The Georgia State Panthers and South Carolina Gamecocks open their 2022 seasons in Columbia Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Georgia State vs. South Carolina odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
South Carolina mainly used 3 different quarterbacks during last season’s 7-6 campaign, which included a 38-21 victory over North Carolina in the Dukes Mayo Bowl. As for 2022, the Gamecocks come into the season with a true starting QB in Oklahoma transfer Spencer Rattler. Coach Shane Beamer has familiarity with Rattler as he was an assistant head coach with the Sooners before taking the Gamecocks job before the 2021 season.
Both player and coach are hoping Rattler can rejuvenate a career that took a downturn last season when the QB was benched at Oklahoma. This Week 1 matchup against Georgia State is just what the doctor ordered for South Carolina to get off to a good start.
Georgia State returns to the field after an 8-5 season. Since joining the FBS level in 2013, the Panthers, first under coach Bill Curry and now under coach Shawn Elliott, have been a model of consistency. Finishing near the middle or top of the Sun Belt Conference is far different than going into Columbia and beating South Carolina though. This means a close game might not be in the cards here.