South Carolina’s SEC opener is set for Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium, where the No. 11 Gamecocks will square off against Vanderbilt in a pivotal early-season clash.
Ahead of the matchup, Shane Beamer and his staff named four captains to lead the team: junior tight end Maurice Brown II, redshirt junior offensive lineman Cason Henry, redshirt sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers, and senior defensive back DQ Smith.
These players will set the tone as South Carolina enters conference play, facing a Vanderbilt squad eager for revenge after last year’s 28-7 loss in Nashville. The Gamecocks’ staff emphasized leadership in their captain choices, highlighting players expected to anchor the team in a high-pressure SEC setting.
South Carolina Football’s official account posted, “Leaders for tomorrow’s battle 🫡” on social media, underscoring the importance of the selections.
The betting line reflects a tighter matchup than some may expect. South Carolina, originally favored by 5.5 points, is now just a 3.5-point favorite, according to ESPN Bet. ESPN’s Football Power Index still leans toward the Gamecocks, giving them a 65.1% chance to win.
The Gamecocks enter the contest undefeated after a 38-10 victory over South Carolina State and a 24-11 win against Virginia Tech to open the season. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, also stands at 2-0, coming off a dominant performance where they outscored Virginia Tech 34-0 in the second half en route to a 44-20 win in Blacksburg.
Kickoff between the Commodores and Gamecocks is set for 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
