NC State South Carolina Picks
August 27, 2008
South Carolina gets the fourth season of the Steve Spurrier era underway Thursday night as they play host to the NC State Wolfpack. NC State has had two straight losing seasons after a disappointing 5-7 year in 2007. The Wolfpack lost four of their first five games, but picked up some steam by winning four of their last six. South Carolina pulled the complete opposite, starting off with a 6-1 record before fading down the stretch and dropping five straight. Oddsmakers have opened up this game with South Carolina as a 14 point favorite and the total has been set at 45.
NC State hasn’t seemed to be able to get their offense on track ever since Phillip Rivers was draft by the Chargers, and that trend is likely to continue in 2008 as Tom O’Brien has decided to go with redshirt freshman Russell Wilson at quarterback. That isn’t the only fresh face on offense as Owen Spencer and Jarvis Williams will be the top two receiving threats, and they are only sophomores. It doesn’t get much better when you look at the ground game, with the top two tailbacks returning from a squad that only made it 89 yards down field each game via the rush.
On defense this team will be inexperienced, which may not be a bad thing since the Wolfpack allowed 28.3 ppg a year ago. Willie Young will be counted on heavily once again from the defensive end spot as he had six sacks in 2007. The three starting linebackers will have played very little or not at all, and the secondary is going to have to break in two new starting safeties. If you like NC State, then bet at JustBet to get a +14.5 point spread.
Steve Spurrier has been frustrated with the Gamecocks since he doesn’t have the talent that he did while at Florida. Tommy Beecher will be making his first start for South Carolina on Thursday night, but at least he will have one of the best pass catchers in the conference to throw to in Kenny McKinley. McKinley had 77 cataches a year ago and the senior will most likely end his career as South Carolina’s all-time leader. The key to South Carolina’s success this year will be the ground game, as it struggled to only 3.6 ypc last year. Four linemen return and tailback Mike Davis should help carry the load after getting the nod this year.
Last year South Carolina just couldn’t stop the run, as evidenced by the 200 ypg they gave up rushing. The defense does return ten starters who better hope that number improves drastically. Three returning starters on the defensive line should help, but the real key is the play of Eric Norwood at linebacker. Norwood had six sacks and 13.5 tackles for losses a year ago. The secondary is led by the hard hitting junior strong safety Emanuel Cook, who had 92 tackles in 2007.
I see the South Carolina Gamecocks coming out focuses and determined all season long. There won’t be any letdowns and if Spurrier is going to turn this program around, this is the year. NC State is just the first victim, but if you want to get more expert advice against the spread, then sign up for our college football picks.
Predicted Score:
South Carolina 29
NC State 15
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