South Carolina Gamecocks at Vanderbilt Commodores

Two teams who scored resounding wins in their first game of the season will meet up on Thursday night when the South Carolina Gamecocks (1-0 SU & ATS) in an SEC contest that is set to kick off at 8:30 PM ET at Vanderbilt Stadium (natural turf) in Nashville.

Thursday, September 4

BetUS NCAA Football Betting Odds: SOUTH CAROLINA -10

Here are some of the NCAA college football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* SC is 2-4-1 ATS in its last seven games

* SC has lost five of its last six games SU

* SC has played five of its last seven games UNDER the total

* SC is 9-2-1 ATS in its last 12 road games

* SC has won eight of its last 12 road games SU

* SC has played four of its last five road games OVER the total

* VAN has lost four of its last five games SU

* VAN has covered two of its last six games

* VAN has played nine of its last 12 games UNDER the total

* VAN has lost 12 of its last 18 home games SU

* VAN has played six of its last seven home games UNDER the total

Also...

* VAN is 3-2-1 ATS in the last six meetings

* SC has won seven of the last eight meetings SU

* SC has covered four of the last six meetings as the road team

* SC has won five of the last six meetings SU as the road team

South Carolina started the season on a winning note, although the Gamecocks struggled early, as Tommy Beecher threw four interceptions. It was only when Chris Smelley got inserted into the game that the SC offense really got going, and a 34-0 shutout of North Carolina State was the result. The Gamecocks defense looks like it will once again be formidable, and was impenetrable through the air.

Vanderbilt served notice that it may surprise some, getting points against a MAC title last season and brought back 17 starters, but dominating the Redhawks in winning by three touchdowns (34-13). Quarterback Chris Nickson got the job done with his feet for the 'Dores, running for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Nickson's arm isn't going to scare SC's secondary, but his mobility can cause considerable concern for Steve Spurrier's defensive unit, which actually had some trouble containing the mobile Wilson before knocking him out of the game with an injury.

And for a change of pace, Vandy can go with Mackenzi Adams, who led the Commodores to a win at Columbia when South Carolina was #6 in the country last year. Spurrier is changing things up a little as well, as Smelley will get the start over Beecher. But doesn't get too excited about him; he led three TD drives against a tired NC State defense. And he blew his starting job by throwing five INT's in the annual spring game. And Spurrier has made it clear that the most talented QB of the trio, Stephen Garcia, is not ready to become part of the rotation.

South Carolina has been a road warrior of sorts over the last couple of seasons, going 9-2-1 ATS in that role, and has revenge on its mind for last year's 17-6 loss. But this Vanderbilt offense couldn't possibly be as disorganized as the Wolfpack squad that gained only 138 yards last Thursday. And Spurrier's team can't help but be looking ahead to next week's date against top-ranked Georgia.

We'll take Vanderbilt, the ten-point underdog in the BetUS NCAA football betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: VANDERBILT +10 **

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

(Charles Jay of www.ebookies.com gives it more than the old college try as a contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)