Published Oct 17, 2015
Gamecock Central Staff Predictions
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In this feature, Gamecock Central's insiders, analysts and columnists
predict the outcome of the USC-Vanderbilt game.
Chris Clark,
Gamecock Central football insider and recruiting analyst,
style="font-weight: bold;"
href="https://twitter.com/GCChrisClark" target="_blank">@GCChrisClark
If nothing else, South Carolina will likely enter this game with a
boost of energy because of Shawn Elliott's naming to interim head coach
as well as the tempo and intensity picking up in practice under his
watch.  At the end of the day, it's about playing football on
the field. South Carolina is capable of playing better on both sides of
the ball but until further notice, still has not put together a
complete game. I'm taking USC in a close one. USC 20, Vanderbilt
17. (See Chris'
most
recent 
href="https://southcarolina.forums.rivals.com/threads/thursday-coaching-notes.73736/"
target="_blank">Coaching Search Notes)
style="font-weight: bold;">Scott Davis,
Gamecock Central columnist,
style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://twitter.com/sconfire"
target="_blank">@scdonfire
I'm just going to say this out loud and in public: I'll be shocked if
South Carolina loses this game. I've been watching college football for
a long, looooooong time, and I can't tell you how often I've seen the
following scenario play out: A team hits the absolute rockiest of rock
bottoms, a coach gets fired or leaves, things are looking as bleak as
they've ever looked...and all the sudden they come out and play with
the passion and enthusiasm they could have been playing with all
season. I expect the scene at Williams-Brice to be incredibly
emotional, and the USC players will feed off of that. There's not a
team in the country that needs a win more than South Carolina does
right now. Vanderbilt's defense is solid, but I expect the new Gamecock
coaching regime to mix in some new wrinkles that the Commodores won't
be prepared for. As shocking as it may sound considering the way this
team's played in 2015, it actually wouldn't surprise me if South
Carolina blew the doors off Vandy. But that's never a safe bet with
this team, so I'm picking a modest win for the 'Cocks. USC 27,
Vanderbilt 17. (See Scott's latest
column: 
href="https://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1813614&PT=4&PR=2"
target="_blank">Requiem for a Ball Coach)
style="font-weight: bold;">Scott Hood, Gamecock
Central beat writer,
href="https://twitter.com/ScottHood63" target="_blank">@ScottHood63
Even though Vanderbilt is making progress under Derek Mason, who is
tracking to become just the fourth Commodores coach among the last nine
to register at least three wins in their second seasons, Vanderbilt has
long been recognized as a team tough to beat in Nashville, but
frequently struggles on the road. The Commodores are coming off a bye
week, but it won't make a difference as the Gamecocks are powered by
the electricity inside Williams-Brice Stadium. USC 24, Vanderbilt
16. (See Scott's
href="https://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1814770"
target="_blank">USC-Vanderbilt Game Preview)
style="font-weight: bold;">Josh Low, Gamecock
Central football and recruiting analyst,
style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://twitter.com/GCJoshLow"
target="_blank">@GCJoshLow
It is going to be interesting to see what type of energy the Gamecocks
play with in this game considering everything that has gone on this
week. I think they will play with the type of energy Shawn Elliott has.
I don't think this will be a pretty game and it should be close. South
Carolina is the more talented team and is playing at home. They should
win this game. USC 20, Vanderbilt 14. (See
the
most
recent edition of
href="https://southcarolina.forums.rivals.com/threads/weekly-thoughts.74117/"
target="_blank">Josh's Coaching Search Thoughts)
style="font-weight: bold;">Wes Mitchell,
Gamecock Central football insider and recruiting analyst,
style="font-weight: bold;"
href="https://twitter.com/WesMitchellGC" target="_blank">@WesMitchellGC
South Carolina has had its share of off-the-field distractions in the
last couple of weeks, but will have to focus on the task at hand if
it's going to get its first SEC victory of the season. Vanderbilt is a
team that the Gamecocks can certainly beat at home, but I'd expect a
close, grind-it-out type of affair with the game coming down to a
couple of plays. This Carolina team has bought into interim coach Shawn
Elliott's message and with the way practice has gone this week, I'm
going to buy into the idea that they're focused on Vanderbilt. USC 24,
Vanderbilt 20. (See Wes' 
href="https://southcarolina.forums.rivals.com/threads/insider-preview-vanderbilt.74660/"
target="_blank">Insider Game Preview)
style="font-weight: bold;">Matt O'Brien,
Gamecock Central football analyst,
style="font-weight: bold;"
href="https://twitter.com/MattOBScout" target="_blank">@MattOBScout
In Shawn Elliott's first game as interim head coach, the thing I'll be
paying most attention to is the effort and emotion from the Gamecocks.
From my experience, Elliott is about as fiery of a personality there
is, and I expect that intensity to rub off on the team. 
Vanderbilt will be looking to take advantage of South Carolina's
coaching change, but the Commodores' lack of talent will keep them from
winning in Williams-Brice.  USC 34, Vanderbilt 17. (See the
most recent
href="https://southcarolina.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1814888"
target="_blank">O'Brien Breakdown)
style="font-weight: bold;">Jeff Tyner,
Gamecock Central multimedia specialist,
style="font-weight: bold;"
href="https://twitter.com/JeffTynerGC" target="_blank">@JeffTynerGC
The first step of the post-Spurrier era rebuild is here. Two teams that
are a combined 0-6 in the SEC means someone gets into the win column
today, but this really could be a toss up. Vanderbilt hung with Georgia
more admirably than USC, however I think the Bulldogs' sheltered play
calling played a key role there. My gut says the fiery Shawn Elliott
mosh-pits a little spirit into this team and gets a much needed win
going into the bye week. USC 28, Vanderbilt 17.  (See
Jeff's 
href="http://www.gamecockcereal.com/home/jefftyner/2015/10/15/video-farewell-to-the-hbc"
target="_blank">Farewell to the HBC video)
National expert discusses coaching searchClick Practice Insider: Elliott brings the intensityClick Chris Clark: Thursday coaching search notesClick Josh Low: Coaching search, college football thoughtsClick ALSO SEE: In-depth coverage & insider analysisHere to view this Link.Here to view this Link.Here to view this Link.Here to view this Link.