Old Dominion is scheduled to face off against South Carolina this Saturday at 4:15 p.m. ET, airing on the SEC Network. According to BetMGM College Football Odds, South Carolina is favored to win by 21 points. This game marks the first meeting between the two teams.
South Carolina is looking to kick off the season with a strong performance as they have a tough Southeastern Conference schedule ahead, including matchups against Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Oklahoma in the coming weeks. On the other hand, Old Dominion is coming off a season where they played 11 one-score games, winning 6 of them, and they aim to challenge the SEC team by keeping the game close early.
A key matchup to watch is South Carolina’s offensive line against Old Dominion’s linebacker, Jason Henderson. The Gamecocks struggled last season due to injuries and poor performance, and Henderson, who led the country in tackles for the past two years, will be looking to capitalize on any opportunities to disrupt South Carolina’s offense.
Players to keep an eye on include Old Dominion’s wide receiver, Isiah Paige, who was a top performer for the Monarchs last season, and South Carolina’s quarterback, LaNorris Sellers, a sophomore who secured the starting position after competing with another talented player.
South Carolina finished last season with a record of 5-7, failing to reach the postseason for the first time in coach Shane Beamer’s three-year tenure. Old Dominion, from the Sun Belt Conference, posted a 6-6 record in the regular season and participated in a bowl game. Notable losses for South Carolina include quarterback Spencer Rattler and leading receiver Xavier Legette, who was drafted by the Carolina Panthers.
In historical context, South Carolina holds a 19-3 record against current Sun Belt football teams. Henderson is aiming to break the FBS tackle record, needing 142 more tackles to surpass the current record holder. The upcoming game between Old Dominion and South Carolina sets the stage for an intriguing matchup between the two teams.