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Staff Picks: South Carolina vs. SC State, other Week 2 matchups

imageby: Jack Veltri09/06/25jacktveltri
Untitled design - 2025-09-05T100641.266
Williams-Brice Stadium (Katie Dugan/GamecockCentral)

South Carolina is set to return to Williams-Brice Stadium for its home opener under the lights. The Gamecocks, fresh off a 24-11 win over Virginia Tech, will take on SC State on Saturday.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. with the game being streamed on ESPN+ and SEC Network+.

Here’s how the GamecockCentral and 107.5 The Game staff sees this game going, plus a few predictions on other key matchups this weekend.

George Bagwell: I want to use this space to shout out the South Carolina State football program and head coach Chennis Berry. What a job he’s done in the Midlands, starting with Benedict right here in Columbia for a few years. And if y’all are going to the game, make sure to get a listen to the SC State band. Always phenomenal. But on the field, South Carolina simply has the athletes and size that the Bulldogs do not. I expect to see Air Noland under center by the third quarter. South Carolina 54, SC State 10.

Elijah Campbell: The Gamecock defense absolutely flexed in Atlanta on Sunday and even with some injuries, I still expect them to overwhelm a South Carolina State team who struggled to take care of their many scoring opportunities against Wofford. Offense should be able to run the ball at will, explosive plays will be made and the Gamecocks will kick off another season at Williams-Brice Stadium in rather comfortable fashion. South Carolina 48, SC State 6.

Chris Clark: The Gamecocks are able to establish the run and hit some big plays in addition to limiting the Bulldogs’ passing-oriented attack on the way to a comfortable victory. South Carolina 48, SC State 10.

Terry Ford: This is a game to work on some areas like O-Line cohesion and to get EVERYBODY into the game…and leave it injury free. South Carolina 47, SC State 10.

Griffin Goodwyn: If you placed a stethoscope on the chest of any South Carolina fan this past Sunday, chances are their heart was beating much faster than normal. The Gamecocks and their faithful supporters will be looking for a much more stress-free affair against the lone FCS opponent on their schedule in 2025. With a rowdy crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium on their side, the home team should pull away by a wide margin. South Carolina 45, SC State 10.

Tyler Head: South Carolina had its ups and downs offensively in game 1, but the defense didn’t seem to skip a beat from last year. We all know what these games against FCS teams are about and I expect the Gamecocks to have little issue Saturday. Hopefully, we get to see a good amount of the younger talent late in the game. South Carolina 45, SC State 6.

Mingo Martin: I will always have love for the Bulldogs down in Orangeburg. From Coach Jeffries to Coach Buddy and now Coach Berry, I’ll always root for their success in the MEAC and the Celebration Bowl. I hope they enjoy their paycheck from this game and South Carolina can work on what needs to be fixed before SEC play next week. South Carolina 56, SC State 7.

Kevin Miller: South Carolina State won’t have any answers for their in-state big brothers. The Gamecocks should score early and often until Shane Beamer and Mike Shula call off the dogs. Defensively, Clayton White’s unit should have the opportunity to play a lot of guys. I expect a similar outcome to the 2022 contest that ended with a 40-point USC win. Look for Jawarn Howell to get a chance to showcase what he can do against his old team, as well. South Carolina 59, SC State 7.

Wes Mitchell: South Carolina should be able to open up the offense a little more this week and get more guys involved on that side. SC State didn’t do much on offense last week and struggled to run the football, so it’s hard to see them putting up a bunch of points this week. South Carolina 45, SC State 10.

Jay Philips: Games like this are always about the bigger school getting better, gaining confidence and allowing bench guys to see the field for meaningful snaps. For the Gamecocks I want to see them work on the offense, especially run game consistency and pass game timing and personnel use. Defensively it will be good to build depth. I love what SC State is about, and I think they are poised for a good season, but this one will be all USC. South Carolina 45, SC State 10.

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Kendall Smith: South Carolina is in Columbia this week for the 2025 home opener and they’re coming off a solid start to the season in ATL vs. VT. I think this is a week they can shore up some spots we felt like needed a little improvement after Week 1, but I also think it’s a week to keep the confidence rolling and win big. South Carolina, 38, SC State 9. 

Mike Uva: From Benedict now to SC State, Bulldogs head coach Chennis Berry has done a tremendous job of rebuilding programs wherever he’s been in this state. While I expect SC State to be scrappy at times, look for the Gamecocks to run away in this one. South Carolina 45, SC State 10.

Jack Veltri: I’ll spare you a long paragraph of details that the rest of the group has already filled you in on by this point in the story. South Carolina should win this game without much drama. The main thing is that they need to stay healthy. I’d like to see a lot of the young guys get in and do their thing. South Carolina 52, SC State 6.

Chris Wellbaum: The Bulldogs had an impressive Week 1 win over Wofford, but don’t overthink this. Go with the team with all the big, fast dudes to cruise. South Carolina 44, SC State 13.

Illinois at DukeIowa at Iowa StateKansas at MissouriOle Miss at KentuckyBoston College at Michigan StateVanderbilt at Virginia TechArizona State at Mississippi StateMichigan at OklahomaUCLA at UNLV
George Bagwell (14-5)IllinoisIowa StateKansasOle MissMichigan StateVanderbiltArizona StateOklahomaUNLV
Elijah Campbell (9-10)IllinoisIowa StateMissouriOle MissMichigan StateVirginia TechMississippi StateOklahomaUNLV
Chris Clark (9-10)IllinoisIowa StateMissouriOle MissMichigan StateVirginia TechArizona StateOklahomaUNLV
Terry Ford (10-9)IllinoisIowa StateMissouriOle MissBoston CollegeVirginia TechArizona StateOklahomaUCLA
Griffin Goodwyn (11-8)DukeIowa StateMissouriOle MissMichigan StateVirginia TechArizona StateOklahomaUCLA
Tyler Head (12-7)IllinoisIowa StateKansasOle MissMichigan StateVanderbiltArizona StateOklahomaUNLV
Mingo Martin (11-8)IllinoisIowa StateMissouriOle MissBoston CollegeVirginia TechArizona StateMichiganUCLA
Kevin Miller (10-9)IllinoisIowa StateMissouriOle MissMichigan StateVirginia TechArizona StateOklahomaUCLA
Wes Mitchell (12-7)IllinoisIowa StateMissouriOle MissMichigan StateVanderbiltArizona StateMichigan UCLA
Jay Philips (10-9)DukeIowa StateMissouriOle MissBoston CollegeVirginia TechArizona StateOklahomaUNLV
Kendall Smith (13-6)IllinoisIowa StateMissouriOle MissMichigan StateVanderbiltArizona StateOklahomaUCLA
Mike Uva (12-7)IllinoisIowa StateMissouriOle MissBoston CollegeVanderbiltArizona StateOklahomaUNLV
Jack Veltri (10-9)IllinoisIowa StateMissouriOle MissMichigan StateVanderbiltMississippi StateOklahomaUCLA
Chris Wellbaum (11-8)IllinoisIowa StateKansasOle MissMichigan StateVanderbiltArizona StatetSUN (❌ichigan)UNLV

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