First look: Top storylines, odds for South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt football game
South Carolina faces Vanderbilt on the road this week in need just one win to become bowl-eligible.
The Gamecocks have won the last 13 meetings against the Commodores. Vanderbilt has yet to win an SEC game this season.
USC lost its last game to Missouri 23-10. Vanderbilt is coming off its bye week, but the Commodores’ last game was also a lost to Mizzou (17-14).
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. VANDERBILT GAME INFO
Who: South Carolina Gamecocks (5-3, 2-3 SEC) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (3-5, 0-4 SEC)
Where: FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: SEC Network
Stream: via ESPN app
BETTING LINE
South Carolina is a 7-point favorite over Vanderbilt to start the week, according to the VegasInsider consensus line.
SOUTH CAROLINA LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK
South Carolina scored just 10 points in the loss to Missouri. The team crossed the 50-yard line three times in its 11 drives.
The team entered the game as the No. 25 team in the nation but got off to a poor start. The Gamecocks fell behind 17-0 before scoring late in the second quarter.
Offense was a struggle with 203 total yards. The defense improved in the second half, but the Gamecocks were unable to claw their way back from the early hole.
South Carolina didn’t get the same lift it got from the special teams unit in the wins against Kentucky and Texas A&M. Big plays in those contests helped the Gamecocks get out to quick leads, but the team couldn’t generate anything in that area while the offense struggled to get going.
BACK ON THE ROAD
USC won four games before Saturday’s loss and will take on a struggling Commodores team this week, USC’s third road trip.
South Carolina beat Kentucky earlier this month for Shane Beamer’s first SEC road win and the second road win of his career.
Vanderbilt is 1-2 at home, losing one of those to SEC foe Ole Miss. It has won twice at home in the last 13 games in Nashville.
The Gamecocks haven’t lost to the hosting Commodores since 2008.
COMMODORES WINLESS IN SEC
Vanderbilt and head coach Clark Lea are still searching for the team’s first win against an SEC opponent.
The team came close against Missouri but lost by three. The other losses were lopsided, losing by 52, 24 and 55.
The Commodores have struggled on offense in conference play, averaging 11.3 points in those games. They’ve surrendered an average of 44.8 points in four SEC games, giving up more than 50 points three times.
Vanderbilt is last in the SEC East and the only team in the SEC without a conference win.
GAMECOCKS AND COMMODORES PLAYERS TO WATCH
Antwane Wells, WR, South Carolina: Wells has been one of Spencer Rattler’s go-to targets this year. He’s got three games this season with seven catches and leads the team with 37 receptions. Look for Wells to remain a reliable target for the Gamecocks.
Austin Stogner, TE, South Carolina: Stogner has gotten more looks in the last two games. He led the team in receiving yards against the Tigers and leads USC tight ends in catches. Stogner could continue to present himself as a safety valve for South Carolina’s offense.
Will Sheppard, WR, Vanderbilt: Sheppard leads Vanderbilt in catches, yards and touchdowns. His eight receiving touchdowns are the second-most in the SEC. The Commodores will likely look to Sheppard to test South Carolina’s strong secondary.
Ray Davis, RB, Vanderbilt: Davis puts up 70.5 rushing yards per game and has four scores on the ground this season. He struggled to get loose against Missouri, but has otherwise been a reliable asset for the Commodores.
This story was originally published October 31, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
