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Staff Picks: South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt, other Week 3 matchups

imageby: Jack Veltri2 hours agojacktveltri
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Nov 9, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores head coach Clark Lea congratulates South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Week 3 is here, and so is the start of conference play for South Carolina. The No. 11 Gamecocks will host Vanderbilt in their SEC opener on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium.

Kickoff is at 7:45 p.m. on 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: South Carolina hasn’t lost to Vanderbilt since 2008. While I knock on wood, I’ll assume that streak lasts at least another year. As good as Diego Pavia is, are the ‘Dores good enough on defense to match up with LaNorris Sellers? I know the Gamecocks’ offense has struggled through two games, but it’s bound to click soon. South Carolina 27, Vanderbilt 17.

Elijah Campbell: This game will be won in the trenches and at the end of the day, I don’t see Vanderbilt having what it takes to keep Dylan Stewart and Brian Thomas Jr. out of the backfield. I think we something similar to last year’s game in Nashville where it may take Carolina’s offense a drive or two to figure things out but will make enough plays to help their defense close things out in a rockin’ Willy-B environment. South Carolina 24, Vanderbilt 14.

Chris Clark: South Carolina’s offense comes to life and the defense makes enough plays to slow Diego Pavia. The Gamecocks get a win in a packed Williams-Brice Stadium environment. South Carolina 30, Vanderbilt 27.

Terry Ford: I think this will be the week LaNorris Sellers, the O-Line and the offense  as a whole steps up. My hope is that Sellers will get back to being the running and passing game-wrecker he was at the end of last year. The Gamecocks D is the best Vandy has faced all year. First down will be big for the Carolina defense. If they can force the Commodores into 2nd and 3rd and long South Carolina can unleash Dylan Stewart and Bryan Thomas Jr off the edge against the Vandy tackles who struggle in pass protection. South Carolina 26, Vanderbilt 20.

Griffin Goodwyn: A number of Vanderbilt players, most notably quarterback Diego Pavia, have circled this game on their calendars. This Commodores team will be hungry and looking for revenge after last year’s “three-phase ass kicking” (in the words of head coach Clark Lea). But if the last 16 years of the two teams’ all-time series is any indication, the Gamecocks will still come out on top, even if it’s a close one at Williams-Brice Stadium. South Carolina 27, Vanderbilt 20.

Tyler Head: This is SC’s first big test of the season. Vandy’s offense specializes in ball control so when SC has the ball they’ve got to make it count. I’m hopeful the offensive issues will be ironed out a big more and the Gamecocks can hold off a scrappy Vandy squad. I think this is a four-quarter fight, but SC’s defense does just enough to make the difference. South Carolina 23, Vanderbilt 20.

Mingo Martin: Saturday left me in a weird spot where I just can’t get a read on where Shane Beamer’s South Carolina is. These next three weeks will tell us what this team will be. However, I think they’ll pull this one out. South Carolina 17, Vanderbilt 14.

Kevin Miller: Vanderbilt enters this weekend extremely confident that it can break a 16-game losing streak to South Carolina. From victory guarantees to dates circled on calendars, this game appears to be one the Commodores have been waiting on since this winter. Ultimately, though, none of that matters once toe meets leather. The Gamecocks have to get something going on offense (while still avoiding turnovers) to move the streak to 17 games, but if that happens, I think the home team could cruise to a somewhat comfortable victory. Much like the 2024 edition of this SEC matchup, I think the Carolina defense will do a good job containing the Vandy offense. South Carolina 24, Vanderbilt 13.

Wes Mitchell: This year’s Vanderbilt team seems even better than last year’s special group, but I’m not sure we still know a ton about either of these teams yet. The streak will have to end eventually, but it’s hard to pick against the Gamecocks at home at night when they’ve won 16 straight over the Commodores. South Carolina 24, Vanderbilt 20.

