South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt Odds
NASHVILLE, TN (The Spread) – The 2012 College Football Season officially begins tonight when Vanderbilt hosts No. 9 South Carolina at 7PM ET on ESPN.
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Vanderbilt was 6-7 a year ago in its first year under coach James Franklin while South Carolina went 11-2, its best season ever under Steve Spurrier. South Carolina is 17-4 against Vanderbilt in the last 21 meetings.
Trends show that Vanderbilt has covered the spread in its last 7 home games but the Gamecocks have covered the odds in their last two meetings with Vandy. The last two meetings have also hit the under.
Oddsmakers see South Carolina as the favorite on the road in this game. The Gamecocks have odds of -6.5 points against Vanderbilt, while the over/under total has been set at 45.5 points (View Matchup). The opening odds had South Carolina favored by 7 points and then the spread continued to go back and forth between 6.5 and 7 until settling in at 6.5.
South Carolina comes into this season with high hopes are running back Marucs Lattimore returns after missing six games last season with a torn ACL. Lattimore was the Freshman of the Year in 2010 and rushed for 818 yards and 10 scores before getting injured in 2011. Lattimore will add to a rushing attack that averaged 192 yards per game. South Carolina also returns starting quarterback Connor Shaw, but has just two starters back on the offensive line. Defensively, South Carolina held opponents to 18.4 points and 268 total yards in 2011. The defense has six starters back, led by defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who had 8 sacks last season.
Vanderbilt was 5-2 at home a year ago and had a respectable offense and defense. The offense averaged 26.7 points and 339 total yards. This year’s unit returns rusher Zac Stacy, who had 1,193 yards and 14 TD’s in 2011. Quarterback Jordan Rodgers is also back for Vandy, but he struggled last year, throwing for just 9 TD’s with 10 INT’s. Defensively, the Commodores allowed only 21.6 points and 323 yards per game. The group returns seven starters, but still loses its three leading tacklers. Vandy was weaker against the rush than the pass, which doesn’t bode well for this game.
In terms of Injuries, South Carolina has listed both Shaw and Lattimore as probable to play as they battle lingering injuries. Vanderbilt has no injuries to report
The Public Bets are heavily in favor of the Gamecocks as South Carolina is getting 80% of the wagers with odds of -6.5 points against Vanderbilt.
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