South Carolina vs NC State: 3 things to watch in season opener

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COLUMBIA, SC – OCTOBER 29: Jake Bentley #4 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs with the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

South Carolina vs NC State is one of three SEC-ACC matchups during the Labor Day weekend and it looks to be one of the most interesting games of the slate.

Both the Gamecocks and the Wolfpack are sleeper picks in their division. The South Carolina Gamecocks have a better chance winning the wide open SEC East. While, the Wolfpack will be fighting an uphill battle for supremacy in the tough ACC Atlantic.

This game could be a great stepping stone for either coach at their school. Will Muschamp is in the second year of the Gamecock rebuild in Columbia, S.C. While Dave Doeren, is on the cusp of becoming a consistent team in the ACC in Raleigh, N.C.

Both coaches are one game under .500 at their respective school and their paths will meet in Charlotte, N.C., this Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. Which coach will get to .500?

Here are three things to watch during the South Carolina vs NC State game.

3. The Return of Skai Moore

If there is one player Gamecock fans are more excited to see other than Jake Bentley, it is senior linebacker Skai Moore. Sorry, Deebo Samuel.

The Gamecock defense sorely missed their leader on the field last year. Moore missed the whole 2016 season with a neck injury. The 2016 defense was not pretty to watch for most of the season. Last year, offenses could walk on the field and do exactly whatever they wanted to do against the Gamecocks. The defense gave up an average of over 200 yards through the air and on the ground.

In total defense, the Gamecocks gave up 26.5 points per game and over 400 yards of total offense. Things should change with a more experienced defense, but if you also add Skai Moore, the “Skai” is the limit.

Before his injury, he was on pace to be one of the best linebackers in South Carolina history. He either lead the team in tackles every year in Columbia. From 2013-2015, always improving and gaining more and more national recognition.

His best year being in 2015. That year he was top five in the SEC in total tackles, solo tackles, forced fumbles and interceptions. He was one of the most feared linebackers in the conference because of his power and his mobility. Watch during the game and during the rest of the season to see how Moore moves and how willing he is to fly around the field and hit any moving Wolfpack player.

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