North Carolina vs. South Carolina Week 1 Preview + Free Pick

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

Gamecocks Host Wolfpack Both Teams Seek Positive Start

While the South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6 SU, 5-6 ATS, 4-7 O/U) are at home as they host the visiting North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-7 SU, 5-6 ATS, 5-4-2 O/U) in this Week One NCAA college football matchup, both teams coming into this contest have a lot to prove after recording similarly mediocre records in 2007.



The Wolfpack went just 3-5 in ACC play last season, and failed to reach a Bowl game while putting up 334.9 yards of total offense and 20.7 points per game last season.

NC State also allowed a whopping 393.9 yards per game and 28.2 points per contest defensively and had a tough time rushing the ball, averaging just 89.2 yards per contest.

The team will have a young offensive line that will have grow up in a hurry heading into 2008 and need to improve defensively after fielding one of the worst rushing defenses in the nation last season, allowing a whopping 186.2 rushing yards per game.

North Carolina State also has big questions at quarterback and linebacker after quarterback Daniel Evans threw 12 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions last season and lost all three starting linebackers.

North Carolina also posted some uninspiring wagering statistics last season, going 2-4 ATS at home and 3-2 ATS on the road and 3-2-1 O/U at home 2-2-1 O/U on the road.

The Wolfpack will face a South Carolina team that is expecting big things despite going just 6-6 overall last season and a poor, 3-5 in SEC play and failed to reach a Bowl game as well under head coach Steve Spurrier.

The Gamecocks have a new defensive coordinator in Ellis Johnson and have made a few changes to help bolster a run defense that ranked last in the conference last season, allowing an enormous 209.3 yards per game. However, the Gamecocks figure to be better against the run in 2008 with the return of linebacker and team leader Casper Brinkley who missed last season with a knee injury.

South Carolina also has all four starters returning in their defensive secondary and should be better, particularly if the weak front seven from last season improves quickly.

Offensively, South Carolina has quite a few holes to fill, most notably at quarterback and running back. Chris Smelley has some starting experience but threw just nine touchdowns and seven interceptions last season and will play behind junior Tommy Beecher this season, though the team’s most gifted starter may be freshman Stephen Garcia, though he has some off-field issues.

At running back the Gamecocks will need to replace 2007 starter Cory Boyd, but do have one of the best kickers and punters in the nation in Ryan Succop which is a valuable asset.

The Gamecocks averaged 371.8 yard of total offense last season, including 258.1 passing yards per game, but allowed 378.8 yards per game defensively.

South Carolina also posted some uninspiring wagering statistics in 2007, going 3-3 ATS at home and 2-3 ATS on the road while also posting a 3-3 O/U mark at home and 1-4 O/U on the road.

Here is a look at some of the key trends for each team in this matchup.

The Wolfpack are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in August.
The Wolfpack are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games on grass.
The Gamecocks are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games.
The Gamecocks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. ACC.
The Under is 6-1-2 in Wolfpack last 9 non-conference games.
The Under is 5-1 in Wolfpack last 6 Thursday games.
The Under is 4-1 in Gamecocks last 5 vs. ACC.
The Over is 23-9 in Gamecocks last 32 home games.

NCAAF Odds

NC State +14½ -110
South Carolina -14½ -110

Over 45½ -110
Under 45½ -110

Analysis: While I’ll admit that I’m not particularly fond of the high point spread in this contest, I think the Gamecocks are going to cover the spread narrowly as I expect the Wolfpack to be much better later on in the regular season than they will be in this week one matchup. Take Steve Spurrier’s South Carolina Gamecocks to cover the spread by the skin of their collective teeth.

NFL Free Pick: South Carolina 31 NC State 14

Bet on the Battle of Carolina at Betus Sportsbook - Week 1 College Football Wagering Online!!!!