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SEC Football Predictions Week 1: Picking Games Against the Spread

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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Sep 20, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks receiver Pharoh Cooper (11) runs for a first down during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. South Carolina won 48-34. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

  • Date: Thursday September 3, 2014
  • Time: 6PM Eastern
  • Location: Charlotte, NC
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Spread: South Carolina -3
  • Over/Under Total: 64

The South Carolina Gamecocks enter the 2015 season with a lot of unknowns. The team disappointed last season, finishing just 7-6 after a victory in the Independence Bowl, and it all started with a season opening blowout at home against Texas A&M. Because the defense was dreadful last year and the team returns only four starters from an explosive offense, expectations are modest in Columbia for 2015.

Believe it or not, the Tar Heels were even worse defensively last season than South Carolina was. UNC allowed an average of 39.0 points and 498 yards per game including 240 rushing (South Carolina allowed 30.4 points, 433 total yards and 212 rushing yards per game in 2014), which should give the Gamecocks’ offense some confidence heading into the nationally televised matchup.

To fix the gaping holes in the Tar Heel defense, head coach Larry Fedora brought in Gene Chizik as his new defensive coordinator. A former national championship head coach at Auburn, Chizik is familiar with South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier, having beaten the Gamecocks twice in 2010. Chizik will have the benefit of eight returning starters on defense, but hasn’t coached at all since 2012 and hasn’t been a defensive coordinator since 2006.

South Carolina sophomore quarterback Connor Mitch is perhaps the biggest question mark. The young signal caller will make his first career start Thursday night against a North Carolina squad coming off a similarly disappointing 6-7 campaign. Expect South Carolina to lean heavily on running backs Brandon Wilds and David Williams, and find creative ways to get the football into All-SEC wide receiver Pharoh Williams’ hands.

New Gamecocks defensive coordinator Jon Hoke also has eight starters back and though they will be far from perfect, his first Carolina unit should look much like the stingy defenses the Gamecocks are known for instead of the sieve of 2014. It’ll be close, and lower scoring than expected, but the Gamecocks should cover.

Next: WKU at Vanderbilt

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