East Carolina @ South Carolina preview
Williams-Brice Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 6, 2014 ) East Carolina 23, South Carolina 33
Not long ago, South Carolina’s Williams-Brice Stadium had become one of the tougher places to play in the SEC East, if not the nation, but the Gamecocks have had a tough time defending their turf recently. The Gamecocks hope to change that trend when they host East Carolina for their home opener Saturday.
South Carolina has lost three straight at home and is trying to avoid its first four-game skid at Williams-Brice since dropping 11 in a row there from 1998-99. “The great programs that have a home-field advantage, it has a lot to do with the fan base,” first-year Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp told reporters. “But it has more to do with the team that’s playing on the field and playing well.” The Pirates are looking for a second straight win over a Power Five opponent after knocking off North Carolina State 33-30 last week. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series 13-5 and have won all three meetings since the rivalry was renewed in 2011.
TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: South Carolina -3
ABOUT EAST CAROLINA (2-0): The Pirates rolled up 688 total yards in a season-opening 52-7 win over Western Carolina, and they proved it wasn’t simply a product of their competition by racking up 445 yards against N.C. State. Quarterback Philip Nelson leads the nation with an 81.3 completion percentage and has completed passes to eight different receivers, though his top target is senior Zay Jones, who leads all active FBS players in receptions (258) and ranks fourth in receiving yards (2,786). The defense had its issues stopping the Wolfpack on the ground, allowing 6.9 yards per carry.
ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (1-1): The struggling offense is a concern for the Gamecocks, who have averaged just 13.5 points in their first two games. Muschamp didn’t announce a starting quarterback this week, saying it will be a game-time decision whether veteran Perry Orth or freshman Brandon McIlwain gets the nod, both of whom have been inconsistent in the passing game. The bigger concern in last week’s 27-14 loss at Mississippi State was the Gamecocks’ shoddy tackling, which will have to improve as East Carolina averages 211.5 rushing yards per game and South Carolina allows 229.5 per game on the ground.
EXTRA POINTS
1. South Carolina has lost two straight home openers after winning its previous seven.
2. East Carolina is 6-27 all-time against current SEC teams and has lost seven straight against the league since a 21-3 win at South Carolina in 1999.
3. Jones has caught a pass in 37 consecutive games dating to 2013, the fourth-longest active streak among FBS players.
PREDICTION: South Carolina 30, East Carolina 27