In Week 2 of the 2025 college football season, the South Carolina State Bulldogs will journey to Williams-Brice Stadium to meet the South Carolina Gamecocks. The game is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM, and will be broadcast on the SEC Network. This night game will provide a thrilling atmosphere as fans anticipate an exciting showdown.
The Bulldogs, who are currently independent of any conference, have had a challenging start with a 0-1 record from the previous season. They look to improve on their road performances after their recent loss to Georgia Southern Eagles, 42-14. The team will face a tough opponent in the Gamecocks, who are ranked #10 in the AP Poll.
Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are entering this game with momentum from a 24-11 victory over Virginia Tech. Playing at home for the first time this season, South Carolina will aim to continue their winning streak. As an SEC contender, they are favored with a significant spread, indicating high expectations for a decisive performance.
South Carolina vs South Carolina State At a Glance
- Game Location: Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC
- Game Time: Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM
- TV Broadcast: SEC Network
- South Carolina Gamecocks Record: 1-0 in the 2025 season
- South Carolina State Bulldogs Record: 0-1 in the 2025 season
- Betting Odds: South Carolina State at +8000 moneyline, Gamecocks favored by 42.5 points
South Carolina Gamecocks Prepare for an Exciting Contest
Offensive Analysis
South Carolina’s offense has shown potential in their opening game, scoring 24 points against Virginia Tech. While their passing game accumulated 221 yards, ranking them 66th, their ground attack lagged with just 115 rushing yards, placing them at 85th.
Securing 16 first downs, the Gamecocks’ ability to convert third downs and sustain drives could be critical in future contests. Improving their rushing game could be a key focus as they prepare for upcoming challenges.
Defensive Insights
On the defensive side, South Carolina has been impressive, allowing only 11 points and securing a spot as the 7th-ranked team in points against. Their ability to put pressure on the quarterback is evident, with two sacks placing them 6th in that category.
Despite the lack of interceptions and fumble recoveries in their recent game, they are ranked 1st and 4th in those categories, respectively. Continuing to force turnovers will be essential for maintaining their strong defensive record.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Kyron Drones played a pivotal role in their offensive efforts, throwing for 221 yards. His ability to connect with receivers and avoid turnovers will be crucial as the season progresses.
Running back Marcellous Hawkins had a moderate performance with 58 rushing yards, but more will be expected from him to establish a balanced offensive approach. Wide receiver Donavon Greene was a standout with 94 receiving yards, providing a reliable target for Drones.
Upcoming Challenges
South Carolina’s upcoming game against South Carolina State Bulldogs presents an opportunity to further refine their strategies and improve on both sides of the ball. Playing at home in Williams-Brice Stadium, the Gamecocks will aim to build on their early season success.
With a later game against Clemson Tigers, the Gamecocks will need to maintain consistency and momentum throughout the season. Injuries to key players might pose challenges, but the team is poised to overcome them with strategic adjustments.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
South Carolina State Bulldogs: A Look at Their Upcoming Game
Offensive Challenges
The South Carolina State Bulldogs have struggled offensively, with only 14 points per game in the 2024 season, ranking them 130th overall. Their passing game has been moderate, amassing 206 yards per game, but this still places them at 162nd in the rankings. Rushing has been even more challenging, with just 112 yards per game, ranking them 175th.
First downs have also been hard to come by for the Bulldogs, with an average of 19 per game, placing them 110th in the rankings. This indicates a need for improvement in sustaining drives and converting opportunities into points. The offensive unit will need to find ways to improve their efficiency and production to be more competitive in their upcoming games.
Defensive Struggles
Defensively, the Bulldogs have been vulnerable, allowing 42 points per game, which is the 15th most in the league. Their pass rush has recorded just one sack, placing them 45th, which indicates a lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Moreover, they have yet to record an interception, ranking them at the bottom of the league.
Their ability to recover fumbles is also lacking, as they have not recovered any, ranking 16th in this category. These defensive shortcomings have contributed to their struggles, and improvement in these areas will be crucial for their future success. The Bulldogs need to focus on creating turnovers and applying more pressure defensively.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Eric Phoenix has been a key player, throwing for 206 yards in the only game played, but he has yet to throw a touchdown pass. Running back Deondra Duehart has shown some promise with 26 rushing yards and two touchdowns, providing a glimpse of potential in the ground game. Wide receiver Caden High led the receiving corps with 10 catches for 81 yards.
On the receiving front, Justin Smith-Brown and Einaj Carter have contributed with 6 and 3 receptions, respectively, but have yet to reach the end zone. Tight end Keshawn Toney has added 45 receiving yards, showing potential as a reliable target. Improvement in these individual performances could help the Bulldogs in future games.
Upcoming Games and Opportunities
Looking ahead, the Bulldogs have upcoming games against the South Carolina Gamecocks and the South Florida Bulls. Both games are away, posing additional challenges as they look to improve their performance. Playing at Williams-Brice Stadium and Raymond James Stadium will test the Bulldogs’ resilience on the road.
These games provide an opportunity for the Bulldogs to address their weaknesses and build on their strengths. A focus on enhancing their offensive efficiency and tightening their defense will be vital for their success. The team will need to come together to make the necessary adjustments and compete effectively.
Betting Trends
- South Carolina State Bulldogs are 0-1 against the spread in their last game.
- The Bulldogs have not covered the spread in away games this season.
- Over/Under total has gone over in their last game, with a total of 56 points scored.
- They have been underdogs in all games so far this season.
South Carolina vs South Carolina State Prediction: South Carolina State +42.5
The South Carolina Gamecocks enter this game ranked #10 in the AP Poll, coming off a solid start to their 2025 season with a victory on the road. Playing at home against a South Carolina State team that has struggled offensively, South Carolina has the tools to dominate. However, the spread of 42.5 points is significant, even for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina State’s offensive struggles last season were apparent, ranking 130th in points scored. Facing the 7th-ranked defense of South Carolina will pose a challenge, but the Bulldogs can capitalize on garbage time to narrow the deficit. Historically, large spreads in early-season games can be difficult to cover.
The Gamecocks have proven to be strong favorites against the spread, but given the size of this spread, opting for South Carolina State to cover seems plausible. Previous matchups, like in 2022, saw South Carolina win comfortably but within the spread range. Expecting a dominant Gamecocks win, the 42.5-point cushion for South Carolina State offers value.
South Carolina’s defense will keep the Bulldogs in check, yet the offense might not push hard enough to surpass the massive spread. A projected final score could be South Carolina 45 – South Carolina State 10, where the Gamecocks win handily, but South Carolina State covers the spread.
- South Carolina vs South Carolina State Prediction: South Carolina State +42.5
- South Carolina vs South Carolina State Score: South Carolina 45 – South Carolina State 10
