VS.

The first week of College Football is here, South Carolina Gamecocks will be facing NC State Wolfpack and it will be a classic duel of NC State offense vs. South Carolina defense, the challenge is here let’s check some of the facts out …

7:00 PM ET, September 3, 2009
Carter-Finley Stadium , RALEIGH, NC
ESPN

South Carolina Gamecocks QB Stephen Garcia is a great addition to the squad, he can make defenses pay the price but he has to be out of the pocket, the sophomore has some issues when he’s on tight spots and that could be one of the things affecting his performance. The departure of RB Mike Davis has created a void that South Carolina hopes to fill with 224-pound Brian Maddox and true freshman Jarvis Giles. Maddox is the thunder to Giles’ lightning, but poor offensive line play is a concern in this area as well because both are relatively inexperienced. Last year this particular game ended with a crushing victory by SC Gamecocks 34-0.

NC State Wolfpack biggest difference this year is the emergence of QB Russell Wilson, who left the 2008 game with a concussion but went on to throw 17 touchdowns compared to just one interception over the course of the year. He is not as athletic as you want your starting quarterback to be but he is an effective game-manager who can extend drives with his feet and his arm. N.C. State is in a better position to handle the pressure, though, because Wilson shows above-average poise for a player with his experience, and RB Jamelle Eugene, who missed last year’s South Carolina game with an ankle injury, is an effective receiver out of the backfield who should provide Wilson with a safety valve in the passing game. Also, 6-foot-5, 270-pound TE George Bryan should give Wilson a big, reliable target underneath. Eugene got plenty of carries in relief of Andre Brown last year, and Eugene’s ability to carry the bulk of the load should soften the blow of losing Brown to the NFL.

GAME ODDS
SOUTH CAROLINA
NC STATE -5

THIS WILL BE A TOUGH ONE TO PICK BUT I FEEL THE GAME WILL BE WON BY NC STATE WOLFPACK, MAKING IT A PAYBACK GAME FOR LAST YEAR’S EMBARRASING DEFEAT.

CHECK OUR ODDS ON NCAA FOOTBALL AND OUR BONUS PROMOTIONS AT GAMBLERS PALACE SPORTSBOOK & CASINO.