South Carolina’s season opener is finally upon on this weekend, and oddsmakers have installed the Gamecocks as 2.5-point underdogs to the visiting Tennessee Volunteers.
Tennessee comes to Columbia with a No. 16 ranking in the Associated Press preseason poll, owing to its 8-5 (5-3 SEC) finish last year that included a Gator Bowl victory over Indiana. Pundits have deemed the Vols to be in varying stages of Back, and quarterback Jarrett Guarantano returns to lead the UT offense for what feels like the eighth consecutive year.
The Gamecocks, of course, will be looking to improve upon last year’s 4-8 (3-5 SEC) result, and will start the season with veteran transfer Collin Hill taking the reins at quarterback.