The South Carolina Gamecocks, ranked #11 in the AP Poll and #10 in the Coaches Poll, are set to host the Vanderbilt Commodores in Week 3 of the 2025 regular season. Both teams enter the game with a perfect 2-0 record, and the matchup is scheduled to take place at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC. Kickoff is slated for 7:45 PM, and the game will be broadcast on SECN. Vanderbilt has started the season strong, recording impressive victories against Virginia Tech and Charleston Southern. In their recent game against Virginia Tech, the Commodores secured a 44-20 win, showcasing a balanced attack with 228 passing yards and 264 rushing yards. Vanderbilt will aim to extend their unbeaten streak on the road against a formidable South Carolina team. South Carolina, playing at home, will look to build on their early successes, having defeated South Carolina State and Virginia Tech in their initial outings. Their defense will be crucial in containing Vanderbilt’s potent offense, which has been prolific in their opening games. As the odds suggest, with South Carolina favored at -205, the Gamecocks are expected to leverage their home advantage for another win.
South Carolina vs Vanderbilt At a Glance
- Game Date & Time: Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 7:45 PM (Night Game)
- Location: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC
- TV Channel: SECN
- Vanderbilt Record: 2-0 (Regular Season)
- South Carolina Rankings: AP #11, Coaches #10
- Game Odds: South Carolina -5.5, Total 48.5
South Carolina Gamecocks: A Formidable Foe in the Upcoming Game
Offensive Overview
South Carolina’s offensive unit in 2025 has put up 62 points so far, ranking them 32nd in the nation. Despite this, their passing game has struggled somewhat, with only 349 passing yards, placing them 90th. The rushing attack hasn’t fared much better, gaining just 240 yards and ranking 91st.
In the previous season, the Gamecocks performed better offensively, scoring 396 points and ranking 38th. They amassed 2904 passing yards and 2426 rushing yards, placing them 64th and 33rd respectively in those categories. Their overall performance is supported by 280 first downs, highlighting their ability to sustain drives.
Defensive Strength
Defensively, South Carolina has been impressive in 2025, allowing just 21 points and ranking 13th nationally. Their pass rush has been fierce, recording six sacks to secure the 5th spot. Turnovers have also been a strong suit, recovering one fumble and ranking 5th in that area.
In 2024, the Gamecocks’ defense allowed 235 points, ranking 56th. However, they maintained a strong pass rush with 41 sacks, ranking 9th. They also managed to intercept 14 passes, placing them 15th in the nation, and recovered nine fumbles, ranking 7th.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been a standout performer, throwing for 337 yards across two games, ranking 100th nationally but 1st on his team. Running back Oscar Adaway III has contributed 80 rushing yards, ranking 227th, and scored one touchdown. Wide receiver Nyck Harbor has been an offensive threat with 99 receiving yards and one touchdown.
On special teams, kicker William Joyce has been reliable, converting two field goals and eight extra points. This has contributed to his 14 fantasy points, ranking him 797th nationally. Michael Smith, at tight end, has also made notable contributions with 20 receiving yards across two games.
Recent Game Performance
In their recent game against South Carolina State, the Gamecocks secured a 38-10 victory. They achieved 16 first downs and managed 128 passing yards and 125 rushing yards. Their defense was effective, recovering two fumbles and holding the Bulldogs to just 62 rushing yards.
Earlier, South Carolina defeated Virginia Tech 24-11 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Sellers threw for 221 yards while the defense intercepted two passes. The Gamecocks’ ground game was solid, with 115 rushing yards, despite losing the first down battle 16-19.
Upcoming Challenges
South Carolina is scheduled to play the Vanderbilt Commodores next at home in Williams-Brice Stadium. This game offers them a chance to continue their strong start to the season. Looking ahead, the Gamecocks will conclude their regular season facing Clemson, another home game where they will aim to maintain their winning momentum.
Team Betting Trends
- South Carolina has covered the spread in both games this season.
- The Gamecocks are 2-0 in their last two games, winning by at least 10 points.
- South Carolina’s games have gone under the total in one of their two games this season.
Vanderbilt Commodores: A Look into the 2025 Season Performance
Offensive Strengths
The Vanderbilt Commodores have shown improvement in their offensive game this season. With 89 points scored, they rank 13th in points for, demonstrating a solid start offensively.
Their passing game is ranked 46th with 508 yards, a noticeable upgrade from the previous season. Rushing has been a significant asset, ranking 26th with 465 yards, indicating a balanced offensive strategy.
Defensive Prowess
Defensively, the Commodores have been impressive with only 23 points against them, placing them 15th in the rankings. Their ability to apply pressure on the opposing offense is evident with 6 sacks, ranking 5th.
Interceptions and fumbles have been a highlight, with the team ranking 2nd and 4th respectively in these categories. This shows their effectiveness in disrupting the opponents’ offensive plays.
Recent Game Highlights
In their recent game against Virginia Tech Hokies, the Commodores secured a 44-20 victory. They dominated in both passing and rushing, recording 228 passing yards and 264 rushing yards.
Earlier, against Charleston Southern Buccaneers, they achieved a 45-3 win. This game highlighted their strong offensive capabilities with 280 passing yards and 201 rushing yards.
Top Players to Watch
Quarterback Diego Pavia has been a standout with 468 passing yards, ranking 53rd overall. His leadership on the field is crucial for the team’s offensive success.
Running back Sedrick Alexander has contributed significantly with 156 rushing yards, ranking 65th. His performance is pivotal in the Commodores’ ground game strategy.
Betting Trends
- The Commodores have covered the spread in their last two games.
- In their recent away games, they have shown strong defensive performances.
- Vanderbilt’s games this season have hit the over in points scored in both instances.
South Carolina vs Vanderbilt Prediction: Over 48.5
The South Carolina Gamecocks enter the game with a 2-0 record, showcasing a strong start to their season. Their offensive unit has put up a total of 62 points so far, ranking them 32nd in the nation in scoring. Playing at home, they are poised to continue their offensive production against a Vanderbilt team that has allowed 23 points in two games.
Vanderbilt, also sitting at 2-0, has been impressive offensively, scoring 89 points in their first two games, which ranks 13th in the nation. Despite their solid defensive stats, this game against a high-ranking South Carolina team could be a different challenge. With both teams showing the ability to score, it sets the stage for a high-scoring encounter.
Historically, games between these two teams have seen varying scores, but given the current offensive trends, an over seems likely. In their last meeting, South Carolina’s offense proved dominant with a 28-7 win. Given their improved offensive stats this season, both teams are expected to contribute to a total that exceeds the set line.
Considering both teams’ offensive capabilities and the potential for high scoring, the over 48.5 points seems a solid pick. Predicting a final score of South Carolina 34 – Vanderbilt 24, the total score would be 58, well above the line.
- South Carolina vs Vanderbilt Prediction: Over 48.5
- South Carolina vs Vanderbilt Score: South Carolina 34 – Vanderbilt 24
