolina is the most confident they’ve been all season after a big road win at Kentucky, but sometimes you just have to go with your gut, and that’s what I am going to do. I think Rattler will have a great game, and South Carolina will continue with their special teams trickery to boost them to a huge win this weekend. It will be close though, Texas A&M has a solid defense, but I’m taking the Gamecocks. South Carolina 24, Texas A&M 17.

Collyn Taylor: Listen, I’ll say I think South Carolina wins this game. There’s just too much going the Gamecocks’ way right now. But I’m a man of my word. I told folks before the year I won’t pick South Carolina in an official capacity to beat the Aggies until it happens. So I have to pick Texas A&M. Devon Achane is a real menace in the run game and the Gamecocks are going against a good defense. Texas A&M 25, South Carolina 24.

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Mike Uva: With a week to not only get healthier but a week to move past their big win against Kentucky, South Carolina is gonna come out ready to play. It all starts with the run game. Run the ball, play actions, and RPOs will help open up the passing lanes. For the first time in history the coveted–I can’t even say that with a straight face–the coveted Bonham Trophy will be staying in Columbia. South Carolina 34, Texas A&M 24.

Jack Veltri: Texas A&M has had South Carolina’s number ever since its first meeting eight years ago. That said, this year feels different. The Gamecocks are riding high with three straight wins while I feel the Aggies are one bad loss away from the wheels falling off. In front of an electric crowd, I expect South Carolina to get over the hump and continue to prove people wrong. South Carolina 35, Texas A&M 31. 

PickerUCLA at OregonOle Miss at LSUKansas State at TCUPurdue at WisconsinSyracuse at ClemsonMississippi State at AlabamaCincinnati at SMUUAB at Western Kentucky
Chris Clark (42-20)OregonOle MissTCUPurdueSyracuseAlabamaSMUWestern Kentucky
Terry Ford (41-21)OregonOle MissKansas StateWisconsinClemsonAlabamaCincinnatiWestern Kentucky
Pearson Fowler (37-25)UCLAOle MissTCUPurdueSyracuseAlabamaSMUWestern Kentucky
Joe Macheca (41-21)UCLAOle MissTCUPurdueClemsonAlabamaCincinnatiWestern Kentucky
Wes Mitchell (40-22)OregonLSUTCUPurdueClemsonAlabamaCincinnatiWestern Kentucky
Jay Phillips (37-25)OregonLSUTCUWisconsinClemsonAlabamaCincinnatiWestern Kentucky
Michael Sauls (37-25)UCLAOle MissTCUPurdueClemsonAlabamaCincinnatiWestern Kentucky
Kendall Smith (35-27)UCLAOle MissTCUWisconsinClemsonAlabamaCincinnatiWestern Kentucky
Collyn Taylor (41-21)OregonLSUKansas StatePurdueClemsonAlabamaSMUUAB
Mike Uva (43-19)OregonOle MissTCUPurdueClemsonAlabamaCincinnatiWestern Kentucky
Jack Veltri (40-22)OregonOle MissTCUPurdueClemsonAlabamaCincinnatiUAB

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