South Carolina (0-2, 0-2 SEC) at Vanderbilt (0-2, 0-2 SEC)

When: Saturday, Oct 10, 2020 - Noon ET

Where: Vanderbilt Stadium - Nashville, TN (39,773)

Television: SEC Network (Dave Neal, DJ Shockley, Dawn Davenport)

Local Radio: Gamecock IMG Sports Network (Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs, Jamar Nesbit)

Satellite Radio: Sirius 138/XM 381

Odds: South Carolina -13.5 (O/U 41.5)

Weather: 72 degrees, 73% chance of rain

Today's Gameday Guide is presented by Market on Main! Still looking for a place to watch the game? Check out their watch party on their 23-foot LED screen. $10 cover charge to get in but it includes a FREE drink from Makers Mark.

Vandy edge rushers Dayo Odeyingbo and Andre Mintze vs. Gamecocks' OTs Dylan Wonnum and Jakai Moore

Odeyingbo and Mintze are considered two of Vanderbilt's best returning players and even though the Gamecocks have had some positive moments on the offensive line, their eight sacks allowed is currently the worst mark in the SEC.

Carolina has particularly struggled on the right side where both Moore and freshman Vershon Lee have both taken reps. Both guys have bright futures in the program but have combined to allow four sacks and nine pressures, according to PFF.

South Carolina LBs vs. Vandy's running game

With a freshman quarterback, a new OC, and new players throughout the Vanderbilt offense, the Commodores are expected to run the football more than they throw it, and that's been the case through two games.

The Gamecocks will likely counter with more three-linebacker sets against a pro-style Vanderbilt offense. If they can hold the Vandy running back duo in check, then it will likely be a long day for freshman QB Ken Seals.

South Carolina OC Mike Bobo vs. Vanderbilt DC Ted Roof

Bobo and Roof met up many times when Bobo was calling plays for Georgia and Roof was running the defense at Georgia Tech.

The Gamecocks last faced Roof last season when he coached Appalachian State's defense, but no self-respecting Gamecock fan wants to re-live how that game went.

With a great deal of familiarity here, this is an intriguing chess match, and it will be interesting to see which side goes against his tendencies.

Free

Gamecocks trying to find answers in secondary

Gamecocks pleased with 'creative' running game

Where South Carolina ranks statistically through two games

Storylines to watch: Vanderbilt

Premium

Star Power: How starters for Gamecocks, Commodores stacked up as recruits

Film Prep: What to expect from Vanderbilt

Analytics Preview: Gamecocks heavy favorites against Commodores

Newcomer PFF grades after two games

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CAROLINA VS. VANDY: This is the 30th all-time meeting between South Carolina and Vanderbilt, with the Gamecocks holding a commanding 25-4 advantage, including a 13-2 record when the games have been played in Nashville and a 12-2 mark when the teams have met in Columbia. The teams met just once (1961) before they became SEC Eastern Division rivals beginning in 1992, and have met every year since.

IN DOMINATING FASHION: The Gamecocks have won each of the last 11 games between the two squads, their longest winning streak in the series, and 18 of the last 20 meetings between these two SEC Eastern Division rivals. Of the Division I FBS opponents against whom the Gamecocks have at least 10 all-time meetings, Carolina has its best winning percentage against Vanderbilt at .862. In the previous 29 outings, Vanderbilt has tallied more than 17 points just six times (24 in 2003, 28 in 2005, 24 in 2008, 25 in 2013, a record-high 34 in 2014 and 27 in 2017).

THE OUTLIERS: Vanderbilt’s four wins in the series have come in back-to-back fashion on two occasions - first in 1998 and ‘99, then again in 2007 and ‘08. Those four wins have been by a combined total of 22 points (17-14, 11-10, 17-6 and 24-17).

