Free College Football Picks Today: Vanderbilt Commodores vs South Carolina Gamecocks 11/5/22

The South Carolina Gamecocks (5-3, 2-3 SEC) travel to take on the Vanderbilt University Commodores (3-5, 0-4 SEC), who will be hoping to halt their losing run, at FirstBank Stadium on Saturday. The Gamecocks are seven-point favorites, and the total is 48.5. South Carolina is coming off a 23-10 loss against Missouri at Williams-Brice Stadium last Saturday.

Spencer Rattler was 20 of 30 for 171 yards and an interception. MarShawn Lloyd ran seven times for 30 yards. Austin Stogner caught four passes for 63 yards. Vanderbilt dropped a fourth straight game on October 22, falling 17-14 to Missouri at Memorial Stadium at Faurot Field. Mike Wright threw for 242 yards and a touchdown. Ray Davis carried 15 times for 28 yards. Gamarion Carter scored once. He had one reception for 80 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Gamecocks won the only game between the teams last season, a 21-20 victory in October, their fifth straight win against Vanderbilt. Luke Doty threw two touchdowns for South Carolina.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Gamecocks are averaging 30.3 points per game for the season, 61st in FBS, and they are facing a Commodores defense that has surrendered 36.6 PPG (124th). Meanwhile, Vanderbilt has scored 26.6 points a game this season, 83rd in the country, and South Carolina is allowing 24.6 PPG (59th).

The Gamecocks rank 83rd in the nation in passing yards per game (225.4) and 98th in rushing (127.5). They have an advantageous matchup through the air, as the Commodores are 130th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (317.8). Against the run, Vanderbilt is 82nd (152.8).

Vanderbilt is 103rd in the country in passing yards per game (202.6) and 80th in rushing (138.4), while the Gamecocks are allowing 196.4 passing yards (31st) and 165.0 rushing yards per game (95th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through eight games, Spencer Rattler has thrown for five touchdowns (9 INT) and 204.6 yards per game to lead South Carolina in passing. In two away games this season, he has two TDs (2 INT) and an average of 277.0 yards passing. MarShawn Lloyd leads the team in rushing with an average of 69.5 yards a game over eight games. He has nine touchdowns on the ground.

Antwane Wells Jr. is the Gamecocks’ leading receiver with 66.3 yards a game and two TDs. AJ Swann has eight passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 152.6 yards per game through seven games to lead Vanderbilt. In two home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs and an average of 213.5 yards.

Ray Davis has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 70.5 yards a game through eight games. He has six total touchdowns, four rushing and two receiving. Will Sheppard has been a key target in the Commodores’ passing game. He has eight touchdowns and a 65.6 yard per game average through eight appearances.