South Carolina Should Handle North Carolina State in Week One Football Action

South Carolina vs. North Carolina State
Thursday, Aug. 28
Line: SC -550, -12, 47.5

We get our first ACC vs SEC matchup of the season in Week One. South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier may have his most talented team yet in Columbia with 10 starters returning on defense. NC State looks to build off the second half of 2007, when they won four of their final six.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

1. New QBs, New Results?

Both teams will feature new starting quarterbacks. South Carolina will have Tommy Beecher and NC State will have redshirt freshman Russell Wilson. Beecher has more experience than Wilson, so expect Beecher to make fewer mistakes. If both struggle, the Gamecocks have better backups.

2. Defensive Leaders

A Spurrier team led by its defense? Sounds kind of odd, but with 10 returning starters from last year, South Carolina's defense will likely help out the offense early on. A weakness from last year was stopping the run, so look to see how improved the rush defense is for a good measuring stick of the overall defense.

3. QB Contain

Don't expect Beecher to run much, but a big reason why State coach Tom O'Brien chose Wilson at quarterback was because of his dual-threat ability. The young Wilson may get some happy feet in the pocket and take off a little early until he gets comfortable. South Carolina must make sure to keep an eye on the redshirt freshman.

PREDICTION:

Spurrier has been trying to keep expectations down this year, but many are calling this his best team yet. I like O'Brien as a coach, but he still has a ways to go in his rebuilding efforts at State. South Carolina busts this game open in the second half.

South Carolina 28, NC State 14
South Carolina Wins, Covers, Under