THE LAST TIME THEY MET: Bryan Edwards caught a school record-tying 14 passes for a career-best 139 yards to lead the Gamecocks to a 24-7 win over Vanderbilt on Nov. 2, 2019 in Columbia. Ryan Hilinski was 24-for-31 for 235 yards for the Gamecocks, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to Edwards midway through the fourth quarter that sealed the win. Freshman Deshaun Fenwick got his first action of 2019, running 18 times for 102 yards. The Commodores lost starting quarterback Riley Neal to injury after the first drive and, with Mo Hasan not playing, turned to third string Deuce Wallace. The junior was 8-for-17 for 30 yards and two interceptions.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET HERE: Jake Bentley threw for 261 yards and Carolina outscored Vanderbilt 17-0 in the second half in a 37-14 win on Sept. 22, 2018 in Nashville. Rico Dowdle rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown and Shi Smith logged 119 receiving yards on just five catches, as the Gamecocks outgained the Dores 273-92 on the ground and 534-284 overall. Parker White was a perfect 3-for-3 in field goal tries.

IMPOSING HIS WILL: Will Muschamp is 7-1 in eight games as a head coach against the Commodores. He was a 26-21 winner in 2011 in “The Swamp,” posted a 31-17 win in Nashville in 2012, dropped a 34-17 decision at Gainesville in 2013, then won by a 34-10 count in Nashville in 2014, all as the head coach at Florida. He survived a 13-10 decision to open the 2016 campaign in his Carolina debut, then won 34-27 in Columbia in 2017, before running his record in Nashville to 4-0 with a 37-14 rout in 2018. Carolina won last year in Columbia by a 24-7 score.

MASON IN THE JAR: Vandy head coach Derek Mason is winless in six tries against the Gamecocks.

IT JUST MEANS MORE: Carolina lists three players who hail from the state of Tennessee, including redshirt senior Sadarius Hutcherson (Huntingdon), and redshirt freshmen Keveon Mullins (Memphis) and Joseph Anderson (Murfreesboro).

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK

15 Collin Hill - RsSr.

3 Ryan Hilinski - So.

4 Luke Doty - Fr.

NOTES: No changes to the QB depth chart this week.

RUNNING BACK

20 Kevin Harris - Fr.

14 Deshaun Fenwick - RsJr.

11 ZaQuandre White - RsJr.

NOTES: After all three running backs played similar snaps in week 1, it seemed there was a clear pecking order in week 2 and that's reflected above.

WIDE RECEIVER

13 Shi Smith - So.

4 Luke Doty - Fr.

WIDE RECEIVER

17 Xavier Legette - So.

84 Rico Powers - Fr.

WIDE RECEIVER

6 Josh Vann - Jr.

5 Dakereon Joyner - RsSo.

89 Ger-Cari Caldwell - Fr.

NOTES: Based on playing time last week, we've flipped Josh Vann and Dakereon Joyner. Joyner started Week 1, but it's Vann who got the start as the third receiver in Gainesville. Rico Powers played all the snaps at the X after Xavier Legette exited with a minor groin injury but he's back at practice.

LEFT TACKLE

79 Dylan Wonnum - Jr.

75 Jazston Turnetine - Jr.

LEFT GUARD

50 Sadarius Hutcherson - RsSr.

76 Jordan Rhodes - RsJr.

CENTER

71 Eric Douglas - RsJr.

74 Vinny Murphy - RsFr.

RIGHT GUARD

54 Jovaughn Gwyn - RsFr.

68 Wyatt Campbell - RsSo.

RIGHT TACKLE

55 Jakai Moore - RsFr.

77 Vershon Lee - Fr.

52 Jaylen Nichols - So.

NOTES: The Gamecocks continue to work through their right tackle position but redshirt freshman Jakai Moore has started both games and Vershon Lee has been his backup in both.

TIGHT END

9 Nick Muse - Sr.

82 KeShawn Toney - RsFr.

TIGHT END

80 Keveon Mullins - RsFr.

88 Will Register - RsJr.

NOTES: No changes to the tight end depth chart.

FULLBACK

46 Adam Prentice - RsSr.

48 Sean McGonigal Jr. - RsJr.

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE END

15 Aaron Sterling - Jr.

91 Tonka Hemingway - Fr.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

5 Keir Thomas - Sr.

6 Zacch Pickens - So.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

99 Jabari Ellis - RsSr.

90 Rick Sandidge - Jr.

BUCK

52 J.J. Enagbare - Jr.

3 Jordan Burch - Fr.

NOTES: No changes to the DL depth chart.

