South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt: SEC Opener Brings Big Test for Gamecocks
After a strong 2-0 start to the season, No. 11 South Carolina football is set to face its first real test of 2025: the SEC opener against Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks took down Virginia Tech in a neutral-site clash and rolled past S.C. State in a $500,000 guarantee game. Now, conference play will provide the true barometer for Shane Beamer’s team.
Game Details
- When: Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:45 p.m.
- Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.
- TV/Stream: SEC Network, ESPN app
- Series History: South Carolina leads the series 30-4, dating back to 1961. The two programs have met annually since 1992, with Vanderbilt’s last win coming in 2008 — a 24-17 upset in Nashville.
Betting Outlook
According to VegasInsider’s composite line, South Carolina is a 7.5-point favorite over Vanderbilt. The over/under is set at 54.5 points.
South Carolina at a Glance
The Gamecocks sit at 2-0 after a 24-11 season-opening win over Virginia Tech in Atlanta, followed by a 38-10 victory against S.C. State. USC leaned heavily on special teams against the Bulldogs, with multiple non-offensive scores sparking the win. Still, the Gamecocks slipped to No. 11 in the AP Top 25 poll, making this week’s SEC opener critical to their playoff hopes.
Last season, South Carolina handled Vanderbilt 28-7 in Nashville.
Vanderbilt at a Glance
Vanderbilt also enters this matchup 2-0, opening the season with a dominant 45-3 win over Charleston Southern before rallying from a 17-0 deficit to beat Virginia Tech 44-20. The Commodores put up 34 unanswered points in the first half against the Hokies, signaling their offensive firepower.
Under fifth-year head coach Clark Lea, Vandy is building off a 7-6 season that ended with a 35-27 win over Georgia Tech in the Birmingham Bowl. Graduate quarterback Diego Pavia has already circled this matchup as a “must-win.” The Commodores are still chasing their first victory against USC since 2008.
Players to Watch
South Carolina
- Vicari Swain (DB/PR): The electrifying sophomore has already tied a program record with three punt return touchdowns in a single season. Against S.C. State, he returned two punts for scores — one for 64 yards and another for 43 yards after a block by David Bucey.
- Dylan Stewart (Edge): With two sacks through two games, Stewart is chasing Jadeveon Clowney’s single-season record of 13 sacks set in 2012. He’ll test a Vanderbilt offensive line that has allowed just one sack this season.
Vanderbilt
- Diego Pavia (QB): After a 2,293-yard, 20-touchdown campaign in 2024, Pavia has already racked up 463 yards and five touchdowns this fall. He threw for just 166 yards without a score in last year’s loss to USC but enters this season’s clash with momentum.
- Nick Rinaldi (LB): The former walk-on led Vanderbilt in sacks last season and was a force against Virginia Tech, tallying six tackles, four solo, and a sack. He’ll look to disrupt the Gamecocks’ offense after being limited in last year’s matchup.
What’s Next
South Carolina’s SEC gauntlet begins this week. After Vanderbilt, the Gamecocks face Missouri, Kentucky, and a brutal stretch featuring LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M before closing with Coastal Carolina and archrival Clemson.
Kickoff against Vanderbilt is set for 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network, with streaming available on the ESPN app.
