Week 5: South Carolina vs South Carolina State 9/29/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The South Carolina Gamecocks and South Carolina State Bulldogs clash Thrusday in a week 5 college football contest from Williams-Brice Stadium.

The South Carolina State Bulldogs will be looking to rebound after a 41-27 loss to North Carolina A&T last time out. Corey Fields threw for 316 yards, 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 26 of 49 passing while Jacory Benson led the Bulldogs on the ground with 21 rushing yards. Shequan Davis led the Bulldogs with 6 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown while Benson, Rakim White and Richard Bailey all had touchdown receptions as well in the loss.

The South Carolina Gamecocks will be looking to build on their 56-20 romp over Charlotte last time out to improve to 2-2 on the year. Spencer Rattler has thrown for 909 yards, 2 touchdowns and 5 interceptions on 62.1% passing while MarShawn Lloyd’s rushed for a team-high 244 yards and 5 touchdowns. Antwane Wells Jr. and Jalen Brooks each have 200+ receiving yards for the Gamecocks as well this season. On defense, Nick Emmanwori has a team-high 31 total tackles including 26 solo tackles while South Carolina’s defensive unit has combined for 3 sacks and 4 interceptions this season.

South Carolina State is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall and 5-11 ATS in their last 16 road games while the under is 4-1 in their last 5 games overall. South Carolina is 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games while the over is 5-1 in their last 6 games following a win.

I get the case to be made for an underdog like South Carolina State as the Gamecocks really haven’t been all that impressive offensively despite bringing in a once highly-touted transfer like Spencer Rattler. However, there’s simply no way around the fact that the Gamecocks are heads and shoulders the better team and likely want to work out whatever issues they have going into the meat of their SEC schedule. Not a game I’m rushing to bet, but I see South Carolina winning this one something like 49-7. Give me the Gamecocks.