First look: Top storylines, betting odds for South Carolina vs. Arkansas football
South Carolina will see a once-familiar SEC West foe on Saturday in a cross-division matchup.
The Gamecocks (1-0) will take on the No. 19 Arkansas Razorbacks (1-0). USC won its home opener against Georgia State 35-14, thanks in large part to two blocked punts returned for touchdowns. Arkansas defeated Cincinnati 31-24 at home.
Arkansas and South Carolina came into the SEC together and played each other annually from 1992 to 2013. The Razorbacks are 13-10 all-time in the series, with USC winning each of the last three games.
Saturday’s game will kick off in the morning for both teams local time, starting at noon Eastern time.
South Carolina vs. Arkansas game, stream info
Who: South Carolina (1-0) vs No. 19 Arkansas (1-0)
Where: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.
When: Noon Saturday (Eastern time)
TV: ESPN
Stream: via WatchESPN app
USC vs Arkansas betting line
Arkansas opened as a 9.5-point favorite, according to VegasInsider.com. The line has since moved some in South Carolina’s favor, with the Razorbacks and 7.5-point favorite.
First road game for the Gamecocks
South Carolina’s home-field advantage will be absent Saturday as the team travels to Fayetteville. The fan base won’t be the only thing that makes the setting different, as the game will begin at 11 a.m. Arkansas time — a big change from the 7:30 p.m. kickoff against Georgia State.
The road trip is brief for South Carolina, as the team returns home afterward to play three straight games in Columbia.
In 2021, USC was 1-4 in its road games. Arkansas went 6-1 at home.
Razorbacks rushing attack
Arkansas racked up 224 rushing yards in its win against Cincinnati. The ground attack was led by Raheim Sanders, who accounted for 117 of those yards — a career high for him. Quarterback KJ Jefferson, the team’s leading rusher from last year, added 62 yards. Sanders and Jefferson combined for 38 carries.
South Carolina struggled a bit against the run last season, allowing 178.9 yards per game. Despite allowing 200 yards on the ground against Georgia State, USC contained the run in crucial moments of the game.
Controlling the clock must be a point of emphasis for the Gamecocks. USC finished with just 79 rushing yards against the Panthers. If the team can’t stop the Razorbacks in the backfield, it’ll keep USC’s offense off the field and make it harder for Spencer Rattler’s group to establish a rhythm.
Last time they played
The Gamecocks last played Arkansas in 2017, winning 48-22 in Columbia. Both teams played under different head coaches at the time, with Will Muschamp leading USC and Bret Bielema at the helm in Fayetteville.
USC finished 2017 with a 9-4 record, and the Razorbacks went 4-8.
Gamecocks and Razorbacks players to watch
Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina: Rattler’s first game with USC was better than the numbers indicated, with two interceptions and one touchdown thrown. The team as a whole struggled to move the ball down the field throughout the game, but showed that it could string together drives at times. It will be worth watching how Rattler performs against Arkansas after a game with his new targets.
Jalen Brooks, WR, South Carolina: Brooks delivered some of South Carolina’s best plays against Georgia State, finishing with a team-high 88 receiving yards. His chemistry with Rattler helped the team in a game where advancing the ball proved challenging. A player with just 25 total catches in the previous two seasons, the game against the Razorbacks could give more insight on how often the Gamecocks will utilize Brooks this season.
Raheim Sanders, RB, Arkansas: The Razorbacks leaned on Sanders’ productivity in the backfield in their opener, and he delivered 117 rushing yards. He was effective in space and helped Arkansas mix up its offensive packages. His effectiveness could dictate the outcome of the game if South Carolina can’t adjust to the running attack from him and KJ Jefferson.
KJ Jefferson, QB, Arkansas: Jefferson’s dual-threat abilities were on full display against Cincinnati, as he totaled 285 yards of offense and four touchdowns. Jefferson also takes care of the football, throwing just four interceptions in all of 2021. The secondary is the strongest aspect of USC’s defense, so Jefferson’s performance is crucial to the Razorbacks’ hopes to protect their home field.
This story was originally published September 5, 2022 at 7:01 AM.
