Opening Week College Football

 

Vanderbilt vs South Carolina

 

Just days away.....And Vanderbilt welcomes the Game Cocks to Nashville.

 

 Early SEC matchup that two or three years ago would have been a snoozer. Now, both teams have high hopes. South Carolina looking to get back to an SEC Championship, and Vanderbilt looking to make some noise in conference play and get back to a bowl game.

 

 Here in Nashville the buzz is at an all time high for Vandy. That's all I am hearing around town. "Look out!!! Vanderbilt is ready!!" This is amazing to me. I never thought in the years of living in Tennessee that I would hear Vandy fans talking trash. It is actually very entertaining. I have never seen fans this hyped for Vanderbilt Football. Coach Franklin has done a great job at making the fans believe, but the question I am asking, "are the players buying into it?".

 

 We are going to get a great look at just where Vanderbilt is and where they might be going.

 

 Weather will be a factor. Rain is expected Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, thanks to tropical storm Isaac. Conditions may be pretty sloppy. This may be an advantage for Vanderbilt.

 

 South Carolina is pretty anxious too. They are still waiting to see if Marcus Lattimore can return from injury and be 100%. Another storyline that fans are following is Connor Shaw and how well he plays without the shadow of former Qb Garcia hanging over him. Steve Spurrier seems to be pretty comfortable with Shaw. Spurrier hasn't taken his Qb to SEC media days is years. This year he made an appearance and Spurrier has said he is confident in his Qb.

 

 Vanderbilt has the homefield advantage but still has its work cut out for them. And Vanderbilt has given South Carolina problems before, but I feel the depth will be the biggest factor in this one. Vanderbilt is getting better but they still don't have the depth they need to compete week in and week out in the SEC. South Carolina has a very good defensive line and will be in Vandy's backfield all game long.

 

 I would love to make a bold pick in this one and say Vanderbilt will pull off the upset but I don't think Vandy can play four quarters with S. Carolina. It will be close for a half, but depth will show and the Game Cocks will win this one. I am feeling like a 30-17 game.  It will be a great game to kick off the season.

  Facebook page is up and going. Check it out, where I will post poll questions and also answer reader questions. Matchups to follow this week, N.C. State vs Tennessee,  Alabama vs Michigan, and Clemson vs Auburn. Great matchups to kick off the season. Check back for more updates. And be sure to check out poll questions at www.facebook.com/Collegefootball2day  Reader questions can be posted there or sent to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com