The Commodores of Vanderbilt (+1.5) are gearing up to welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks (-1.5) to Vanderbilt Stadium. Kickoff for this SEC showdown is set for 4:00 p.m. ET and SEC Network is scheduled to televise the action.
Betting Preview: South Carolina Gamecocks at Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt is entering this SEC game as the underdog and is currently being given 1.5 points. The Gamecocks are also receiving -120 moneyline odds while the Commodores are +100. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 53.5 points. If one side catches a lucky break early, it’ll likely produce a solid betting opportunity in-game.
This game’s line opened at 1, while the O/U hasn’t changed after it was set initially at 53.5.
The Gamecocks are 1-1 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 1.0 unit so far in 2018. The team’s posted an O/U record of 2-0.
The Commodores have gained 1.0 unit for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 3-0 ATS and own an O/U record of 0-3.
The Gamecocks are 1-1 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against SEC opponents. The Commodores are 2-1 SU overall and 0-0 SU in conference play.
When these two schools faced each other a year ago, South Carolina won by a touchdown 34-27.
The Gamecocks fell to Georgia 41-17 in a blowout where their defense allowed the Bulldogs to rush for 271 yards on 52 attempts, including three rush TDs. Mecole Hardman had a good day for the Bulldogs in that one with 30 rushing yards on one attempt. On the offensive side, Jake Bentley completed 30-of-47 passes for 269 yards, one score and two interceptions. Rico Dowdle (just 18 rushing yards on seven attempts) led the ground attack while Bryan Edwards (seven receptions, 111 yards, two TDs) and Deebo Samuel (six catches, 33 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
A week ago, Notre Dame got the win against this Vanderbilt team by a score of 22-17. The Commodores defense let the Fighting Irish run for 245 yards on 48 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Tony Jones Jr. had a good outing for Notre Dame, posting 118 rushing yards on 17 attempts, along with 56 yards and a score on two catches. For Vanderbilt, Kyle Shurmur completed 26-of-43 passes for 326 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Khari Blasingame (49 rushing yards on 13 attempts) and Ke’Shawn Vaughn (54 yards on 10 carries, one TD) spearheaded the running game while Kalija Lipscomb (11 receptions, 89 yards) and Jared Pinkney (five catches, 111 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
South Carolina has run the ball on 41.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Vanderbilt has an overall rush percentage of 52.5 percent. The Gamecocks have produced 158.5 rush yards per game and have two scores on the ground this year. The Commodores are putting up 156.0 rush yards per game and have six total rushing TDs.
The Gamecocks offensive scheme has averaged 288.0 yards through the air overall and has seven passing TDs so far. The Commodores have produced 255.3 pass yards per contest and have five total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, South Carolina has allowed 198.5 rush yards and 157.0 pass yards per game. The Vanderbilt D has allowed 176.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 131.7 yards per game to opposing runners. The Commodores are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 3.61 to opposing QBs, while the Gamecocks have allowed a 6.57 ANY/A.
Offensively, Bentley has amassed 269 passing yards this season, and has completed 30-of-47 attempts with one scores through the air and two interceptions. He’s got a 4.08 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 6.63 over the last two outings.
In the other locker room, Kyle Shurmur has connected on 36-of-60 passes for 496 yards, three TDs and one INT. Shurmur’s ANY/A stands at 7.89 for the season and 7.76 over his last two games.
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Free Pick
SU Winner: South Carolina, ATS Winner: South Carolina, O/U: Under
