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South Carolina Set to Face Vanderbilt in Key SEC Matchup

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina heads to Nashville this Saturday to take on Vanderbilt in a pivotal SEC matchup as both teams aim to solidify their season standings. The Gamecocks, fresh off a commanding win over Texas A&M, are 3-3 in conference play and are ranked No. 24 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, though they remain unranked in the AP poll. Vanderbilt, currently 6-3, is looking to make a statement following a recent win over Auburn and a close loss to Texas.

According to the SP+ prediction model, South Carolina is favored to win with a projected score of 30-23, giving the Gamecocks a 68% chance of victory. The model, which adjusts for tempo and opponent strength, predicts South Carolina to win by a margin of 7.5 points. So far this season, SP+ has proven reasonably accurate, boasting a 51.8% win rate against the spread.

South Carolina Gamecocks Enter Vanderbilt

Odds and Betting Lines

FanDuel Sportsbook lists South Carolina as a 3.5-point favorite over Vanderbilt, with a total points line set at 45.5 (Over -105, Under -115). Moneyline odds favor the Gamecocks at -164, while Vanderbilt stands at +136. Despite the odds, 62% of bettors are taking Vanderbilt to either win outright or keep the game within a field goal.

Head-to-Head Metrics

On average, South Carolina has outperformed opponents by 11.6 points this season, compared to Vanderbilt’s 3.6-point margin. Recently, these gaps have widened, with South Carolina outperforming teams by 16 points in their last three games, while Vanderbilt has improved to a 5.7-point margin. On the road, South Carolina has averaged a 16.3-point advantage, while Vanderbilt has a 4.8-point edge at home.

Computer Predictions and Future Outlook

The College Football Power Index (FPI) also favors South Carolina, granting them a 58.7% chance of victory over Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks are forecasted to win by an average of 5.3 points, and the FPI currently ranks South Carolina eighth among SEC teams, giving them a 10.3% chance of reaching the College Football Playoff. Though a playoff spot is unlikely, the Gamecocks are projected to win 7.6 games this season, which would secure a bowl appearance. Vanderbilt, already bowl-eligible, is projected to finish with 6.9 wins.

South Carolina Bowl Projections

Bowl projections for South Carolina vary. Action Network’s Brett McMurphy has the Gamecocks headed to Tampa for the ReliaQuest Bowl (formerly the Outback Bowl) on Dec. 31 to face Iowa. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura predict a Texas Bowl matchup against Big 12’s Texas Tech on New Year’s Eve in Houston. CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm envisions South Carolina playing Deion Sanders’ Colorado team in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 27. Meanwhile, The Sporting News sees the Gamecocks in Memphis for the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 27 against Kansas State. Athlon Sports and 247Sports have South Carolina playing in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, facing Illinois or Michigan.

How to Watch

When: Saturday, Nov. 9
Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
TV: SEC Network

Catch all the action as South Carolina looks to capitalize on their recent success and Vanderbilt aims for an upset on home turf.

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