South Carolina Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018

COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 23: Ty'Son Williams #27 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

South Carolina has the opportunity to start the season off with some home cooking. The Gamecocks will open the season with three straight home games for the first time in four years. First up is a visit from Coastal Carolina.

The Chanticleers have completed their transition to FBS. In 2016 they went 10-2 as a FCS independent but were ineligible for the FCS playoffs. Last season as a first year member of the Sun Belt conference, the Chanticleers had a rough season, finishing 3-9. But they were competitive in most games, including coming up a point short in a thriller at Arkansas.

While Coastal should improve overall this year and may even challenge for their first bowl bid, this should be a fairly easy victory for South Carolina. The Gamecocks hung 70 points on the Chanticleers back in 2013, but don’t expect that kind of blowout this time around. Will Muschamp’s offense will move the ball pretty well and the defense will stifle Coastal.

A couple scores in garbage time make the score closer, but this will be a comfortable victory to start the season.

Final: Coastal Carolina 17, South Carolina 37 (1-0)