142 Vandy -4/42.5 vs S Carolina
Two years under HC Derek Mason, the defense improved significantly, and with 7 key players return
this year the Commodores defense could be a top ten unit. However the offense has been stuck in
the mud. Five different QBs have started for Mason's in his two seasons at Vanderbilt. There is no
positive sign this year even with 8 starters returning. A mediocre QB, Kyle Shurmur (43% completion
for 503 yds, 5 TDs and 3 Int.,) will be a full time starting QB. He should have plenty of help with both
top RBs and top 4 WRs returning, though they must replace 3 OL starters.
Score: 15.2 ppg (#124)/Defense 21 ppg (#22) Total 327 ypg/Defense 351 ypg
Rush 155 ypg/Defense 143 ypg Pass 172 ypg/Defense 207 ypg
Disaster struck the Gamecocks last year, losing a great coach and the team tanked badly. Incoming
is Will Muschamp, a former Gators head coach. This was a curious hire to say the least. Coach Will
Muschamp could not win with the Gators' A-talent, how could he win with the Gamecocks' C-talent
playing the same opponents? Anyway football goes on.
Score: 21.9 ppg (#110)/Defense 27.5 ppg (#70) Total 362 ypg/Defense 430 ypg
Rush 155 ypg/Defense 217 ypg Pass 208 ypg/Defense 212 ypg
The Gamecocks return only 11 starters, 5 on offense and 6 on defense. It certainly does not look
promising for new coach Muschamp with so few key players return from a mediocre team.
Last year both offensive and defensive outputs were at its worst rating in nearly a decade. The
incumbent QB Perry Orth (55%, 1929 yds, 12 TDs 9 Ints.,) returns but not sure he will be starting. The
QB competition between QB Perry Orth and freshman Brandon McIlwain is continuing and won’t
be settled until the opener. A good chance that both QBs might play in the season opener. On offense
there are virtually no proven weapons in the skill units. The top RB had only 299 yds, leading WR
had only 12 catches, and the OL has to replace 3 starters.
A mediocre defense that was only decent at big-plays prevention must replace four of its top six
linemen and top two safeties. Only the linebacking corp. is solid with all top 4 LBs return.
The Gamecocks will endure a horrible season this year while trying to find their identity. Coach
Muschamp could build a solid foundation but it is a long and painful process.
This game could be one of the worst, boring game of the season. Just do not see the Gamecocks being
able to score on a good Commodores defense, and neither can Vanderbilt pedestrian offense to
do great damage. Expecting a low scoring game with the edge on Commodores side.
Picks: Vandy -4/Under 42.5
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190 Tennessee -20/60 vs Appalachian St
Tennessee (8-4/5-3 SEC and a blow out win over a good North Western) were just one or two plays
from winning the SEC East. This season will be the best Volunteers team in almost a decade.
They return virtually all key contributors on both sides of the ball, including a good and improved
dual-threat QB Joshua Dobbs (2291 yds, 60% compl., 15 TDs, 5 Int., plus 671 rushing yds and 11 TDs)
Besides the departures of 2 OL and a WR, the offense returns practically intact.
Biggest loss on the defensive side is at Safety position, losing two starters including the
stand-out Brian Randolph (#2 tackler with 70 tackles) A good defense in 2015 (#17 in S&P+)
will have a chance to be one of the top unit in the nation with the hiring of a great DC in Bob Shoop,
a well regarded DC from Penn. ST (and former Vandy DC) He should have lot of talent at his disposal.
The Volunteers are arguably the most complete team in the SEC heading into 2016 season.
Appalachian St. made the jump to FBS look too easy. After starting 1-5 in 2014, they rolled off a
a 13-1 record, the lone loss was a beat down at the hands of last year National Runner-Up Clemson.
The Mountaineers are well coached, motivated, and not afraid of going head-on vs a power team.
After a 11-2 record last year, ASU return a good dual-threat QB in Taylor Lamb (2387 yds, 60% compl.,
31 TDs, 9 Int., plus 436 rushing yds and 5 TDs,) a great and intact backfield including RB Marcus Cox
(1415 yds and 19 TDs). The receiving corp. suffers quite heavily with 3 of top 4 WRs departed, and
the OL is absolutely thin with only 2 returning starters and virtually no experience on depth.
The defense is loaded, losing only 5 of their top 28 tacklers, and is expected to continue their
dominance in the Sun Belt conference this year.
As good as the Mountaineers, they are still a Sun Belt team. The last two years they were blown out
14-52 at Michigan in 2014, and 10-41 at Clemson last year. In the loss to Clemson, QB Lamb performed
very poorly, completing 32% for 95 yds with 1 TD and 3 Int. He also rushed 3 times for a mere 8 yds.
The Mountaineers main offensive weapon is the ground attack and it's not hard to see them having
trouble against a top SEC team defense, and probably will suffer a blow-out loss.
The only question/concern is the Volunteers might look-ahead to next week hosting Va Tech.
Pick: Tennessee -20