Jay Philips: There have been a few times in my career when I’ve been genuinely concerned by a Vanderbilt team playing Carolina, and in each one the Gamecocks won comfortably. That also means in the rare instances when Vandy has won this game I saw no reason for worry. This year I’m concerned again. The Commodores just dominated Virginia Tech even more than Carolina did, and the game was in Blacksburg. Vandy was balanced on offense, stifling on defense (at least after halftime) and start SEC playing feeling very good about themselves. We can’t say the same for Carolina, who despite being 2-0 still feel like a work in progress. I expect the Gamecocks to take the needed steps this week and win this game, but if they don’t then WB will be uncomfortable Saturday night. Will Carolina be ready? To paraphrase the head coach, they better be. I’ll take the Gamecocks. South Carolina 27, Vanderbilt 20.

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Kendall Smith: Jack and I were talking about how important this game is— not only because it’s the next game on the schedule, but because starting out this unbelievably tough SEC schedule with a win is extremely important for South Carolina. I want to see a bit more from the offense, and if we do, I think this is South Carolina’s game. South Carolina 24, Vanderbilt 17. 

Mike Uva: The play of South Carolina’s defense and special teams has helped produce four non-offensive touchdowns through the first two weeks of the season. While that’s not sustainable for any team, what it shows is that there hasn’t been a drop-off from those two units. If the offense can generate more consistency, I can’t see Vanderbilt being able to score a ton of points. South Carolina 27, Vanderbilt 17.

Jack Veltri: At the beginning of the week, I was leaning towards picking Vanderbilt. The way the Commodores played in the second half against Virginia Tech was scary good. If they play like that for four quarters on Saturday, they will beat South Carolina. However, despite South Carolina’s offensive struggles, I think this is the week where things start to click. It’s time for Mike Shula to let LaNorris Sellers cook. If he does, good things should happen. I trust this defense to do its job. South Carolina 21, Vanderbilt 17.

Chris Wellbaum: I’m counting on (or hoping) the sluggish SC State game being a wakeup call for the Gamecocks. This game wasn’t close last season, and I don’t think the gap has closed enough to change the outcome, especially at home. South Carolina 23, Vanderbilt 14.

Clemson at Georgia TechWisconsin at AlabamaGeorgia at TennesseePittsburgh at West VirginiaSouth Florida at Miami (FL)Texas A&M at Notre DameFlorida at LSUMinnesota at California
George Bagwell (22-7)Georgia TechAlabamaGeorgiaPittsburghMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUCalifornia
Elijah Campbell (18-11)ClemsonAlabamaGeorgiaPittsburghMiami (FL)Texas A&MLSUMinnesota
Chris Clark (16-13)ClemsonAlabamaGeorgiaWest VirginiaMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUMinnesota
Terry Ford (16-13)ClemsonAlabamaGeorgiaPittsburghMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUMinnesota
Griffin Goodwyn (17-12)Georgia TechAlabamaGeorgiaPittsburghMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUCalifornia
Tyler Head (20-9)ClemsonAlabamaGeorgiaPittsburghMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUMinnesota
Mingo Martin (16-13)Georgia TechAlabamaGeorgiaPittsburghMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUMinnesota
Kevin Miller (17-12)ClemsonAlabamaGeorgiaPittsburghMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUMinnesota
Wes Mitchell (19-10)ClemsonAlabamaTennesseePittsburghMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUMinnesota
Jay Philips (16-13)ClemsonAlabamaGeorgiaPittsburghMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUCalifornia
Kendall Smith (21-8)ClemsonAlabamaTennesseePittsburghMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUCalifornia
Mike Uva (20-9)Georgia TechAlabamaGeorgiaPittsburghMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUMinnesota
Jack Veltri (19-10)Georgia TechAlabamaTennesseePittsburghMiami (FL)Notre DameLSUCalifornia
Chris Wellbaum (18-11)ClemsonAlabamaGeorgiaPittsburghUSFNotre DameLSUCalifornia

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