MIKE LINEBACKER

53 Ernest Jones - So.

45 Spencer Eason-Riddle - RsSr.

WILL LINEBACKER

30 Damani Staley - Sr.

32 Mohamed Kaba - Fr.

(OUT - 44 Sherrod Greene - USUAL STARTER - 4-6 wks with hip injury)

SAM LINEBACKER

19 Brad Johnson - RsJr.

45 Spencer Eason-Riddle - RsSr.

NOTES: No changes to the LB depth chart.

SAFETY

10 R.J. Roderick - Jr.

OR

24 Israel Mukuamu - Jr.

21 Shilo Sanders - RsFr.

SAFETY

7 Jammie Robinson - So.

4 Jaylin Dickerson - RsJr.

CORNERBACK

1 Jaycee Horn - Jr.

9 Cam Smith - RsFr.

CORNERBACK

24 Israel Mukuamu - Jr.

OR

22 John Dixon - So.

NICKEL

7 Jammie Robinson - So.

1 Jaycee Horn - Jr.

DIME

40 Jahmar Brown - So. (DAY-TO-DAY with knee injury)

10 R.J. Roderick - Jr.

NOTES: Izzy Mukuamu started at safety in Gainesville but that was primarily due to the staff trying to protect his injured groin. Mukuamu will be available to play cornerback this week but Johnny Dixon played well at the position, which could lead the staff to playing Mukuamu at safety and starting Dixon at cornerback again.

SPECIAL TEAMS

PLACE KICKER

43 Parker White - Jr.

98 Mitch Jeter - Fr.

PUNTER

39 Kai Kroeger - Fr.

36 Christian Kingsley - Sr.

DEEP SNAPPER

59 Matthew Bailey - RsFr.

9 Nick Muse - Sr.

HOLDER

39 Kai Kroeger - Fr.

36 Christian Kingsley - Sr.

PUNT RETURNER

1 Jaycee Horn - Jr.

OR

7 Jammie Robinson - So.

KICKOFF RETURNER

13 Shi Smith - Sr.

17 Xavier Legette - So.

NOTES: After Jammie Robinson handled punt returns in Week 1, Jaycee Horn took over last week.

Collyn Taylor: Things have not gone well for South Carolina to start, but there are at least enough going right to feasibly see a turnaround at some point this season. Will it happen? Who knows. The bottom line: South Carolina has the athletes to beat Vanderbilt, and the Gamecocks should come out of Nashville with a win.

The bigger question is if the Gamecocks can do enough to give fans optimism for a turnaround and that things are on their way to getting fixed. That comes by dominating the Commodores and winning going away. I don't know if the Gamecocks can do that right now.

South Carolina wins, but I don't know if they cover. South Carolina 30, Vanderbilt 15

Will Helms: Vanderbilt is not a great football team. South Carolina's defense has major, major issues if they can't shut down the Commodore offense. I think Jaycee Horn has a pick, and Kevin Harris rolls. I'm taking the Gamecocks to cover. South Carolina 31, Vanderbilt 13

Wes Mitchell: South Carolina has obviously had its way with Vanderbilt for the last 11 matchups. During that stretch, most of the games have played out with Carolina either controlling most of the game (even last year) or Vanderbilt managing to hang on with the Gamecocks making enough plays late.

As disappointed as the Carolina faithful are with an 0-2 start, the Gamecocks have competed in both matchups and are just the better team on paper. With Vanderbilt lacking the firepower on offense to threaten South Carolina, that should give the Carolina offense enough opportunities to win this one and put it away. South Carolina 31, Vanderbilt 14.

Michael Beckham: This feels like a game that the Gamecocks should win going away, but it almost never works out that way. As inconsistent as the Carolina defense has been this season, the Vanderbilt offense has been much worse. On that front alone, the Gamecocks should win the game.

I also feel like the Gamecocks are due for a breakout offensive game, but unfortunately for them, the weather looks to be a factor with the remnants of Hurricane Delta in town. I believe that Carolina will win, but fans won’t walk away with the reassuring feeling that they were looking for. Vanderbilt will keep this close, and Carolina will put it away late. South Carolina 27, Vanderbilt 17

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