The South Carolina Gamecocks may not have Steve Spurrier on the sidelines anymore. But they’ll likely take to heart the winning ways their former head coach taught them. The Gamecocks beat Vanderbilt 19-10 in Week 7, their first game since Spurrier’s retirement from coaching.
South Carolina is coming off a bye week, one they may badly need ahead of their matchups against the Texas A&M Aggies. Texas A&M fell 23-3 against Ole Miss on Saturday in Week 8 and will be raring to get one in the win column come Saturday night.
Get some more of the upcoming games this week. Check out our complete previews for Ole Miss vs. Auburn and Notre Dame vs. Temple.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]South Carolina Gamecocks vs. Texas A&M Aggies Preview
Where: Kyle Field, Texas
When: Saturday, October 31, 12:00 PM ET
Line: South Carolina Gamecocks at Texas A&M Aggies – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN/ SEC Network
Betting on the South Carolina Gamecocks (3-4, 1-4 SEC)
South Carolina’s offense was rolling in their Week 7 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores. Wide receiver Pharoh Cooper caught seven passes for 160 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown; running back Brandon Wilds rushed for 119 yards on 24 carries; and Perry Orth threw for 272 yards with a touchdown. But the Orth-to-Cooper scoring pass was the only touchdown of the game.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Getting the passing game going behind Orth will be tough on the road against Texas A&M. The Aggies are one of the best teams in the SEC in passing defense, allowing just 191.4 yards per game. But they did show some holes in their defense in allowing Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly to throw for 241 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night.
Expect South Carolina to make a solid gameplan to utilize Orth’s arm, though. The Gamecocks have been tough opponents to beat after a week off; they’ve won 11 of their last 13 games after a bye since 2010. Speaking of gameplanning, the Gamecocks could be able to utilize Wilds’ strong legs to beat Texas A&M where it’s weakest. The Aggies are allowing about 200 yards rushing per game and a total of 10 rushing touchdowns.
Wilds has been a solid runner for the Gamecocks with 300 yards on 59 carries this season. But he’s yet to find the end zone. David Williams offers a nice change of pace with 299 yards on 45 carries. If the Gamecocks are to win this game, it’ll be through the ground.
On the other side of the ball, the Gamecocks will turn to linebacker Skai Moore to keep opposing offenses honest. Moore did it all against Vanderbilt; he had an interception, a sack, recovered a fumble, forced another fumble and led his team with 11 tackles. Meanwhile, defensive linemen Dante Sawyer and Marquavius Lewis should aid in the pass rush with 2.5 and two sacks respectively.
The Gamecocks are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games on the road.
Betting on the Texas A&M Aggies (5-2, 2-2 SEC)
Saturday marked two disappointing games in a row for the Texas A&M Aggies. After winning the first five games of the season, the Aggies were blown out by Alabama, 41-23, and Ole Miss, 23-3, in back-to-back weeks. Texas A&M may have a breather, though, taking on the lowly South Carolina at home Saturday afternoon.
Quarterback Kyle Allen had a horrible outing, completing 12 of 34 passes for a season-low 88 yards and an interception. He was replaced by Jake Hubenak early in the fourth with the game almost surely decided. Allen faces a pretty manageable South Carolina pass defense, which has allowed 214 yards passing per game this season (ninth in the SEC). Expect him to bounce back with a better effort at home.
Allen will need his wide receivers to step up after Week 8’s dud. Christian Kirk leads the team with 625 yards and four touchdowns on 41 catches, but caught just two passes for 16 yards in the loss against Ole Miss. Josh Reynolds who ranks second in the team with 459 yards and three touchdowns caught three passes for 19 yards in the blowout loss.
If Texas A&M is to dominate this game, they’ll need to utilize their running game. Lead running back Tra Carson should have a solid day against the Gamecocks. He has run for 524 yards and four scores on 122 carries this season. South Carolina is allowing a little over 200 yards rushing per game, dead last in the SEC.
The Aggies could run away with a blowout if they can force South Carolina quarterback Perry Orth into some costly turnovers. The Aggies had three interceptions in the game against Ole Miss. Armani Watts, Myles Garrett and Donovan Wilson each had a pick as they terrorized Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly.
Texas A&M is 4-2 ATS in its last six games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
The Aggies win a tight game over South Carolina. Create a betting account now and get some SEC action in college football.
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