Steve Spurrier and the South Carolina Gamecocks begin their quest for an SEC title against Conference USA contender East Carolina in Greenville Saturday night.
East Carolina Vs. South Carolina: Game Time, TV Schedule, Odds And More
South Carolina begins its quest for an SEC title in Charlotte to take on the ECU Pirates. Steve Spurrier’s squad returns SEC Freshman of the Year Marcus Lattimore, standout wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey and the nation’s top incoming freshman, DE Jadeveon Clowney.
The Gamecocks bring back a Heisman Trophy at running back in Marcus Lattimore, welcome the consensus best freshman in the country in defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, not to mention quarterback Stephen Garcia and wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey. Their team is stacked with talent. The only question surrounding them this season is staying healthy and holding up to an always grueling SEC schedule.
The Ol’ Ball Coach led the Gamecocks to the SEC title game last year, only to get demolished by the Cam Newton National Title Train at Auburn, 56-17, before losing to Florida State in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl 26-17. They will try to surpass that finish, but, despite their talent, will have to do so in this game without starting cornerback Akeem Auguste, who reinjured his nagging foot Tuesday.
Garcia, who threw for more than 3,000 yards last season, might not even start this game. Sophomore Conner Shaw is giving him a run for his money in what Spurrier called an open competition.
East Carolina struggled to close out last season, dropping five of its final six games games after starting 5-2. The Pirates were dead last in Division I FBS in yards allowed, giving up 478.8 a game, so this matchup doesn’t appear to be an upset special.
ECU does feature a talented passer in Dominique Davis, a Boston College transfer who threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 37 touchdowns last year. If the purple Pirates are going to pull this one out, it’s going to be on the strength of Davis’ arm.
Game Date, Time: 7 p.m. ET, Saturday, Sept. 3
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
TV Channel: ESPN 3/ESPN Gameplan
Spread: South Carolina by 21
For futher reading, news, discussion, and more: Visit the Gamecocks’ SB Nation blog, Garnet and Black Attack.
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