Vanderbilt is gearing up for a thrilling road trip to face off against Shane Beamer No. 11 South Carolina Gamecocks. Both teams enter the contest 2-0 but neither has yet faced a conference rival, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying SEC class in week 3.
So who does ESPN’s Football Power Index favor in this matchup? The numbers lean heavily towards the Gamecocks and Beamer Ball, giving them a 65.1% chance of victory compared to Vanderbilt‘s 34.9%. Will Vanderbilt defy the odds and pull off an upset?
The Commodores are riding high after a decisive 44-20 victory over Virginia Tech last week. Quarterback Diego Pavia led the charge with an impressive performance, throwing for 193 yards on 12 of 18 passes, including three touchdowns and one interception. He also showcases versatility by rushing for 61 yards on 11 carries. Meanwhile, Makilyn Young added to the offensive fireworks with eight rushes for 95 yards and a touchdown, plus a reception for another 12 yards.
On the other side of the field, South Carolina dominated South Carolina state in their last outing, winning decisively with the score of 38-10. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers threw for 128 yards on an efficient 11 of 19 passing, contributing one touchdown without any interceptions. Vandrevius Jacob also had a strong showing with four receptions totaling 57 yards and one touchdown.
Historically speaking, this matchup has been one-sided; in their previous meetings, South Carolina leads the series with an impressive record of 23 wins to Vanderbilt’s 2 victories. With both teams boasting perfect Red zone efficiency, scoring on every trip inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, they are poised to deliver an offensive showdown in Columbia.
As kickoff approaches at William-Bryce stadium in Columbia, South Carolina, kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. ET, one team will emerge victorious, while the other will leave no longer undefeated. Can Vanderbilt pull off a stunning upset or will South Carolina continue its winning ways?
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
