South Carolina Gamecocks vs Louisiana State Tigers Picks and Predictions September 14th 2024

Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia is the site for this week three matchup between the LSU Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks. Kick-off is set for 12:00 ET, with ABC handling the television broadcast. The Tigers are favored by -7 points, and the over/under line is currently 50.5 points. South Carolina comes in at 2-0, while LSU is 1-1 on the season.

LSU vs. South Carolina Key Information

• Teams: Tigers at Gamecocks
• Where: Williams-Brice Stadium Columbia
• Date: Saturday, September 14th
• Betting Odds LSU -271 | SC +217 O/U 50.5

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The Tigers Can Win If…

LSU is now 1-1 after their 44-21 victory over Nicholls at home. This game did not have any betting lines available.

The Tigers trailed 7-9 after the first quarter but took control in the second, outscoring Nicholls 23-14 to take a 23-14 lead at halftime. LSU extended their lead to 44-21 by the end of the game, with their defense shutting out Nicholls in the second half.

LSU’s offense was led by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who threw for 302 yards and six touchdowns, completing 73% of his passes. The Tigers’ offense put up 378 total yards, with Nussmeier connecting for 314 yards through the air. Nussmeier’s passer rating for the game was 136.49.

LSU’s passing game was bolstered by CJ Daniels, who caught four passes for 71 yards. The Tigers’ offense moved the chains 24 times, with Nussmeier throwing six touchdown passes and no interceptions.

LSU’s defense will be looking to improve after allowing 176 rushing yards and two touchdowns to Nicholls. Overall, they gave up 321 total yards, with Nicholls completing 16 of 22 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown. The Tigers’ defense will need to focus on stopping the run and tightening up their secondary in the upcoming game.

• Through their last three games, the LSU Tigers have a record of 2-1. However, they have only gone 0-3 vs. the spread over this stretch. Their over-under record in these three games was 2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the LSU Tigers have gone 8-2 straight up. In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 6-4 and an over-under mark of 8-2.

The Gamecocks Can Win If…

South Carolina is now 2-0 after their 31-6 road win over Kentucky. The Gamecocks, who were +9.5 point underdogs, not only won the game but also covered the spread. This was a big road win for South Carolina, as it was also a win within the Southeastern Conference. The over/under line for the game was 41.5 points, but the total score was just 37, resulting in the under hitting.

South Carolina took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but Kentucky fought back to make it 10-6 at halftime. The Gamecocks dominated the second half, shutting out Kentucky in the third quarter and scoring 14 points of their own. In the fourth quarter, South Carolina added another 7 points to secure the win.

South Carolina’s offense was efficient in their 31-6 win over Kentucky, with LaNorris Sellers throwing for 159 yards and two touchdowns while completing 73.3% of his passes. Mazeo Bennett Jr. was the top receiver, catching three passes for 63 yards.

The Gamecocks finished with 255 yards of total offense, with 166 yards coming through the air. On the ground, South Carolina managed just 89 yards, but Raheim Sanders contributed 54 yards on 13 carries and added a rushing touchdown.

South Carolina’s defense was dominant in their most recent game, holding Kentucky to just 44 passing yards on 6 completions. The Gamecocks picked off two passes and limited Kentucky to 139 rushing yards on 46 attempts. Overall, South Carolina allowed just 183 total yards and no touchdowns in their 31-6 win.

• The South Carolina Gamecocks have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. Across these games, they have put together an ATS mark of 1-2 as well as an over-under record of 0-3.
• The South Carolina Gamecocks have gone 7-3 over their last ten regular season games. In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 6-4 on the over-under.

The Lean

LSU is favored by -7 points in their week three matchup against South Carolina, and we have a projected final score of 25-21 in favor of the Tigers. However, we like South Carolina to cover the spread as the underdog.

With the over/under line set at 50.5 points, our projection of 46 points suggests that taking the under is the best play for this game.

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No. 16 LSU Aims for Eighth Straight Win Over South Carolina in SEC Showdown

No. 16 LSU (1-1) heads into a pivotal SEC clash against South Carolina (2-0, 1-0 SEC) this Saturday in Columbia, S.C., aiming for its eighth consecutive win over the Gamecocks. Both teams are seeking consistency as they prepare for a high-stakes matchup under the national spotlight.

LSU Looking to Build Momentum

Rebounding from Early Setbacks

LSU’s season opener ended in a 27-20 loss to Southern California, but the Tigers bounced back with a 44-21 victory over Nicholls. Despite the win, LSU head coach Brian Kelly recognizes that there’s room for improvement, especially after leading Nicholls by just two points in the third quarter before pulling away late.

Heading into their first true road test, Kelly is confident in his team’s ability to handle the pressure:

“There are a lot of guys that have played on the road and know what it takes to win,” Kelly said. “It requires focus and understanding that you’re in it every single play.”

Garrett Nussmeier Leading the Way

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has been a standout for LSU, tying for the national lead with eight touchdown passes through two games. Six of those touchdowns came in LSU’s dominant win over Nicholls. As Nussmeier prepares for his first road start, Kelly believes his quarterback is poised to keep LSU’s offense firing on all cylinders.

“If people want to keep playing us the way they are (focusing on the run), [Nussmeier] is a very good passer, and we have a lot of receivers,” Kelly noted.

Kyren Lacy, Nussmeier’s top target, has emerged as a key playmaker, leading the nation with four touchdown receptions.

South Carolina’s Strong Start

Impressive SEC Opener

South Carolina has impressed so far, opening its season with a narrow 23-19 win over Old Dominion, followed by a commanding 31-6 victory at Kentucky. The Gamecocks are looking to break a seven-game losing streak to LSU, but head coach Shane Beamer is more focused on maintaining momentum than past results.

“It’s not about worrying about what anybody’s saying,” Beamer said. “We just have to continue to work and continue to get better—just worry about what we can control.”

With ESPN’s College Gameday in town, Beamer knows his team will be in the national spotlight, but he’s urging his players to stay grounded and focused.

“The key for us Saturday is we have to handle success the right way,” Beamer said. “We need to make sure that we’re handling the distractions and not get caught up in the national spotlight.”

After making your picks, it's key to understand how odds impact your winnings. Check out our NCAAF Odds page for more details.

Key Players to Watch

Garrett Nussmeier (LSU QB)

Nussmeier’s ability to stretch the field will be critical in this matchup. Leading the nation in touchdown passes (8), Nussmeier will look to exploit South Carolina’s secondary, relying on his top receiver Kyren Lacy, who is tied for the national lead in touchdown receptions.

South Carolina Defense

South Carolina’s defense stifled Kentucky’s offense in their SEC opener, and the Gamecocks will need a similar performance to keep LSU’s high-powered passing attack in check. Applying pressure on Nussmeier will be key if they hope to disrupt LSU’s offensive rhythm.

Kyren Lacy (LSU WR)

Emerging as Nussmeier’s go-to target, Lacy has four touchdown receptions in just two games. His ability to make big plays will be vital for LSU, especially if South Carolina focuses on stopping the run.

What’s at Stake

LSU’s Dominance

LSU is looking to extend its winning streak over South Carolina to eight games, dating back to their last loss in 1994. A win would not only continue their dominance in the series but also help solidify their standing in the SEC as they prepare for the heart of their conference schedule.

South Carolina’s Momentum

For South Carolina, a victory would further validate their early-season success and mark a significant step forward under Shane Beamer. The Gamecocks have shown promise in their first two games, and a win over a ranked opponent like LSU would send a message to the rest of the SEC.