BIG FACTOR:The Gamecocks and star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, getting hugged by a teammate after a sack last season, will roll past in-state rival North Carolina, says The Post’s Lenn Robbins. (AP)
BIG FACTOR: The Gamecocks and star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, getting hugged by a teammate after a sack last season, will roll past in-state rival North Carolina, says The Post’s Lenn Robbins. (AP)
It’s going to take a late turnover for the Gamecocks to cover as 12 1/2 -point favorites against the visiting Tar Heels. North Carolina went 8-4 last season, losing three of those games by five or less points. They have a returning quarterback in Bryn Renner who is one of college football’s best-kept secrets, but he will have to keep an eye on South Carolina’s all-world defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.
The Gamecocks have just five seniors on the roster, which could make for a dicey opener. But it’s the first game of the 2013 season which means at 6 p.m. tonight, all eyes will be on the Gamecocks.
Come Monday two of the talking points will be whether South Carolina is overrated and that North Carolina, which was ineligible for a bowl last season, is a team to watch. That discussion won’t be closed after one game, but take the Gamecocks -12 1/2 in the opener.
VANDERBILT (+3 1/2) over Mississippi: There might not be a team in the SEC after Alabama that has more buzz than Ole Miss, which went 7-6 last season, spanked Pitt in the Compass Bowl, and scored one of the best recruiting classes in school history.
But coach James Franklin has quietly built Vanderbilt into a respectable program, one that won nine games for the first time since 1915. Franklin has 13 starters returning. The Commodores have the home-field advantage. And they’re getting points.
FRESNO STATE (-10) over Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights might win the American Athletic Conference, but they could not have picked a worse opener. After the cross-country trip comes this West Coast quake:
Fresno has a terrific quarterback in Derek Carr, the younger brother of Giants backup David Carr, and the Scarlet Knights have a young secondary. It’s going to get away from Rutgers early.
Southern Cal (-23 1/2) over HAWAII: Marqise Lee said it’s crazy coach Lane Kiffin hasn’t named a starting quarterback. Kiffin saw Lee and raised him, saying Max Wittek and Cody Kessler would see time against the Rainbow Warriors.
It really doesn’t matter in this mismatch as long as whoever is under center gets Lee the damn ball.
NOTRE DAME (-29 1/2) over Temple: After winning the game 45-7, Brian Kelly’s postgame press conference will take on a Lou Holtz feel as he states the final score wasn’t reflective of the hard fought game and that the 2013 Irish have to improve in every area if the expect to be half as good as last season’s 12-1 team.
This first question he will face: Is Tommy Rees your starting quarterback next week?
Penn State (-8) over Syracuse (at MetLife Stadium): Doug Marrone took Syracuse about as far as it can go and then went to the Bills, having done all he could for his alma mater.
Bill O’Brien was the coach of the year last season for holding together a program torn asunder by the worst scandal in college football history. He has been able to focus more on coaching.
MICHIGAN (-31 1/2) over Central Michigan: When’s the Ohio State game?
Oklahoma State (-12 1/2) over Mississippi State (in Houston): Mike Gundy has steadily taken the Cowboys to the upper echelon of the Big 12. Gundy said he will use two quarterbacks — Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh — to start the season. Both will have the luxury of facing a secondary that must replace three starters.
Virginia Tech (+20) over Alabama (in Atlanta): As many readers continue to remind me, I vastly overrated Tech last season. Alabama wins this by 17, but remember the way Johnny Manziel scorched the Tide last season? Logan Thomas is a beast of a quarterback.
OKLAHOMA (-22) over Louisiana Monroe: This proves nothing.
CLEMSON (+1 1/2) over Georgia: Clearly a pick ’em game but we will give you this: With two experienced, prolific quarterbacks in Tajh Boyd and Aaron Murray, and rules that have made football a game for the offenses, we’ll take the over (70).
Tcu (+4 1/2) over Lsu
(in Arlington, Texas): The Horned Frogs have quarterback Casey Pachall back from substance abuse and they have Gary Patterson’s 4-2-5 defense. This mark’s the earliest ever Les Miles unfairly finds himself on the hot seat.
Boise State (+3 1/2) over WASHINGTON: How many times have you heard this? So-and-so has more talent than Boise State, but the Broncos are so tough and so well-coached you can’t pick against them. Washington gave up almost three sacks per game last season. Demarcus Lawrence gets three on his own. Upset special.
UCLA (-21) over Nevada: The Bruins won Los Angeles last season. Can they win the Pac-12? Not yet. But Brett Hundley has a chance to be a superstar and OLB Anthony Barr is worth a touchdown. Yes, he’s that good.
Florida State (-10) over PITTSBURGH: Welcome to the ACC, Pitt.
BEST BETS: Fresno State, Penn State, Florida State.