First look at South Carolina-Vanderbilt: Betting odds, TV details, more
This week just means more.
After a 2-0 start for No. 11 South Carolina football featuring a neutral-site win against Virginia Tech and a $500,000 beatdown of S.C. State, the real barometer of the Gamecocks’ 2025 outlook has arrived: the SEC opener against Vanderbilt.
Both teams are trying to take strides in conference play this year and will have to go through each other to start on the right foot. Here’s what you need to know:
How to watch South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt
When: Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:45 p.m.
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium
TV/stream: SEC Network and the ESPN app
Series history: USC is 30-4 against the Commodores since the first matchup in 1961. The two teams have played every year since 1992. Vanderbilt’s last win came in 2008, when it took down the Gamecocks 24-17 in Nashville.
Betting odds
USC is a 7.5-point favorite over Vandy, according to the VegasInsider line that factors in multiple sportsbooks. The over/under is set at 54.5 points.
About South Carolina
The Gamecocks are 2-0 after opening the season with a 24-11 win against Virginia Tech in Atlanta and returning home for a 38-10 win against S.C. State. The Gamecocks didn’t score an offensive touchdown in the first half against the Bulldogs, but stayed afloat thanks to special teams scoring. USC was ranked 11th in the most recent Associated Press Top 25. The Gamecocks defeated Vanderbilt 28-7 on the road last season.
About Vanderbilt
The Commodores opened up the year with a 45-3 win against Charleston Southern before heading up to Blacksburg, Virginia for a 44-20 win against the Hokies. Vanderbilt trailed 17-10 early before putting up 34 unanswered points in the second half and improved to 2-0. Vanderbilt is coming off a 7-6 season, including a 35-27 win against Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl. The Commodores are led by fifth-year coach Clark Lea and graduate quarterback Diego Pavia — and the QB has already declared this a must-win game. Vanderbilt is seeking its first victory against South Carolina since 2008.
Players to watch: Gamecocks and Commodores
South Carolina
Vicari Swain, DB: A defensive back, yes, but Vicari Swain gets the nod this week for his work on special teams. He scored his second and third punt return touchdowns of the season against S.C. State. His first went for 64 yards. The second came after a blocked punt by David Bucey that counted for a 43-yard return. Swain is now tied for the most punt return touchdowns in a single season by a USC player. Dick Harris brought back three himself in 1971.
Dylan Stewart, edge rusher: Also chasing a spot in the USC record book is Dylan Stewart. The sophomore pass rusher recorded his second sack of the year against the Bulldogs. He’s 11 away from tying Jadeveon Clowney’s single-season record from 2012. He’ll take on a Vanderbilt offensive line that’s allowed just one sack this season.
Vanderbilt
Diego Pavia, QB: Pavia is entering his second year as the Commodores’ starter following a 2,293-yard, 20-touchdown season with four interceptions. He’s put up 463 yards and five touchdowns with one pick so far in 2025. He threw for 166 yards and zero scores against South Carolina last season.
Nick Rinaldi, LB: Rinaldi was a swarming presence for the Vanderbilt defense against Virginia Tech. He didn’t record a snap in the game against Charleston Southern. The senior recorded six tackles agains the Hokies, including four solo tackles and a sack. A former walk-on, Rinaldi led the team with six sacks a season ago. Against the Gamecocks in 2024, Rinaldi totaled two tackles and zero sacks.
South Carolina 2025 football schedule
- Aug. 31: USC 24, Virginia Tech 11
- Sept. 6: USC 38, SC State 10
- Sept. 13 vs. Vanderbilt, 7 or 7:45 pm (ESPN or SEC Network)
- Sept. 20 at Missouri - TBD
- Sept. 27 vs. Kentucky - TBD
- Oct. 11 at No. 9 LSU - TBD
- Oct. 18 vs. No. 18 Oklahoma - TBD
- Oct. 25 vs. No. 8 Alabama - TBD
- Nov. 1 at No. 21 Ole Miss - TBD
- Nov. 15 at No. 19 Texas A&M - TBD
- Nov. 22 vs. Coastal Carolina - TBD
- Nov. 29 vs. No. 4 Clemson - Noon (ABC or ESPN)
This story was originally published September 8, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
