While the Gamecocks allow only 14.2 points per game, their run defense has been spotty, at best. The unit gives up 149 yards on the ground per contest. LB Jasper Brinkley leads the way with 44 tackles, but expect a lot of yards from Jackson-Garrison and Nickson.

Passing the ball will be more difficult for Vanderbilt. The South Carolina secondary is solid. The intriguing match up is WR Earl Bennett vs. CB Fred Bennett. Fred Bennett is South Carolina's All-American candidate who leads the SEC in passes defended. He also has two interceptions this season. Last year, Earl Bennett torched South Carolina, catching 16 passes for 204 yards. Earl is currently the SEC's leader in receptions. Look out for the Bennetts tomorrow.

The Vanderbilt offensive line took a huge hit when starting right guard Brian Stamper was lost for the year. That caused Head Coach Bobby Johnson to shake up the line a little, and it could mean a long day for Nickson. That's why it's so imperative for the Commodores to be able to establish the run. On passing downs, keep an eye on SC defensive end Eric Norwood. The true freshman has 5.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks. Also, it should be noted that while Earl Bennett gets much of the publicity on offense, there are other Vandy receivers, such as Marlon White, capable of carrying the load. That is a deep and underrated unit.

SOUTH CAROLINA OFFENSE VS. VANDERBILT DEFENSE

On paper, South Carolina seems to have an advantage here. Of course, the game is not played on paper, and one of the story lines of this game will be how passionate and hungry Vanderbilt is after beating Georgia. Expect to see a team fired up for Homecoming and looking to gain respect. They should be hard-hitting and ferocious, but it will take more than that to slow down Gamecocks QB Syvelle Newton, who was recruited heavily by Vanderbilt several years ago.

While Earl Bennett is the most-talked about player offensively for Vanderbilt, SC's star receiver, Sidney Rice, is often under the microscope as well. He might be the most talented player on USC, but he is struggling somewhat this year. Rice has five touchdown receptions, all in one game vs. FAU. Since then, he has five catches in two ball games. Vanderbilt's defense does well against the pass, so Rice might need to step up. He abused the Commodores last year to the tune of eight catches, 132 yards, and a touchdown. The good news for USC has been the play of WR Kenny McKinley. The sophomore has emerged when Rice has been quieted.

It hasn't been all Rice's fault. The USC offensive line, which looks to start the same unit for only the third straight game, has allowed too many sacks, and that has hampered the downfield passing game. Vanderbilt must take advantage of this with talented defensive tackle Theo Horrocks getting in Newton's face and breaking up his rhythm. The Vanderbilt secondary is very young, but freshman cornerback D.J. Moore has given the coaches more than they could have expected, and he has helped stabilize the defense.

South Carolina should be able to run the ball all day against the 79th ranked rush defense of Vandy. Junior Cory Boyd had 113 yards on 25 carries against Kentucky. In a conference filled with great RBs, Boyd, who averages 5.2 yards per carry, does not get enough attention. Add Newton's 278 rushing yards to the mix, and Carolina has a dangerous RB/QB rushing duo, much like Vanderbilt. For the Commodores, LB Jonathan Goff had a huge day against Georgia, and he must come up big again to force USC to throw the ball. Vanderbilt's defense is opportunistic. They have forced 15 turnovers this season, which is one more than they forced all of last year.

Basically, Vanderbilt must find a way to stop South Carolina's running game and force Newton to pass. That is the Commodore's only chance for victory. Newton only averages 146.2 passing yards per game, and he is under pressure a lot.

SPECIAL TEAMS

South Carolina has a special teams advantage by a fairly large margin. SC's punter/kicker is Ryan Succop. He averages a terrific 45.1 yards per punt, and he has connected on 8-9 field goals, missing only a 51 yarder off an upright. SC has not returned any kicks for TDs this year.

Vanderbilt relies on a decent FG kicker, Bryant Hahnfeldt. Hahnfeldt, I'm told, is better than his numbers would indicate, but he is still only 5-9 this year, including 3-6 from 40 yards or less. Punter Brett Upson averages only 38 yards per attempt, but about 1/3 of his punts have been put inside the 20. The return game has been average for the Commodores.

PREDICTION

A bye week for South Carolina will make their offense much better as TE Andy Boyd, WR Mike West, and OG William Brown should return from injury. Carolina will run the ball at will. The Commodores are better than their record, and they are very capable of winning this game, but that can only happen if they stop the run and create turnovers in the South Carolina passing game. With Tennessee lurking for SC next week, the Gamecocks could fall into the trap of overlooking Vandy, but I don't see it happening. The Commodores have a bad habit of losing close games, and I think that happens again this week.

South Carolina 24
Vanderbilt 20