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Posted 09/03/2009 at 03:28 AM
South Carolina and NC State kick off the '09 campaign on ESPN, and it looks as though it should be a terrific opening game.
There's a ton of excitement in Raleigh as the Wolfpack improved tremendously last season and they might be even better this year. QB Russell Wilson is one of the best young QB's in the land, and had a mind blowing 17:1 TD:Int ratio as a freshman! That said, I think this year's Wolfpack will be better later than sooner. The running game is suspect and the defense is already minus three projected starters.
South Carolina just hasn't put it together to the level most expected when Steve Spurrier took over the program. The Gamecocks have been okay, but that's about it. I don't see things changing this year, as the offense just doesn't appear all that good. The defense is shorthanded tonight with three projected starters on suspension.
South Carolina buried NC State to open last season, wiping them out by a 34-0 margin. So there's major revenge for the hosts here. But that was factored into the opening number, and the bettors have pushed the line up a deuce from where it started.
I don't have a great feel for this game, but one thing I can tell you is that Spurrier's teams are always very well prepared for season openers, while O'Brien has sometimes been a slow starter. Also, the public will be on the favorite here because of the massive revenge factor and the pre-season hype regarding the Wolfpack. I have to think the value is with South Carolina with the number where it is.
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